Food legislation and food safety – June 2026
Food Contact Materials (FCMs) – rules and regulations in the US
The FDA has released a scientific evaluation of the eight phthalates currently authorised as plasticisers for FCMs to determine if they should be grouped together for the purpose of a cumulative risk assessment. The findings support grouping for DEHP, DCHP, DIOP and DINP.
The FDA has also announced two actions focused on food chemical safety. First, the FDA has finalised its new proactive food chemical safety post-market assessment program. Second, the FDA has launched reassessments of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and azodicarbonamide (ADA), chemical additives commonly used in a variety of food products. More information can be found on FDA's new webpage.
On 9 June 2026, the No Toxics in Food Packaging Act (52 kB) was introduced, seeking to ban certain chemicals from food packaging and food processing materials, including PFAS and BPA.
New York: FPF reports that the Food Safety and Disclosure Act (SB 1239) has been passed, which, if signed by the Governor, would require companies to publicly disclose food additives treated as ‘generally recognized as safe’ (GRAS) by the FDA. The legislation is designed to close a GRAS loophole that allows companies to add chemicals to food and food packaging without declaring their presence or publishing how the company determined their safety.
Food Contact Materials (FCMs) – rules and regulations outside the US
EU: The incorporation of zinc oxide nanoparticles into biopolymer has gained attention for food packaging due to their antimicrobial properties. However, potential zinc migration is associated with safety concerns. A recent study by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) found that migration levels for all films tested remained below the European limit. The study is published in Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A.
JRC has also published a report (1.55 MB) entitled ‘Engineered Nanomaterials and Small Particle Fractions in the Food and Feed Sector: Insights from the JRC Nanomaterials Repository - A Focus on Physicochemical Characterization’.
China: SGS reports that the WTO has announced a draft standard establishing the nation’s requirements for regenerated cellulose FCMs.
South Korea: SGS reports that the government has updated its standards and specifications for food contact utensils, containers and packages.
Claims, marking and labelling – rules and regulations
EU: The EP has approved the amendments to the regulation on the common market organisation of agricultural products to strengthen the farmers’ role in the supply chain. The changes include establishing rules on the protection of ‘meat’ term and the specification that names such as beef, chicken and steak shall be reserved for meat products only.
France: Draft legislation on mandatory labelling of the origin of meat used as an ingredient in pre-packaged foods has been sent to the EC.
US: The FDA has released a report (215 kB) on a series of traceability readiness exercises held with industry and designed to help the food industry prepare to comply with the Food Traceability Rule (FTR). The FDA also released updated FAQ to provide clarity on a number of topics related to the rule.
Microplastics found in baby food packaged in pouches
A study (9.67 MB) commissioned by Greenpeace International, has found microplastics in all baby food packaged in pouches that was tested. The study traced the likely source to the plastic lining of the pouches themselves.
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