Paper in Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering analyzes sources of chemical losses throughout the chemical life cycle, suggests approaches to improve chemical circularity; losses include fugitive emissions in manufacturing, dissipation in field use, impurities and regulatory incompatibility interfering with recycling; propose two changes to chemical assessments to guide sustainable production and use
EC sets limit on MOAH in foods
European Commission sets recommended limits on mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbon (MOAH) contamination in food, effective immediately; Limits not currently binding, up to Member States to enforce; action follows December 2021 civil society investigation into levels of MOAH in foods on the European market
NGO alliance calls on US FDA to update regulations
NGOs in the United States including Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Earth Justice, and the Environmental Defense Fund, launch campaign calling on the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to update its rules about chemicals present in food packaging; new campaign targets heavy metals, PFAS, phthalates, and perchlorate
Thailand publishes new standards for food contact plastics
Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) officially publishes standards for plastic utensils and microwaveable containers that come into contact with food; standards set migration limits for plastic food contact materials and defines how compliant packaging must be tested and marked; new standards effective January 3, 2023; improperly marked food contact articles will not be allowed on the market after the effective date
Infertility and synthetic chemicals
Epoch Times links male infertility to synthetic chemicals; triclosan affects sperm’s sense of orientation
Advancing recycling of paper cups
Industry initiative “Paper Cup Manifesto” aims to improve recovery and recycling of paper cups
European Parliament passes resolution on chemicals strategy
Calls for ‘one substance – one hazard assessment’ principle, specific provisions for endocrine disrupting chemicals in food contact materials to be treated similar to substances that are carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic to reproduction
Japan proposes ban of 138 PFOA-related substances, revises food contact testing standards
Japanese ministries propose ban on 138 PFOA-related substances; will be classified as class I compounds; public consultation closes on October 9, 2024, ban will come into force on January 10, 2025; authorities revise testing standards, introduce overall migration test; takes effect in 2025
Chronic PS nanoplastics exposure found to impact mitochondrial health, impairing cell metabolism
New study examines long-term effects of polystyrene (PS) nanoplastics on mitochondrial health under realistic exposure conditions; repeated exposure to PS nanoplastics impaired mitochondrial function and cell differentiation process, possibly linked to metabolic disorders, such as diabetes and obesity; other recent studies found that PS micro- and nanoplastics negatively affect immune function, pregnancy outcomes, and gut health in various models
EU surveys phthalate uses in FCMs
DG SANTE seeks information on the uses of phthalates in plastic, non-plastic, multilayer food contact materials; survey open until November 8, 2019