Scientific report on wax moth caterpillars munching polyethylene bags sparks hope for new solution to plastic pollution; closer look highlights long way ahead of transition from discovery to practice
EFSA stakeholder workshop on small particles and nanoparticles in food
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) presentations provide guidance on small particles in food and feed applications (i) evaluating the potential presence of particles in ‘conventional’ materials and (ii) how to perform nano-specific risk assessment; stakeholders share experience and discuss practices to implement guidance cost-effectively
Consensus on definition of low dose hypothesis needed
Summary article of 2012 Berlin low dose workshop shares workshop proceedings, consensus and disagreements, and shows proposed next steps required to advance risk assessment of EDCs
PFAAs and DDE may affect thyroid hormone levels
Prenatal exposure to PFAAs and DDE may be associated with T4 levels in infants, Dutch study shows
Digital platform tracks recycled plastics
Industry association launches online platform to support plastic converter industry in tracking use of recycled polymers in products; aims to expand to more EU languages, add additional modules
Denmark limits fluorocarbons in food packaging
Danish Minister of the Environment and Food recommends lowered limit for fluorocarbons in food contact materials
Plastic chemicals affect children’s health
Two new scientific studies making headlines, one linking BPA to childhood obesity, the other links the phthalate DEHP to insulin resistance
Photoinitiators in FCMs
New in-depth review article discusses photoinitiators used in UV inks applied to FCMs, migration into food covered
New scientific study compares migrants, toxicity of glass and PET
French researchers find migrants from PET, glass into bottled waters and test for mutagenicity, cytotoxicity and endocrine disruption
Olive leaf polyphenols may be effective against BPA-induced toxicity
Oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol from olive leaves may protect from BPA-induced toxic effects in livers and kidneys