Food Contact Materials (FCMs) – rules and regulations
EU: EFSA has published a technical report (715 kB) setting out a methodology to reassess the suitability and safety of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) in the Union List of substances authorised for use in the manufacture of plastic FCMs.
EFSA has also published guidance (168 kB) on the data requirements for the safety assessment of bisphenols other than BPA and their derivatives.
Germany: BfR has published guidance (479 kB) on the risk assessment of non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) in FCMs.
NL: The Risk Assessment & Research Agency (in Dutch) recommends (in Dutch, 736 kB) amending the national legislation on FCMs. This is necessary to ensure food safety when using bio-based materials (such as bamboo) and recycled materials (such as paper and cardboard).
Serbia: SGS reports that the government has published a new regulation for FCMs.
Thailand: SGS reports that in September 2026, the government opened a consultation on proposed amendments to plastic FCMs. The proposal would revise requirements for permitted plastics, recycled materials and certain substances used in food contact plastic containers.
US: The Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS Act of 2026 (H.R.9593) has been introduced.
Keller and Heckman reports that the FDA has added four new substances to its Inventory of Effective Food Contact Substances (FCS) Notifications.
Claims, marking and labelling – rules and regulations
EU: The Council and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement on updating Regulation (EU) 2018/848 on organic production and labelling. Among other things, the update would revise the labelling rules for imports from equivalent third countries, allowing the EU organic logo to be used only when additional EU requirements are met.
Estonia: Draft legislation establishing a legal framework for the voluntary use of the Nutri-Score has been sent to the EC.
Nordic countries: The Keyhole is a voluntary label for healthier food products used in the Nordic counties. The scientific basis is the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations (NRR). The NRR is frequently updated (last in 2023), so the criteria for use of the Keyhole must also be updated. Because of this, the governments of Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden have recently sent draft legislation to the EC proposing national amendments.
US: California: Governor Newsom has signed A.B. 2244 into law, creating a voluntary label system for non-ultraprocessed foods (UPFs).
Research
Single-use takeaway paper cups lined with PE or PLA release millions of microplastic particles when exposed to hot liquid, University of Queensland researchers have found. The cups lined with PLA released 12 times more than the cups lined with PE.
A study by the Universitat Rovira i Virgili has found that seafood-based ready meals can absorb chemical contaminants during packaging and processing. However, the levels detected do not pose a significant health risk.
NVC members receive this information with all the relevant links in the monthly NVC Members-only Update. If you have any questions, please contact us: info@nvc.nl, +31-(0)182-512411