Celebrating the first ever World Food Safety Day, EFSA publishes results of EU consumer survey on food safety, BfR holds event on microplastics
Guide for assessing health risks
German Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) publishes guideline for assessment of health risks, outlining adopted procedures; transparency on risk assessment is crucial component of risk communication
Microplastics measured in human blood and mouse brains
First human biomonitoring study encounters plastic particles of four different polymer types in human blood; in vivo study reports polystyrene nanoparticles pass blood-brain barrier and induce neurotoxicity in mice; review summarizes plastic particle and titanium dioxide impacts on human gut epithelial integrity, gut homeostasis, and intestinal inflammation
Reactions to EU EDC criteria
Industry, environment and health groups, as well as science community mostly express criticism and disappointment over European Commission’s proposal for EDC criteria
Scientists reach consensus on EDCs
Scientists agree that potency should not be included in the EU’s criteria for EDCs; NGOs call on European Commission to adopt scientific consensus and release EDC criteria promptly
New FPF report: Flame retardants detected in FCMs
Czech researchers find brominated flame retardants in food contact materials due to illicit recycling practices
EFSA updates HBCDDs risk assessment
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) publishes update on risk assessment of hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDDs); results support conclusion that dietary exposure in EU not a health concern except for breastfed children; panel will consider mixture approach once risk assessments of all groups of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) updated
Opinion: EDC decision matrix not suitable
CHEM Trust analyzes “option 4b” to identify EDCs as proposed by German risk assessment institute and considers method as not adequate to set EDC criteria
Lower PAH concentrations recommended
German Federal Office for Risk Assessment (BfR) recommending polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentration of < 0.2 mg/kg in consumer products; criteria to inform voluntary safety standard
Barbecuing chicken on beer cans is risky
German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment advises against beer chicken, migration of printing inks and coatings