Scientists examine influence of ageing on the migration of oligomers and coloring agents from polycarbonate tableware; higher migration of degradation products from older and damaged plastics, colorants from newer products
Flexible plastic packaging expected to grow
Market research by the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies (PMMI) estimates 3,271 billion packaging units sold in 2018, led by flexible plastics and PET bottles; expects both material types to also see greatest increases by 2023
FPF Workshop 2019: Perspectives on innovations
Innovations improving the safety of food contact articles discussed during afternoon session; panel with guests from academia, non-profit organizations, start-ups and industry
EFSA publishes guidance on chemical grouping for risk assessments
Final version of European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) guidance prioritizes hazard-driven criteria for grouping chemicals; supports human health risk assessments of combined chemical exposures; recommends relying on mechanistic information on toxicity within a weight-of-evidence approach
Healthy ingredients for a circular economy
European Bioplastics hosts 10th annual conference in Berlin, Germany; circular economy, materials and products, as well as sustainable land use discussed
More retailers commit to safer chemicals
Non-profit organization Safer Chemicals, Healthy Families publishes second annual ranking of retailers’ safer chemicals programs; 10 out of 30 retailers take adequate action on toxic chemicals
Opinion: Consumers want healthy food
Removing unwanted ingredients such as BPA from food products is good, however highly processed foods remain the less favorable diet option compared to fresh, unprocessed foods
No packaging – no waste?
New York Times article reports on grocery stores offering only bulk produce to engage consumers in weighing and measuring the quantities they buy and reduce packaging waste
Survey gauges consumers’ interest in recyclable packaging
Boston Consulting Group survey interviews 15,000 consumers across Europe, North America, South America; finds consumer environmental awareness and preference for recyclable packaging unaffected by pandemic, young consumers willing to pay more for sustainable packaging, miseducation exists about real recycling rates
Packaging sustainability during the pandemic
Consultancy McKinsey & Company publishes paper on consumers’ views towards sustainability in packaging, as influenced by COVID 19 pandemic; urges more focus on proactive communication with consumers and supply chain partners, holistic approach to sustainability and hygiene requirements