Australian start-up creates reusable coffee cups from husk waste accumulating during coffee processing; cups intended for café and home environments as alternative to ceramics and single-use disposable cups
Opinion: FDA study on BPA receives unjustified criticism
Forbes reports on FDA publication finding BPA safe and opposes subsequent Mother Jones article arguing that FDA study borders on scientific misconduct
Opportunities for plastic FCM manufacturers
Plastic food contact industry meets to discuss plastics recycling, NIAS, risk assessment and chemicals of concern in FCMs
Opinion: Glaring loophole in FDA food contact legislation
PolicyMic reports on the National Resources Defense Council report on GRAS, considers GRAS gaping loophole in US food and food contact regulation
Loopholes in U.S. food additives regulation
U.S. Senator questions FDA’s oversight of food and beverage ingredients “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS)
Immunotoxicity testing for FCM assessment
FDA scientists review currently available tools, discuss how they might be used for developmental immunotoxicity assessment of food contact materials
Scientists find phthalates impact development of boys more than girls
Biomonitoring study reports association between maternal phthalate exposure and 24-month-old boy emotional/behavioral problems; short review discusses teratogenic effect and calls for health policies; research article detects phthalates in wide range of US foods, indicates phthalate migration from food processing equipment; review evaluates gas chromatography-based approaches to measure phthalates in aqueous and solid foods
Immunomodulatory effects of EDCs
Scientists review studies reporting that some endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can affect development and functions of human immune cells; consequences include altered responses to infections and development of immune related diseases; food contact material (FCM)-relevant immunomodulatory EDCs include bisphenols, phthalates, triclosan
Lead in U.S. baby food
New study by Environmental Defense Fund finds U.S. baby foods more frequently contaminated with lead than regular non-baby foods, urges FDA and manufacturers to reduce children’s exposure to lead
Natural Resources Defense Council sues US FDA for failing to regulate chemical used in soaps
The Natural Resources Defense Council will be able to prove the danger of triclosan before the New York court