In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to food science and packaging expert Dr. Claire Sand about the regulatory, sustainability, and technical considerations for food companies regarding chemicals of concern in packaging, and what the future of food packaging might look like.
The research can serve as a foundation for updating or developing new Restricted Substances Lists to mitigate potential risks to human and environmental health posed by hazardous chemicals used food contact materials.
FDA notes that, until now, it has conducted post-market reviews on a case-by-case basis, often in response to citizen petitions or new scientific evidence. FDA says the new framework will be more proactive.
A study led by researchers from the University of Antwerp has found that ultra-processed plant-based foods contain high levels of organophosphorus flame retardants and plasticizers in comparison to their animal-based analogs, but a dietary exposure risk assessment did not raise a health concern for the adult population, including vegans.
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.
In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak to Natalie Rainer and Dr. Peter Coneski, food regulatory experts at K&L Gates LLP, about the policy and legal issues surrounding food packaging chemicals of concern and targeted food additives, and the implications for industry.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has compiled a report on the exposure of humans and food-producing animals to endocrine-disrupting chemicals—such as PFAS, BPA, and phthalates, among others—between 2004 and 2024.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) recently conducted a targeted survey to assess the presence of phthalates in ready-to-eat (RTE) foods, vegetable fats, and vegetable oils, finding no detectable levels in 93 percent of samples.
Minnesota Senator Heather Gustafson has introduced SF 188, a bill that would require manufacturers of packaged foods to test their products for phthalates and disclose the results online.
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.
