Ministries in Japan announce 15 new substances as priority assessment substances, 6 of which known to be used in food contact materials; requires annual reporting for import and manufacture
Melamine’s effects beyond kidney
Scoping review identifies potential health effects of melamine other than renal damage, including impacts on neurological functions, behavior, reproduction, and growth
California identifies candidate substance groups
Department of Toxic Substances Control announces candidate groups of substances used in food packaging to be priority products under Safe Consumer Products program; includes BPA and alternatives, PFAS, and ortho-phthalates; two additional workshops scheduled in November and January to discuss chemicals, answer open questions
EFSA EREN: Identifying emerging risks
Overview article describes outcomes of EFSA’s emerging risks exchange network (EREN) from 2010-2014, strategy for dealing with emerging risks in food safety
‘Essential use’ concept to aid PFAS phase-out
Scientists propose ‘essential use’ concept to accelerate phase-out of PFAS; trade association highlights ‘flawed assumptions’
Governments create website compiling EDCs across EU
Government agencies from six EU member states launch new website containing sets of substances identified as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) or currently under review for ED properties; separated into three sets recognized on the EU level, national level, or currently under review
ChemSec list identifies 249 new Substances of Very High Concern
ChemSec publishes updated Substitute it now! List 2.1, 33 substances also authorized for plastic food contact materials in Europe
BfR supports work on EDC guidance document
German Institute for Risk Assessment makes recommendations on methods to identify endocrine disruptors, supports EFSA and ECHA in developing guidance to implement EDC criteria
How pregnant women can reduce toxic chemical exposure
NGO blog gives guidance for pregnant women on how to avoid toxic chemicals, addresses food contact materials