Topics
FCMs
July 16, 2026
Indonesia's food and drug authority (BPOM) adopts new regulation on food contact materials (FCMs); establishes migration requirements for different packaging materials; introduces extensive positive and negative lists for food contact chemicals; positive list includes problematic chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA); explicit provisions for reusable and recycled food packaging; creates pathway for approval of new food contact chemicals and materials
Reading time: 3 minutes
December 13, 2024
Open letter signed by 50+ organizations calls for immediate action on food contact material regulation; cites presence of harmful chemicals found in food packaging and humans; says current regulation does not adequately protect human health
Reading time: 1 minute
November 27, 2024
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published a list of priority deliverables of the Human Foods Program (HFP) for the 2025 fiscal year; includes updates to pre-market review and post-market assessment processes; also includes plans to update chemical grouping methodologies and modernizing data monitoring of new chemicals
Reading time: 1 minute
November 1, 2023
The Chinese National Health Commission published two draft proposals for food contact material (FCM) safety standards; focus on general safety standards and silicone rubber FCMs; public consultation open until December 15
Reading time: 1 minute
October 27, 2023
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is reviewing five food contact chemicals (FCCs) for possible inclusion on the REACH Candidate List of SVHCs; Food Packaging Forum (FPF) shares information on where the FCCs have been measured in food contact; two are on the EU positive list for chemicals in plastic food contact materials; FCCs under consideration for SVHC status and allowed in FCMs highlights need to create stronger connection between FCM regulation and REACH
Reading time: 3 minutes
April 19, 2023
European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) surveys EU consumers on experience, knowledge, and attitude on food packaging; consumers feel under informed; 90% of consumers support stricter rules to prevent health effects; recommends overhaul of EU food contact policies
Reading time: 3 minutes
January 12, 2023
Food Packaging Forum comments on European Commission’s public consultation on its revision of EU rules on food contact materials (FCMs); stresses the importance of revising the definition of safety and aligning FCM regulations with EU strategies on chemical sustainability and circular economy
Reading time: 2 minutes
April 26, 2021
China requests comments for five new food contact chemicals (FCCs); includes two additives, three polymer resins; consultation open until May 13, 2021
Reading time: 1 minute
April 19, 2021
Tanzania's Bureau of Standards proposes limits for heavy metals, total aromatic amines in food contact materials (FCMs); notifies World Trade Organization (WTO) of positive list for colorants and dyes; adoption set for July 2021, becomes effective January 2022
Reading time: 1 minute
April 9, 2021
US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) adds seven new entries to its Inventory of Effective Food Contact Substance (FCS) Notifications
Reading time: 1 minute
