Food legislation and food safety – April 2023

Food Contact Materials (FCMs) – rules and regulations
China: Keller and Heckman reports that the government has approved three new additives, three new resins, and expanded use for four additives and one resin. Keller and Heckman also reports that the CFSA is requesting comments on three new FCMs. EU: Dietary exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) is a health concern for consumers across all age groups, EFSA’s scientific experts have concluded in a new re-evaluation. They have established a tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 0.2 ng/kg of body weight, replacing the previous temporary TDI of 4 µg/kg.
A draft scientific opinion, launched by EFSA for public consultation, finds that MOAH is a possible health concern and that MOSH is not. Japan: FPF reports that the government has released a revised draft of the Positive List of substances allowed for FCMs. Luxembourg: Draft legislation on regenerated cellulose film FCMs has been sent to the EC.

Claims, marking and labelling
EU: The EC has published a report (1.015 kB) on fighting fraudulent and deceptive practices in the agri-food chain. Hungary: Draft legislation stating that food containing insect protein must be accompanied by the indication ‘Attention! Food contains insect protein’ has been sent to the EC. Luxembourg: Draft legislation on food for infants and young children has been sent to the EC. NL: Samen Tegen Voedselverspilling (in Dutch) reports that the NVWA (in Dutch) and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport are allowing Keep-It Technologies to test a time and temperature indicator on food for 24 months. This indicator replaces the current best-before date to indicate until when the food can be safely consumed. Romania: Draft legislation on providing consumers with information on foods that are or contain species of any insect has been sent to the EC. US: Keller and Heckman reports that the FDA has added six new entries to its Inventory of Effective Food Contact Substances (FCS) Notifications. The FDA has revised the guidance on the labelling of certain beers to add sesame to the list of major food allergens. The FDA has also published draft Dietary Guidance Statements on food labelling to ensure the statements assist consumers in choosing healthier diets. The comment period on the proposed new regulatory requirements for the “Product of USA” or “Made in the USA” claim has been extended to 11 June 2023.

Research
A Fraunhofer study (1.17 MB) looks at the possibilities for using post-consumer PS recyclates in FCMs.
The presence of BPA in plastic consumer products is subject to strict regulation in the EU. Researchers at the Teaching Institute for Public Health analysed the migration of Bisphenol A (BPA) from food packaging in Croatia. They found that none of the analysed products presented a health hazard. An article (666 kB) about the research is published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
Steps have been taken in Canada to reduce the use of BPA, but in many cases it has been replaced with similar hormone disrupting chemicals like Bisphenol S (BPS). A new study from McGill University now shows that every day Canadians are exposed to BPS, as chemicals migrate from labels on the packaging into their food.
In a recent study (1.59 MB) published in Environmental Science and Technology Letters, University of Toronto researchers found high levels of PFAS in 42 paper-based wrappers and bowls collected from fast-food restaurants.
 

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