European Commission and EU Member States agree to launch an EU Enforcement Action Plan on bamboo powder-containing plastic food contact materials (FCMs) to ensure that bamboo and other illegal plant-based additives are not marketed in the EU
FSANZ: No risk from food packaging chemicals
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) completes assessment of chemical migration from packaging into food, finds exposures ‘low and unlikely to pose a public health and safety concern,’ plans to develop information guide for businesses to support risk management
Belgium: Regulation on coatings
Belgium passes Royal Decree on varnishes and coatings intended to come into contact with foodstuffs
Replacing sticker labels with laser marks
Article in The Guardian informs about laser marking technique for fruit and vegetables; retail trial using technology as alternative to sticker labels on organic produce
IPEN webinar discusses interdisciplinary issues underlying microplastic pollution
International Pollution Elimination Network (IPEN) webinar explores issues beyond microplastic pollution into the relationship between the plastics supply chain, hazardous chemicals, and policy; speaker argues we need accurate descriptors of the problems around plastics if we are to create solutions; recording available in English, Chinese, Spanish, Arabic, French, and Russian
Harmonizing FCM regulation
Conclusions of Luxembourg conference on FCMs published; harmonization of FCM regulation at EU level desired, improvement of risk assessments and declarations of compliance needed
Scientists measure mixtures of EDCs from human placenta
Study by the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) finds chemical mixture extracts from human placenta with endocrine-disrupting properties, confirming developmental exposure to EDCs in the womb; novel method can help identify the link between chemical exposures and harmful human health outcomes
2023 FPF Workshop: Assessing and implementing safe and sustainable FCMs
In the afternoon of the Food Packaging Forum’s 11th annual workshop, speakers shared businesses experiences on the path towards more safe and sustainable food packaging; five talks and one panel discussion present opportunities, challenges, and case studies; representatives from several large international businesses shared approaches their organizations use to respond to safety and sustainability challenges; reusable packaging founders discuss the unique issues of changing the food packaging field
Immediate ban on foamware announced by Lagos State, Nigeria
Nigerian states of Lagos and Abia ban single-use polystyrene foam packaging “with immediate effect”; give three weeks to use up current stock; other single use plastic products will be targeted later in 2024; federal Ministry of Environment also banning single-use plastics at headquarters and agencies
Effects of EDC-mixtures in children
EU research project EDC-MixRisk investigates effects of EDC-mixtures in children; aims to contribute to safe regulation of EDCs in the EU