Topics
cancer
October 1, 2025
Food Packaging Forum reruns comparison of potential breast carcinogens list developed by the Silent Spring Institute with updated database on migrating and extractable food contact chemicals (FCCmigex); finds an additional 41 food contact chemicals that are potential breast carcinogens; 6 additional confirmed carcinogens detected in migration studies
Topics: cancer
Reading time: 3 minutes
September 24, 2024
In a peer-reviewed article, researchers from the Food Packaging Forum identify and discuss nearly 200 potential breast carcinogens detected in food packaging and other food contact materials (FCMs) on the market; when limited to migration studies published in 2020-22, 76 potential and confirmed mammary carcinogens were measured; including in FCMs from EU, US, China, and elsewhere
Topics: cancer, regulation
Reading time: 3 minutes
June 17, 2024
Study of colon cancer cell lines finds polystyrene micro and nanoplastic particles (MNPs) can be absorbed into cancerous cells in experimental settings; the more aggressive cell line absorbed the most MNPs and presence of MNPs increased cell movement; evidence of persistence and bioaccumulation; authors argue MNPs fit criteria as substance of concern under REACH
Reading time: 3 minutes
February 1, 2024
Researchers expand list of known substances with characteristics linked to breast cancer by more than four-fold; many are in standard consumer products, including 189 in food contact according to FPF’s database on migrating and extractable food contact chemicals (FCCmigex); authors call for improved hazard identification methods, advocate for more comprehensive chemical testing, especially focusing on the mammary gland and broader range of chemicals
Reading time: 4 minutes
February 15, 2021
Krebsliga (Swiss Cancer League) forum discusses interaction of environmental factors and cancer; brings together experts from academia, non-governmental organizations, and industry; addressed topics including endocrine disruptors, migration, risks posed by chemical mixtures
Reading time: 2 minutes
February 4, 2021
European Commission presents plan aimed to better prevent and treat cancer; includes focus on reducing exposure to hazardous substances, links to Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability; Health and Environment Alliance calls on Commission to use the plan in supporting revision of outdated EU food contact material regulations
Reading time: 1 minute
January 14, 2021
McDonald’s announces plan to remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from all guest packaging materials globally by 2025
Reading time: 2 minutes
October 29, 2020
8th annual Food Packaging Forum workshop focuses on linking policy-making with scientific research to improve the safety of food contact materials; video recordings, presentation slides, and summary articles now available online
Topics: bioplastics, cadmium, cancer, EFSA, exposure, glass, hazard assessment, lead, life cycle assessment, regulation
Reading time: 2 minutes
October 29, 2020
Kate Guyton reviews the work of International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), underlines the essential role played by independent scientific experts, describes processes used for evidence synthesis and carcinogen classification; key characteristics of carcinogens constitute an important approach to cancer hazard identification
Topics: cancer, hazard assessment
Reading time: 3 minutes
May 27, 2020
Health and Environmental Alliance (HEAL) and the European Cancer Leagues publish set of infographics illustrating role environmental pollutants play in causing cancer; call for revisions to EU food contact materials legislation to reduce hazardous chemical exposures
Reading time: 1 minute
