|
|
|
|
|
|
Food for Thought
November 2023
|
|
|
|
Welcome to 'Food for Thought', a newsletter sharing key updates on food contact material (FCM) policy, ideas for revised FCM legislation and useful resources. There are thousands of chemicals in food contact materials that can potentially migrate into our food or drink, and many of these chemicals can harm our health and pollute the environment. This is why we need more protective regulation.
|
|
|
Proposed ban on PFAS and BPA in food packaging in the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation
|
|
|
|
On 24th October, the European Parliament's Environment Committee (ENVI) adopted their position on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) proposal, which also includes measures to ensure safer food packaging. Zero Waste Europe called for consumer safety to be considered in the PPWR earlier this year.
The ENVI Committee proposal includes a rapid ban of intentionally added PFAS (already banned in Denmark in paper food packaging), and Bisphenol A (already banned in France in all packaging in contact with food), in food packaging. The bans would apply 18 months after the Regulation enters into force.
The next step is for the European Parliament to vote on the proposal during a Plenary session, which is expected in the week of 20th November.
|
|
|
NGOs call for phase out of PVC
|
|
|
|
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a type of plastic used in a range of applications, including food contact materials, however throughout its lifecycle it poses risks to human health and to the environment.
The European Commission included PVC and its additives in the EU Restrictions Roadmap, and asked the European Chemicals Agency to investigate the potential risks posed by PVC additives, by PVC itself, and the need for a European Union‑wide action.
To fulfil the ambitions of the EU's Zero-Pollution Plan and non-toxic environment, a number of organisations including the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and Zero Waste Europe have asked the European Commission to swiftly mandate an ambitious restriction on the production, use, and placing on the market of PVC and its additives under the REACH regulation.
Earlier this year, Zero Waste Europe explained in detail why a restriction on use of PVC in food packaging and other food contact materials is needed in its feedback to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)’s call for evidence.
|
|
|
Recent webinar - Chemical transfers & migrations in reusable plastic packaging
|
|
|
|
A webinar hosted by Planet Reuse on 26th October addressed chemical transfers and migrations in reusable plastic packaging.
It highlighted that current regulatory testing requirements do not reflect the realistic daily routines of reusable plastics, including many cycles of dishwashing, heating, and microwaving. The invited speakers (representing Food Packaging Forum, Zero Waste Europe and MEIKO North West Europe) discussed how we can ensure that the emission of substances of high concern, and the contamination of reusable packaging, is avoided.
If you missed it - watch the webinar and view the presentations and key takeaways on Planet Reuse (free registration is needed to access the platform).
|
|
|
Food Packaging Forum 2023 workshop
|
|
|
|
On 28th September 2023 the Food Packaging Forum held their annual workshop in Zurich, 'Achieving safe and sustainable food packaging: Where are we now?'. The workshop brought together a range of stakeholders and participants from over 20 countries. Read more about the presentations and discussions in this news article by the Food Packaging Forum.
If you didn't manage to join the workshop live, check out the presentations that are available on the Food Packaging Forum website.
|
|
This newsletter is produced by a collaboration between CHEM Trust, the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and Zero Waste Europe (ZWE). Together, we are working towards creating a toxic-free environment where nobody should have to worry about the presence of health-harming chemicals in the products that come into contact with our food.
CHEM Trust is a charity based in Germany and the UK, with the overarching aim to prevent synthetic chemicals from causing long term damage to wildlife or humans, by ensuring that chemicals which cause such harm are substituted with safer alternatives. (EU Transparency number: 27053044762-72)
The Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) is the leading not-for-profit organisation addressing how the environment affects human health in the European Union (EU) and beyond. HEAL works to shape laws and policies that promote planetary and human health and protect those most affected by pollution, and raise awareness on the benefits of environmental action for health. (EU Transparency number: 00723343929-96)
Zero Waste Europe (ZWE) is the European network of communities, local leaders, experts, and change agents working towards the elimination of waste in our society. ZWE advocates for sustainable systems and the redesign of our relationship with resources, to accelerate a just transition towards zero waste for the benefit of people and the planet. (EU Transparency number: 47806848200-34)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
