New scientific study finds that in certain cases migration studies can be substituted by solubility measurements; modified OECD method shows solubility of select antioxidants, UV stabilizers in some food simulants is below SMLs
Opinion: Plastic packaging should be simplified
Cradle to Cradle scientist Michael Braungart calls for fewer and simplified polymers to create material cycles rather than waste
Packaging: Food waste vs. plastic waste
C&EN presents the debate on the costs of food packaging made of flexible plastics and multilayered structures: Less food waste and economic benefits vs. more difficult recycling and negative environmental impacts
Independent panel recommends considerable changes to US FDA
Reagan-Udall Foundation publishes independent evaluation of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) human foods program; provides 32 recommendations concerning agency culture, structure, resources, and authorities
FDA plans reorganization, monitors PFAS phase-out
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) establishes Human Foods Program, unifying and modernizing certain functions under one program; implementation set for October 1, 2024; FDA is also monitoring PFAS phase-out, with many states implementing bans, and manufacturers switching to non-PFAS alternatives
FDA guidance on forming GRAS panels
U.S. Food and Drug Administration issues draft guidance for industry with recommendations for choosing experts to make GRAS determinations; comments can be submitted until January 16, 2018 and May 15, 2018
South Korea to assess 60 hazardous substances
Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announces plan to assess 60 hazardous substances by 2020; broad range of substances could be selected, including those in food packaging
Petition urges US FDA to ban lead in FCMs
Formal petition requests revision of US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lead standards, calls for banning lead in all FCMs; argues simple measures could significantly decrease lead level exposure from food
FDA colloquium on in silico methods
Society of Toxicology and U.S. Food and Drug Administration host event on in silico testing methods; presentations focus on drivers for acceptance and treatment of uncertainties
Commentary on microplastics as a vector for chemical transport
Scientists respond to perspective article providing clarifications on plastic-driven long-range environmental transport (LRET) of chemical additives; discuss nine shortcomings of the perspective; suggest omitting the perspective article in discussions on plastic debris-associated LRET of additives