Topics
regulation
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
March 13, 2026
European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) briefing covers why food contact materials (FCMs) are regulated, what regulations apply to FCMs, which materials are subject to harmonized EU rules or nation-level legislation, and ongoing work; report references Food Packaging Forum projects and resources
Reading time: 2 minutes
March 5, 2026
Thai Food and Drug Administration publishes proposed updates for regulation of food contact ceramics and new regulations for metals, glass, and paper and board; proposal rarely outlines exact migration limits, instead referencing official Thai standards to avoid future regulator involvement
Reading time: 4 minutes
February 24, 2026
Corporate Europe Observatory investigation discusses industry lobbying against REACH revision; shows European Commission members met with industry 93 times, NGOs 14 times; highlights most relevant REACH issues discussed; summarizes ongoing industry lobbying techniques
Reading time: 2 minutes
