A paper authored by experts associated with ILSI Europe asserts that global food safety would benefit from the harmonization of risk assessment protocols for food contact materials used by different regulatory bodies, and suggests a path forward for working toward harmonization.
The Food Packaging Forum’s open access Database on Migrating and Extractable Food Contact Chemicals (FCCmigex) has been updated to include the most recent science on thousands of food contact chemicals to which humans are exposed. FCCmigex supports scientific and regulatory efforts to improve food contact material safety.
A recent study has demonstrated that millions of nano- and microplastics are released by polymer-based commercial tea bags when infused with hot water, and that these plastic particles are readily taken up by human intestinal cells.
Earthjustice sued FDA on behalf of consumer advocates that previously petitioned FDA to revoke food contact authorizations for 28 phthalates, and were denied. Although FDA since revoked authorizations for many of those phthalates and says the rest are under review, the plaintiffs hope their lawsuit will force a long-overdue safety reassessment.
On December 19, the European Commission officially adopted a sweeping ban on the use of Bisphenol A (BPA), as well as some other bisphenols considered harmful, in all food contact materials. Industry will be allowed an 18-month transition period.
The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has launched a public consultation for the market authorization of additives, flavorings, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) for use in food and feed; two novel foods; and one food contact (FCM) material. Additionally, approvals for eight flavorings have not been renewed.
U.S. Senators Edward Markey and Cory Booker recently wrote a letter to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) urging the agency to revoke its authorization for phthalates in food contact materials, arguing that the chemicals are proven to be toxic.
To understand the full extent of human exposure to all food contact chemicals, the Food Packaging Forum has created the FCChumon Database, which documents for the first time hundreds of chemicals found in humans, and which of those are hazardous or have unknown toxicity.
Considering new data, the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has found that there is insufficient evidence to conclude the safety of food contact materials containing bamboo and similar unauthorized plant-based materials.
An EU Member States expert committee has voted in support of a European Commission proposal to ban some bisphenols, including bisphenol A (BPA), in food contact materials.
