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
Diabetes: 422 million cases worldwide
Diabetes prevalence has increased worldwide between 1980 and 2014, according to new WHO study; article discusses range of chemicals potentially linked to diabetes and obesity
PFOA in drinking water
New report by Environmental Working Group suggests that exposure to PFOA might not be safe at any level
FDA: BPA is safe for use in food contact applications
U.S. FDA updated its safety declaration on BPA, current exposure levels via food are safe
FDA sued over GRAS program
NGO sues FDA over GRAS notification process, success would force FDA to revert back to pre-1997 rules
South Korea implementing deposit scheme for disposable cups
South Korean Ministry of Environment announces disposable cups from chain cafes and fast-food restaurants will have 300 KRW deposit beginning June 10, 2022; applies to chains with more than 100 branches, 38,000 stores total; plan includes production standards for plastic and paper cups to ensure recyclability; part of South Korea’s 2050 carbon neutrality goal
Draft CLARITY-BPA report published
U.S. National Toxicology Program releases draft report on CLARITY-BPA study; deadline for comments is April 12, 2018; meeting for peer-review scheduled for April 26, 2018
ACC opinion: U.S. government research supports BPA safety
In-depth studies conducted by the U.S. federal government show it is unlikely that BPA could cause health effects in humans
Guidance for risk assessment of FCMs
EFSA’s proposal for new exposure estimates and next steps explained during 2nd International Conference on Food & Beverage Packaging in Rome
Artificial photosynthesis for making bioplastics?
US scientists develop new artificial photosynthesis system that can convert carbon dioxide into chemical products, potentially including biodegradable plastics