McKinsey report investigates consumers’ attitudes toward sustainability in food packaging; finds hygiene & food safety, as well as shelf life are most important aspects to consumers; consumers think compostable and plant-based packaging is the most sustainable, metal containers among least sustainable
Analysis of chemically non-compliant products
European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) analyzes European RAPEX database on non-food products, finds 92% of tested and non-compliant REACH chemicals found in products were imported from outside of Europe; calls for improved enforcement and tools
Identifying Opportunities to Understand, Control, and Prevent Exposure to PFAS
FPF Workshop 2018: Assessing the safety of food packaging
Experts identify challenges for risk assessment and management of food contact chemicals, present toxicity tests and analytical tools for safer food packaging
FPF Workshop 2018: Predictions and decisions
Karim Bschir from ETH Zurich argues that quality of science-based predictions does not by itself guarantee for good decisions because decisions are influenced by value preferences; values should be explicitly communicated and openly discussed by science community
UN adopts ecosystem accounting framework
United Nation Statistical Commission formally adopts framework aimed to account for the presence and quality of ecosystem assets within different countries; defines five ecosystem accounts, aims to expand global policymaking focus beyond just considering metrics such as gross domestic product (GDP) to ‘make nature count’
Workshop on Risk Assessment and Management for Food Contact Materials (FCM)
Life cycle analysis of marine litter
Industry-sponsored workshop brings together experts in marine biology and life cycle analysis for studying marine litter to select ‘best possible design and stewardship options’
Definition and criteria for PSLT substances
Published report presents workshop outcomes; participants agree on definition for poorly soluble low toxicity (PSLT) particles, including titanium dioxide (TiO2); authors call for regulators to reassess current guidelines