ENVI Committee of the European Parliament adopts DRAFT report on endocrine disruptors
Regulation of chemicals used in food packaging: an understandable and concise overview
The frameworks regulating food packaging differ amongst countries and are very complex: the FPF gives an overview
EU Commission announces annual activities for food contact materials in 2013
Plans include an impact assessment for food contact materials not explicitly regulated on EU level, new migration testing guidelines, an assessment of surface biocide regulation for food contact material use and preparations of a first positive list for active and intelligent materials and as well as of further authorizations of plastic recycling processes. Ongoing efforts are addressing the revision of the ceramics directive.
French BPA ban in food contact materials not approved of by industry
PlasticsEurope rejects new French bill banning BPA in direct food contact applications, starting January 2015. The bill is in conflict with existing European law and forces the EU Commission to act by either introducing the same measures in all of Europe, or taking legal action against France. A new scientific opinion by EFSA on BPA is expected in May 2013.
U.S.: Discordance on self-affirmed GRAS substances
Lack of information for self-affirmed GRAS (generally recognized as safe) substances has been highlighted by scientists of the public interest group PEW Charitable Trust in the US. Now the industry reacts by making available a database with manufacturers self-determined GRAS substances, used in food contact materials and/or food. Critics maintain that this effort is insufficient, and that a proper safety assessment needs to be carried out by the regulator instead.
French proposal for Bisphenol A ban enters another round
The French senate adopted a legal proposition which would ban Bisphenol A in food packaging designated for children under three years of age. All other packaging intended to come into contact with food would have to state that this product is not suitable for pregnant women and children under three. The amendments made by the senate require now adoption by the French National Assembly.
Belgium bans Bisphenol A for young children
Belgium adopted a ban of Bisphenol A in all food contact materials of products aimed at children under three.
Denmark plans to ban four phthalates
Denmark’s Ministry of the Environment has decided to move forward with a ban of the four phthalates DEH, DBP, DIBP and BBP
NY Times on EDCs
Op-ed in NY Times calls for more regulation of EDCs, discusses new research on epigenetic transgenerational effects of BPA.
Spain aims to restrict use of recycled material in food contact materials
The proposal would limit the use of recycled material in PET food contact materials to 50%