European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) adds nine chemicals to the Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHC); six have been listed for intentional use or measured in food contact articles; listing obligates producers and suppliers to provide safety information and to notify ECHA; candidate list now contains 233 substances
EFSA assesses 2 FCM substances
EFSA’s CEF Panel considers ground sunflower seed hulls and diethyl[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]methyl]phosphonate safe for use in food contact materials under certain conditions
Switzerland strengthens FCM regulation
Switzerland amends FCM regulation to better align with EU provisions; specifies bans and specific migration limits for epoxy derivatives, prohibits BPA migration from varnished or coated FCMs in products for young children
US FDA adds seven new substances to FCS inventory
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) adds seven new entries to its Inventory of Effective Food Contact Substance (FCS) Notifications
Oligomer migration from PET and Tritan™
Scientists find cyclic polyethylene terephthalate (PET) oligomers migrate into fatty food simulants but not olive oil; levels higher from recycled compared to virgin PET; comprehensive extraction and migration experiments of Tritan™ products find oligomer migration from bottles of no toxicological concern but microwaveable containers were non-suitable for food heating
Risk assessment for styrene oligomers
Risk assessment based on TTC and FACET methodology finds low risk for styrene dimers and trimers migrating from polystyrene food containers
India plans to test FCMs for BPA
Government authority announces planned survey of food contact materials (FCMs) to test for presence of bisphenol A (BPA); results to be used to develop regulatory framework including maximum allowable content, leaching limits, tolerable daily intake
IARC: melamine possibly carcinogenic
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies melamine as possibly carcinogenic to humans
Measures to limit chemical migration from recycled paperboard
Review identifies and discusses three approaches to limit chemical migration from recycled paperboard to make it acceptable for food applications; considers internal bags with an incorporated barrier, barrier layers, and functional sorbents added to the board; study on migration from paper cups identifies exposures to vanadium and fluoride
FPF comments on FCCs under review for REACH Candidate List
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is reviewing five food contact chemicals (FCCs) for possible inclusion on the REACH Candidate List of SVHCs; Food Packaging Forum (FPF) shares information on where the FCCs have been measured in food contact; two are on the EU positive list for chemicals in plastic food contact materials; FCCs under consideration for SVHC status and allowed in FCMs highlights need to create stronger connection between FCM regulation and REACH