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Plastic lunchbox on a yellow background

CHEM Trust: EU Commission publishes proposal to ban BPA in certain Food Contact Materials

Plastic lunchbox on a yellow background

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on their proposal to ban the use of bisphenol A (BPA) and other hazardous bisphenols in certain food contact materials (FCMs). BPA is the most well-known and commonly used bisphenol, which are chemicals that are widely used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and resins, including in … CHEM Trust: EU Commission publishes proposal to ban BPA in certain Food Contact Materials

CHEM Trust: Consultation responses highlight support to address harmful chemicals in Food Contact Materials

Last week marked one year since the European Commission opened the public consultation on the revision of EU Food Contact Materials (FCM) legislation. While the revision proposal is yet to be published, responses to the consultation demonstrate that there is wide-ranging support for action to address hazardous chemicals in FCMs. Over 12,000 substances have been … CHEM Trust: Consultation responses highlight support to address harmful chemicals in Food Contact Materials

CHEM Trust: New study identifies hundreds of harmful chemicals used in food contact materials

A new peer-reviewed study published by the Food Packaging Forum and others has found that food contact materials could contain up to 388 harmful chemicals, which should be phased out urgently. The study, published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, identifies 388 Food Contact Chemicals of Concern (FCCoC) that could be used in food contact materials. Of these 388: 352 … CHEM Trust: New study identifies hundreds of harmful chemicals used in food contact materials

Zero Waste Europe: Understanding Packaging (UP) Scorecard

The UP Scorecard is a science-based, free and easy-to-use online tool to help selection of foodware and food packaging that is safe and environmentally sustainable. Scores are provided for plastic pollution, chemicals of concern, climate, water use, sustainable sourcing, and recoverability.  

Zero Waste Europe: Rezero: urine samples that changed the Spanish Waste Law

For the past 5 years, ZWE’s Catalonian member Rezero has been campaigning on the dangers and harmful effects of plastics on human health (besides all the harm it does to our environment). This late March, they saw their ambitions become reality through the ban on food packaging chemicals in the Spanish Waste Law.

Zero Waste Europe: How the EU chemicals strategy can help to make our food packaging toxic-free

Since publishing the European Green Deal in December 2019, the EU is in a modus operandi for a systemic change. The Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability (CSS) adopted a year later, announced that it would help fight toxic chemicals and pollution that is detrimental to both human health and ecosystems. If it fulfills this promise – it will be remembered … Zero Waste Europe: How the EU chemicals strategy can help to make our food packaging toxic-free

CHEM Trust: European Parliament resolution calls for a rapid reform of FCM laws

In October 2021, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on the Farm to Fork Strategy, supporting targets and measures to reduce pollution along the value chain including EU Food Contact Materials (FCM). Parliament called on the European Commission to bring forward the date of the publication of their proposal for a new regulatory framework.

ChemSec: Testing finds that 8 out of 10 packaging materials for food contain highly toxic chemicals

Pizzas, hamburgers, corn flakes and various kinds of drinks for kids are among the food items with packaging that contains several toxic chemicals according to tests done by the Swedish Chemicals Agency. The agency tested over 60 different paper and cardboard-based packaging materials, and besides the already mentioned items above, the test included bags for french … ChemSec: Testing finds that 8 out of 10 packaging materials for food contain highly toxic chemicals