Food legislation and food safety – March 2021
EU regulations
FPF reports that ECHA has published a press release stating that its Biocidal Products Committee (BPC) does not support approving four silver substances for applications in FCMs. FPF also reports that in a joint letter (460 kB), the Benelux countries demand the withdrawal from the EU market of bamboo melamine plastic products which are not compliant with article 5 of Regulation (EU) No 10/2011. WUR will become part of the new FoodSafety4EU platform to improve cooperation on food safety. A number of MEPs have sent a letter (188 kB) to the EC about the misleading use of the term “natural” on food products. Latvia: Draft legislation on requirements for additional labelling of milk products has been sent to the EC. NL: NVWA (in Dutch) has published an Advice (362 kB) from BuRO on the health risks of bamboo cups.
US regulations
FPF reports that the FDA has added 18 entries to its Inventory of Effective Food Contact Substances (FCS) Notifications. The FDA is proposing additional traceability recordkeeping requirements. Maine: The government has published a draft report identifying potential food contact chemicals (FCCs) of high concern. Washington: The government has published a report identifying non-PFAS alternatives for wraps and liners, plates, food boats, and pizza boxes. The findings begin a two-year timeline that will restrict PFAS in these four types of food packaging beginning in early 2023.
China Food Contact Materials (FCMs) regulations
Keller and Heckman reports that the government has approved two new FCMs, one new resin and expanded use for three FCMs.
Rare metals used in electrical equipment found in food packaging
Some of the planet’s rarest metals – used in the manufacture of smartphones and other electrical equipment – are increasingly being found in everyday consumer plastics, according to new University of Plymouth research. One or more of these metals were found in 24 of the 31 products tested, including items where unregulated recycling is prohibited such as single-use food packaging. An article (abstract) about the research is published in Science of The Total Environment.
Phthalates in plastic food packaging
Universidade da Madeira researchers studied the occurrence of phthalates in plastic food packaging. They found that DIBP was the most prominent phthalate found in all samples. An article (632 kB) about the research is published in Applied Sciences.
Migration behaviour of digital ink systems
Duomedia has announced that Xeikon has published a white paper on the migration behaviour of digital ink systems. Among other things, the paper provides a brief overview of the key regulations. You can download the white paper after filling in your details.
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