Chemical Watch investigates trend of US states and retailers to phase out use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food packaging; non-governmental organizations expect increasing momentum while PFAS manufacturers defends performance and safety of applications
Walmart removes 8 chemicals of concern from products
U.S. retailer Walmart names 8 high priority chemicals its suppliers must phase out and find alternatives for; list includes among others formaldehyde, phthalates, nonylphenol exthoxylates, and parabens
Are fluoropolymers really of low concern for human and environmental health and separate from other PFAS?
Consumers concerned about microplastics
More than half of German population concerned about microplastics in food, according to survey by German risk assessment institute; 45% worried about aluminum in food packaging
EFSA final scientific opinion on PFAS in food
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) publishes final version of its opinion on risk to human health from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food; sets group tolerable weekly intake limit of 4.4 ng/kg body weight for four most commonly measured PFAS in humans
Scientific workshop microplastics & human health risk assessment
Managing chemicals in plastic packaging
Research project demonstrates lack of transparency on chemicals in plastic packaging, identifies phthalates as urgent substitution candidates; non-intentionally added substances pose unique assessment challenges
Opinion: More recycling won’t fix plastic problem
Opinion article by The Guardian highlights human health impact of plastic pollution, calls for reducing plastic production and banning classes of hazardous chemicals
World Health Assembly adopts resolution on chemicals, waste, and pollution
Resolution calls on World Health Organization Member States to increase work on potential human health impacts of plastics, links between chemical exposures, and health; recognizes people are exposed to many chemicals but majority have not been well studied
Guidance on packaging definitions
American Institute for Packaging and the Environment publishes guidance document comparing varying definitions that currently exist within packaging materials management