New scientific study finds that in certain cases migration studies can be substituted by solubility measurements; modified OECD method shows solubility of select antioxidants, UV stabilizers in some food simulants is below SMLs
Predicting toxic effects of chemicals
Computational method developed to predict toxic effects of everyday chemicals in human individuals and populations; crowd-sourced study integrates findings from many different laboratories to build more robust model
New findings on polyfluorinated compounds
German Institute of Risk Assessment discusses polyfluorinated compounds at conference
EU Commission discusses EDCs with stakeholders
EC launched series of roundtable meetings in Brussels to discuss responses to public consultation on EDC criteria
European Parliament sends clear message to European Commission to act on EDCs
ENVI Committee of the European Parliament adopts DRAFT report on endocrine disruptors
ECHA proposes not approving 4 silver compounds in FCMs
European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) Biocidal Products Committee (BPC) announces opinion not approving silver compounds for application in food contact materials (FCMs); includes silver zinc zeolite, silver zeolite, silver copper zeolite, silver sodium hydrogen zirconium phosphate; finds risk unacceptable for human health; next meeting scheduled in June 2021
FPF submits feedback on packaging and packaging waste regulation
Food Packaging Forum (FPF) responds to European Commission’s call for feedback on the proposed packaging and packaging waste regulation (PPWR); FPF highlights aspects of food packaging and chemical safety that should be included in future versions; primarily (i) considering presence of hazardous chemicals in packaging materials meant to be recycled or reused, (ii) clearly defining compostable packaging and guaranteeing safety, and (iii) defining inertness
Comparing EU and Chinese FCM policy
News provider and consultancy ChemLinked publishes article comparing Chinese and European food contact material (FCM) policies
ECHA committees adopt opinions on DMF, siloxanes
European Chemicals Agency committees for socio-economic analysis (SEAC) and risk assessment (RAC) adopt final opinions on restriction proposals for DMF, D4, D5, D6; opinions to be made publicly available soon
EDF's advice for new FDA commissioner on chemicals
Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) suggests how new US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) commissioner can better address toxic chemicals in food; calls for systematic and regular reviews to update older assessments, follow Congressional mandate to consider cumulative effects, prohibit perchlorate, lead, and ortho-phthalates from food contact materials