Food legislation and food safety – January 2025
Food Contact Materials (FCMs) – rules and regulations
EU: The EC has adopted a ban on the use of Bisphenol A (BPA) in FCMs and on 31 December 2024, the Regulation was published in the OJ. Keller and Heckman reports that EFSA has concluded in a draft scientific opinion that styrene used in plastic FCMs is not carcinogenic. In an open letter to the EC, ZWE and 50+ organisations call for immediate revision of the FCM Regulation. The letter highlights critical health risks from harmful chemicals in food packaging. Mercosur: Keller and Heckman reports on the publication of GMC Res 28/24 (in Portuguese) on the positive list of substances authorised for use in plastic FCMs. China: Keller and Heckman reports that the NHC has approved one new resin and expanded usage for an additive for FCMs. Indonesia: SGS reports that the government has informed the WTO of its draft regulation on FCMs. Switzerland: SGS reports that the government has amended the nation’s positive list for food contact plastics and food packaging inks. Thailand: FPF reports that TISI has adopted a standard for plastic bags for food and a standard for plastic bags containing food for heating in the microwave. SGS reports that the government has informed the WTO of a proposed mandatory standard for plastic containers for drinking water. US: The FDA has added three new substances and two other new substances to its Inventory of Effective Food Contact Substances (FCS) Notifications, Keller and Heckman reports.
Claims, marking and labelling
EU: A report (6.02 MB) by the EU Court of Auditors shows that consumers are exposed to a growing number of claims, logos, slogans, labels and scores which can be not only confusing but also misleading. The report was presented to the EP. The EP has published a briefing (380 kB) on food origin labelling. This obligation also applies to cut fruit and vegetables as of 1 January 2025. The EP has published a briefing (722 kB) on the revised “Breakfast Directives", a set of Directives that lay down rules on the composition, sales name, labelling and presentation of certain foodstuffs. In a position paper (abstract) published in Food Control, scientist from different universities including WUR call for food allergen guidelines at the EU level. NL all info is in Dutch unless stated otherwise: The NVWA has published new booklets on enzymes and flavourings. An updated version of the booklet on additives is also available. Draft legislation (in English) clarifying when there is cross-contamination with allergens and when allergen labelling should be applied as a precautionary measure has been sent to the EC. The Advertising Code Committee (RCC) has ruled that the packaging of ‘free-range’ and organic eggs of Jumbo and Blije Kip were also misleading during the bird flu housing measures period. This follows complaints from Foodwatch. The messages on the egg cartons suggested an outdoor life for the hens. US: The FDA has issued a final rule updating the definition of the voluntary “healthy” claim. The FDA is also proposing to require a front-of-package (FOP) nutrition label. The FDA has published four guidance documents concerning food allergens, low-moisture ready-to-eat human foods and labelling of plant-based alternatives to animal-derived foods. The USDA has announced a Request for Information about food date labelling, including the usage of terms like “Sell By,” “Use By” and “Best By.”
Research
EFSA has published risk assessments of FCMs (705 kB), of oligomers (492 kB) and of bisphenol A alternatives (304 kB). A University of Copenhagen study (3.37 MB) published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, compares the migration of non-volatile chemicals from reusable bottles of various plastic types. The researchers found that HDPE, PP and silicones released the highest number of chemicals.
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