EU Member States to examine 236 substances shortlisted in ECHA’s annual screening exercise for potential health and environmental risks; list not publicly available
New guidance on how EFSA handles applications for authorization
EFSA issues new “administrative guidance for the processing of application for regulated products;” applies also to food contact materials
Microbiome and chemical risk assessment
U.S. National Academy of Sciences’ report outlines research strategy to assess the need for chemical risk assessments to consider interactions between chemicals and microbiota when estimating human health effects
Consultation on EC’s approach to food safety
EU Commission publishes roadmap for “transparency and sustainability of the EU food and feed safety risk assessment model,” aims to increase transparency and involvement of Member States in EFSA’s assessments; public consultation open until January 17, 2018
Genotoxicity evaluation by EFSA
New scientific opinion provides detailed discussion of how EFSA evaluates potential genotoxicity of substances in food and feed risk assessments
Toxic napkins
CHEM Trust revisits issue of paper napkin contamination by primary aromatic amines used in ink production, calls for improved regulation of chemicals in food contact paper and inks
Opinion: FDA fails to ensure food safety
Scientific perspectives article discusses current gaps in assessment and regulation of chemicals in food by U.S. FDA, illustrates problems with perchlorate example, calls for immediate action to protect child health
FPF speaker spotlight: Martin Scheringer
Prof. Dr. Martin Scheringer of Masaryk University opens Food Packaging Forum’s 2017 Workshop by addressing challenges in the risk assessment of food contact materials
EFSA publishes final plan for BPA reassessment
EFSA publishes BPA hazard assessment protocol along with report on public consultation outcomes; collection of studies to start in 2018
Symposium on challenges in risk assessment
BfR, NIFDS, ANSES and DTU host joint international symposium on risk assessment and consumer health protection, November 30-December 1, 2017 in Berlin; registration open until November 24, 2017