EFSA’s CEP Panel working group on food contact materials holds 1st meeting; minutes now available online
PlasticsEurope comments on official French BPA report
PlasticsEurope is concerned about the conclusions of the French Food Safety Authority report
Survey shows European consumers lack information about food contact articles
European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) surveys EU consumers on experience, knowledge, and attitude on food packaging; consumers feel under informed; 90% of consumers support stricter rules to prevent health effects; recommends overhaul of EU food contact policies
Workshop and webinar on Polymark project
EU research project Polymark presents new polymer sorting technology in workshop to take place on March 15, 2017 in Brussels
Infertility and synthetic chemicals
Epoch Times links male infertility to synthetic chemicals; triclosan affects sperm’s sense of orientation
Review investigates challenges of assessing NIAS in plastic FCMs
Literature review summarizes challenges regarding non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) in plastic food contact materials (FCMs); describes 52 studies with their applied methodologies for NIAS extraction and identification, plastic types analyzed, and NIAS detected; highlights NIAS assessment as a challenge for scientific community and industry due to lack of hazard data, a missing harmonized methodology, and outdated regulatory guidelines
EFSA BPA assessment protocol: 12th meeting
EFSA’s CEF Panel Working Group on BPA assessment protocol holds twelfth meeting on the reevaluation of BPA safety; meeting minutes available online
EU working group on FCMs: Meeting minutes
EU Commission’s working group on FCMs discusses fluorinated substances in food packaging, supply chain survey, roadmap for evaluating FCM framework regulation, monitoring of mineral oils, Union Measure on printed FCMs
Microplastics in compost
New study finds microplastic particles in compost from supermarket and household waste; plastic fragments most likely remnants of food packaging; potential source of microplastic contamination in soil and freshwater
Controversy about advice to pregnant women manufactured
NGO Health & Environment reports on reaction to US and UK medical advice to pregnant women on chemical exposures