Beverage carton and flexible packaging industry groups call for harmonized, EU-wide legislation for all types of food contact materials
Scientists detect microplastics in amniotic fluid, effects on testicular aging
Two studies investigate microplastic presence or effects in female and male reproductive organs; small cohort study finds low number of microplastics to be present in human amniotic fluid besides the placenta; in vitro and mice in vivo study reports microplastics induce premature testicular aging and identifies underlying pathways
Overview of Latin American FCM regulations
Law firm Keller and Heckman LLP summarizes existing regulations governing food contact materials for many countries in South America
Freely available dataset for 3D in silico modeling
Freely available 3D database of food additives, first step towards a more efficient in silico screening of chemicals
ENVI committee adopts resolution on chemicals strategy
Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) Committee of European Parliament passes resolution calling for upcoming chemicals strategy to fully apply precautionary and polluter-pays principles; resulting legislation should address and minimize endocrine disrupting and other hazardous chemicals in products including food packaging and recycled materials
ECHA consults on potential SVHCs
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) opens public consultation on the identification of dioctyltin dilaurate and stannane, dioctyl-, bis(coco acyloxy) derivatives as substances of very high concern (SVHCs) due to reproductive toxicity; comments accepted until October 16, 2020
New FCM regulations in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia presents two draft regulations for FCMs; covering metal, glass, paper, carton, multilayered textile, wood, and plastics
Limited use of phthalates in medicines, no risks from parabens
European Medicines Agency publishes draft guideline on the use of phthalates and parabens
Contamination found in paper straws
Swiss government laboratory tests paper drinking straws purchased from grocery stores and restaurants; finds chloropropanols, mineral oils, photoinitiators
Opinion: BPA in food packaging should be illegal
Member of European Parliament suggests banning bisphenol A due to findings of French study