McDonald’s announces plan to remove per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from all guest packaging materials globally by 2025
December 16, 2020
Report focuses on plastics, EDCs, and health
Guide developed by Endocrine Society and International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) informs public interest organizations and policy-makers about presence of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in plastics; explains impacts of EDCs on human health, considers economic dimension
December 11, 2020
Amazon restricts 17 chemicals in FCMs
Amazon announces ban on 17 chemicals in food packaging; includes per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), expanded polystyrene (EPS); restricted substance list (RSL) applies to Amazon Go, Amazon Go Grocery, Amazon Fresh, and Fresh grocery delivery
December 4, 2020
New York banning PFAS in food packaging
New York governor Cuomo signs bill banning PFAS in all food packaging, effective from December 2022, follows Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse (TPCH) model registration; industry criticizes lack of alternatives
November 12, 2020
Stakeholders anticipate Biden’s changes to US chemicals regulations
President-elect’s environmental justice plan specifically targets ‘frontline’ communities affected most by chemical pollution, set to recognize per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as hazardous under US law; critics concerned over appointment of transition team member with history of defending PFAS manufacturers
November 6, 2020
Petition calls for McDonald’s to phase out PFAS
Drinking water contaminated by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the US motivates call for fast-food chain to cease use of the chemicals in its food packaging, reduce market demand
November 2, 2020
Study maps global uses of PFAS
Researchers publish peer-reviewed study identifying over 200 use categories and subcategories for more than 1,400 individual per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); finds the substances are used in almost all industry sectors and many consumer products; calls for public release of usage data
October 29, 2020
FPF Workshop 2020: Scientific research and policy making
Six speakers share their views on how to improve food contact material (FCM) safety; different approaches might complement one another; linking scientific research, policy making and industry initiatives could be the key to safe FCMs
October 14, 2020
EU’s Chemicals Strategy plans actions on FCMs
European Commission (EC) publishes Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability; plans to ban PFAS for all non-essential uses, move towards grouping approach for regulation of all chemicals; specific actions for food contact materials (FCM) include extending generic approach to risk management, identifying endocrine disruptors, considering cumulative effects of chemical mixtures
October 14, 2020
Washington state publishes draft PFAS action plan
Department of Ecology (DoE) for US state of Washington outlines recommendations to reduce impacts of PFAS on public and environmental health; focuses on drinking water, environmental concentrations, waste streams, consumer products; open for public comment until December 7, 2020
