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European Commission
June 14, 2022
European Commission (EC) publishes working document on review of whether the EU Food Contact Material Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004 is fit for purpose; finds regulation is “partly effective” but “overall, the efficiency… appears to be sub-optimal”; presents concerns including lack of specifics for materials other than plastics, non-intentionally added substances, supply chain transparency, oversight, and structure of risk assessments
Reading time: 4 minutes
June 1, 2022
European Commission sets recommended limits on mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbon (MOAH) contamination in food, effective immediately; Limits not currently binding, up to Member States to enforce; action follows December 2021 civil society investigation into levels of MOAH in foods on the European market
Topics: European Commission, MOAH
Reading time: 2 minutes
April 5, 2022
European Commission calls for stakeholder comments on an initiative to restructure scientific assessments of chemicals across EU agencies to move towards ‘one substance, one assessment’; feedback period open until April 12, 2022
Reading time: 1 minute
April 4, 2022
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) publishes literature review to find and evaluate risks that could come from a circular economy, actions the agency could take to mitigate any risks; suggests further research on exposure risks from shelf life extending materials as well as recycled, reusable, and biobased packaging; European Commission proposes ecodesign for sustainable products regulation; Ireland’s cabinet passes circular economy bill
Reading time: 4 minutes
March 30, 2022
Standing Committee of the European Commission debates a slightly revised draft regulation on recycled plastics in food contact materials (FCMs); voting carried out as written procedure; final decision expected to be favorable
Reading time: 2 minutes
March 30, 2022
Market research from German consumer organization Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband (VZBV) finds consumers are concerned about food packaging safety but have little understanding of chemicals in packaging; consumers assume all food contact materials and their components have been tested for safety
Reading time: 3 minutes
March 11, 2022
Food Packaging Forum (FPF) provides comments following a European Commission stakeholder consultation workshop on the essential use concept (ESU); finds integration of an ESU in EU’s food contact materials (FCM) regulation increases FCM safety by allowing easier and more efficient management of harmful chemicals; recommends integrating ESU into EU FCM regulations during current revision process
Reading time: 2 minutes
March 2, 2022
European Commission (EC) opens consultation period on the use of styrene as a food contact material; considering developing migration limit for styrene into food; stakeholder survey open until April 11, 2022
Reading time: 1 minute
February 28, 2022
European Commission (EC) initiative aims to reduce the release of microplastics into the environment; specifically focuses on expanding research on risks from microplastics contamination in food and water and reducing risks to humans from environmental contamination; consultation open until May 17, 2022
Topics: European Commission, microplastics
Reading time: 0 minutes
January 31, 2022
More than 40 representatives of the European public discuss concerns with EU institutions; panel on climate change and health adopts 51 recommendations for the EU; includes recommendation for ‘swift elimination of non-sustainable packaging’
Reading time: 0 minutes
