The French senate adopted a legal proposition which would ban Bisphenol A in food packaging designated for children under three years of age. All other packaging intended to come into contact with food would have to state that this product is not suitable for pregnant women and children under three. The amendments made by the senate require now adoption by the French National Assembly.
Plastic tea bags release billions of particles
Researchers measure micro- and nanoplastics released from plastic tea bags during brewing; find over 14 billion particles released per bag, record dose-dependent behavioral and developmental effects on daphnia
Chemical co-exposure increases cancer risk
Epoch Times reports on a study showing interactive toxic effect of arsenic and environmental estrogens, co-exposure increases cancer risks compared to single chemical exposure
Philippines House passes Single-use Plastic Products Regulation Act
House Bill 9147 would ban single-use plastic tableware within four years and drinking straws, stirrers, candy sticks, bags thinner than ten microns, and other small single-use plastics within one year; bill must now pass the country’s Senate in order to become law
EFSA reviews glass fiber-sizing agents and perfluoromethyl perfluorovinylether in FCMs
EFSA’s CEF Panel publishes scientific opinions considering both applications safe for use in food contact materials
Perchlorate found on European fruit and vegetables
German TV channel analyzes European food samples for chemical contaminant perchlorate, authorized for food contact in the US
Can phthalates make you fat?
New study investigates metabolic effects of DEHP exposure in mice in vivo and in vitro; increased weight gain and fat mass, impaired insulin tolerance and changes in serum metabolites observed
Metals in paints on chopsticks
Scientists investigate metals in paints on chopsticks; total concentrations variable with some high values reported, resulting in ‘unacceptable’ health risks for exposure due to incidental paint ingestion or metal migration into food
UK to “overhaul” its waste system
UK government announces plans to make major changes to waste system; considers introducing extended producer responsibility, plastic tax, defined materials for recycling, deposit return scheme