New website to serve as information hub on development of key characteristics to help identify hazardous chemicals; includes links to relevant presentations, publications, ongoing research projects
Behavior and labeling interventions to reduce plastic pollution
Three studies research plastic labeling shortcomings, effectiveness of behavioral interventions; article recommends plastic labels should include sustainability scale, provide regional disposal instructions, and list additives; review considers bigger picture, stakeholder diversity, and several techniques to increase effectiveness of behavioral interventions to reduce single-use plastic consumption; study finds social media does not affect consumer’s intentions to recycle plastics
Review investigates challenges of assessing NIAS in plastic FCMs
Literature review summarizes challenges regarding non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) in plastic food contact materials (FCMs); describes 52 studies with their applied methodologies for NIAS extraction and identification, plastic types analyzed, and NIAS detected; highlights NIAS assessment as a challenge for scientific community and industry due to lack of hazard data, a missing harmonized methodology, and outdated regulatory guidelines
Evaluating the food safety and risk assessment evidence-base of polyethylene terephthalate oligomers: A systematic evidence map
Review of endocrine disruptors in beverage packaging
Publication assesses over fifty studies on endocrine disrupting chemicals migrating from packaging into beverages; finds that material type, acidity, and storage impact migration rates; phthalates were most detected in polymer films, while bisphenol A was measured most in canned beverages
NIAS detection in food packaging materials
Review presents new analytical approaches to identify non-intentionally added substances in food packaging materials
“Plastic Health” web channel launched
Plastic Soup Foundation launches “Plastic Health” web series discussing latest scientific evidence; announces publication of expert opinions, interviews on hazards of microplastics, nanoplastics, and additives
Six urgent questions to address PFAS
Environmental Science and Technology feature article discusses six urgent questions to be answered to address worldwide per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances’ (PFAS) contamination and health impacts; describes importance, barriers, and ways forward for each question; emphasizes the need for cooperation, increased transparency, consideration of environmental equity; US FDA’s budget request calls for increased investment in addressing PFAS
Scientific challenges in the risk assessment of food contact materials
5 October 2017 The 2017 annual Food Packaging Forum (FPF) workshop featured high profile speakers and provided an ideal platform for engaging in inspiring discussions with different stakeholders. As a novelty, the FPF provided access to a live webcast of this year’s workshop for a minimal registration fee. Participants who could not attend the workshop in person, thus still had the opportunity to follow the speaker presentations, Q&As, and the podium discussion. The FPF workshop is a unique event in […]
Australia releases National Plastic Plan
Australian government announces National Plastic Plan; outlines approaches to plastic recycling, replacing unnecessary plastics, reducing plastics’ impact on the environment; proposes investments in prevention, recycling, consumer education, research, and development