Topics
regulation
November 2, 2026
National regulations introduce mandatory recycled PET content for single-use packaging, requirements for food-grade recycled materials and extended producer responsibility; prohibit use of persistent organic pollutants in plastics production; establish additional rules for food packaging and single-use products
Reading time: 3 minutes
August 18, 2026
Swiss Federal Council adopts new Packaging Ordinance covering all packaging materials; introduces recycling targets and take-back requirements for plastic packaging and beverage cartons; ban on substances of very high concern (SVHCs) added after public consultation; government did not address key concerns shared by the Food Packaging Forum and Swiss civil society organizations during public comment period
Reading time: 4 minutes
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
July 2, 2026
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) call for evidence for developing occupational exposure limits on bisphenols ended July 1, 2026; FPF submitted evidence for bisphenol exposure from food contact materials; emphasized real-world exposure to bisphenols and other hazardous chemicals happens in mixtures; highlighted recent scientific evidence for human exposure and potential health impacts of bisphenols
Reading time: 2 minutes
June 26, 2026
UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) publishes report on food safety aspects of recycled plastic and alternative food contact materials (FCMs); Food Packaging Forum (FPF) writes letter to FAO highlighting several concerns over report’s framing, interpretation of science, and risk assessment approaches
Topics: recycling, regulation
Reading time: 2 minutes
June 16, 2026
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Western Region directs food businesses to stop using newspapers for food contact immediately; cites health concerns from chemical, bacterial contamination; suggests moving towards food-grade packaging to comply with regulations
Reading time: 2 minutes
June 11, 2026
European Commission drafts restriction on carcinogenic, mutagenic, and reprotoxic substances (CMRs) in childcare articles; Food Packaging Forum (FPF) highlights inconsistencies with existing EU legislation that may result in lower protection against CMRs compared with plastic food contact materials
Reading time: 2 minutes
May 15, 2026
Food Safety and Disclosure Act requires generally recognized as safe (GRAS) food additives on the New York market to be added to public database; aims to close Food and Drug Administration loophole allowing use of food additives without public knowledge; argues federal GRAS reform is too slow; other states considering similar bills while US House of Representatives remains divided
Reading time: 5 minutes
May 4, 2026
In a commentary, The Lancet Countdown on Health and Plastics outlines the multiple harms of plastic, including micro- and nanoplastics; describes necessary interventions and tracking of measures over time; explains why constructive debate is essential for advancing the science
Reading time: 2 minutes
March 19, 2026
US Department of Agriculture addresses petition by Biodegradable Products Institute; decides synthetic polymers not eligible for inclusion on National List of Allowed Prohibited Substances; open to assessment of individual polymers for inclusion; implications for California compostable packaging law; BPI now filing new petition
Reading time: 2 minutes
