New Zealand symposium on food safety
First session of the New Zealand Food Safety Science & Research Centre annual symposium is a webinar on chemical contaminants in food; presentation on New Zealand-wide project to study impacts of microplastics on human health and natural resources; new project developing guidelines to help food industry navigate the use of food packaging containing recycled material
New tool to evaluate EDC science
Collaboration of international scientists develop SYRINA framework for reviewing and assessing studies on endocrine disruptors; urge regulators to use these new methods for decision-making
Unwanted chemicals in processed food
Washington Post reports on study linking high fast food consumption to increased urinary phthalate levels, discusses chemical contamination of highly processed and packaged foods
Another step towards a UN plastics treaty
Peru and Rwanda introduce a draft resolution to negotiate a global plastic pollution treaty at the inaugural United Nations Ministerial Conference on marine litter and plastic pollution; 33 countries sign on as co-sponsors; more than 80 other nations support a UN resolution on plastics
EFSA BPA assessment protocol: 2nd meeting
EFSA’s CEF Panel Working Group on BPA assessment protocol holds second meeting on the safety reevaluation of BPA; meeting minutes available online
Epidemiology of mixtures: Xenoestrogens and breast cancer
Scientists find strong association between breast cancer risk and total burden of xenoestrogens; in contrast, individual compounds show only weak associations, if any
New book on global FCM legislation
Publication provides overview of food contact legislation worldwide, includes chapters for specific FCMs such as plastics, regenerated cellulose, rubber, paper and card
Study shows oral BPA intake to be of no risk for high exposures
Soup consumption did not lead to higher levels of the active form of BPA in blood of human volunteers, BPA eliminated in urine within 24 hours
New EFSA plastics recycling working group: 1st meeting
EFSA’s CEP Panel working group on recycling plastics holds 1st meeting; minutes now available online