in the news

Jul 22, 2010:UK Food Standards Agency Reorganized; Will Focus on Food Safety
Jul 22, 2010:Proposition 65 Violation Notices Sent to Companies Over Lead Content in Food
Jul 22, 2010:India Prepares to Implement Sweeping, New Food Safety Regulations
Jul 13, 2010:EFSA Delays BPA Opinion Until September; France Bans BPA in Baby Bottles
Jul 13, 2010:California's Proposed "Green Chemistry" Regulation Could Broadly Affect Consumer Product Makers, Sellers
Jun 22, 2010:FDA Updates Guidance on Reportable Food Registry
Jun 22, 2010:European Plastics Industry Challenges Call by German Agency to Limit Use of BPA
Jun 15, 2010:CFSAN's Review of Low-Dose BPA Studies Supports Earlier NOAEL
Jun 4, 2010:EFSA Delays Publication of BPA Safety Review; Cites New Studies
Jun 4, 2010:FDA Releases Draft Proposals on Public Disclosure Policies
Jun 4, 2010:Voluntary Guidelines on EU's Food-Contact Paper Regulations Issued by Industry
May 11, 2010:California Releases An Outline of the Draft Regulations for Safer Products
May 6, 2010:EPA to Consider Listing BPA as Chemical of Concern Under TSCA
May 6, 2010:Proposed TSCA Legislation Would Require Exposure Data on New Chemicals From All Sources
May 6, 2010:Proposed Local and State Legislation Would Ban Single-Use Carryout Bags in California
Apr 6, 2010:California Bill Would Ban Non-compostable and Non-recyclable Food Service Packaging
Apr 6, 2010:EU Members Asked to Monitor Perfluoroalkylated Substances in Food
Apr 6, 2010:Triclosan Removed From EU's Provisional List of Additives for Use in Plastic Food-Contact Materials
Apr 6, 2010:FDA Publishes Manual on Review of Type III DMFs for Packaging Materials
Mar 9, 2010:EFSA to Review Safety of Non-plastic Food Contact Materials
Mar 9, 2010:China Finalizes Procedures for "Grandfathering" Food-Contact Substances
Feb 18, 2010:Proposed Bill Would Establish FDA Nanotechnology Risk Assessment Program
Feb 18, 2010:More California Jurisdictions Ban Polystyrene Takeout Containers Despite Costs
Feb 18, 2010:City Must Determine Environmental Impact Before Banning Plastic Bags, Court Rules
Jan 28, 2010:Vermont Proposes Law to Mandate Recycled Content in Plastic Packaging
Jan 21, 2010:FDA to Increase Oversight of BPA, Cites "Some Concern" Over Possible Health Effects
Jan 21, 2010:California Appeals Court Rules FMIA Preempts Proposition 65
Jan 14, 2010:Michael Taylor Named FDA Deputy Commissioner for Foods
Jan 12, 2010:EU's Positive List of Food-Contact Plastic Additives Now in Effect
Jan 7, 2010:Maryland Insurance Commissioner Named New FDA Chief Counsel
Jan 5, 2010:California's Toxics in Packaging Exemptions Expire This Month
Dec 22, 2009:Applications for Food Contact Plastic Recycling Processes in EU Due This Month
Dec 15, 2009:India Proposes New Rules on Plastic Containers with Far-Reaching Implications
Nov 24, 2009:Legislation to Ban BPA in Children's Product Would Require Testing by Plastic Suppliers
Nov 17, 2009:Dutch Propose Revised National Positive List to Harmonize with EU's Plastics Directive
Nov 17, 2009:FDA's Mark Hepp Reviews 10 years of FCN Program at Keller & Heckman Seminar
Oct 29, 2009:Experts Disagree on Implementation of California's Green Chemistry Initiative
Oct 15, 2009:Institute of Medicine to Study FDA's Premarket Notification Program for Medical Devices
Sep 22, 2009:California Science Panel Declines to List BPA on Proposition 65
Sep 22, 2009:California Bill to Ban BPA Rejected by State Assembly
Sep 15, 2009:FDA Issues Draft Guidance on Labeling of Certain Beer Products
Sep 15, 2009:Canada Proposes Adding Acrylamide to List of Toxic Substances
Sep 15, 2009:China Allows Transitional Period for Unlisted Food Contact Substances But Questions Remain
Aug 27, 2009:New York Court Allows Partial Implementation of Bottle Bill Amendments
Aug 25, 2009:Walmart Announces Sustainable Product Index; Suppliers Asked for Data
Aug 20, 2009:EFSA Publishes Guidance on Active and Intelligent Packaging
Aug 18, 2009:California Court Blocks Proposition 65 Listing for Styrene
Jul 21, 2009:Connecticut Bans BPA in All Infant Formula and Baby Food Containers
Jul 20, 2009:Notice on Implementation of China's New Food Safety Law Provides Some Clarification
Jul 16, 2009:Regulation of Pigments and Dyes Intended for Use in Food Contact Plastics in France
Jul 14, 2009:UK Publishes Guidance on Food Contact Regulations
Jul 14, 2009:FDA Forms Transparency Task Force
Jun 9, 2009:EU Publishes Regulation on Active and Intelligent Packaging
Jun 4, 2009:FDA to Review Safety of BPA
Jun 4, 2009:China Proposes New Approval Process for Food Contact Materials
Jun 3, 2009:California to Consider Listing BPA on Proposition 65
May 20, 2009:Thailand Proposes New Standards Applicable to Food Packaging
May 12, 2009:First Statewide Ban of BPA in Children's Products Adopted in Minnesota; Others May Follow
Apr 24, 2009:Transition Period May Be Allowed for Chinese Additive List
Apr 23, 2009:Manufacturers of Certain Medical Devices Originally Marketed Prior to 1976 Must Submit Safety Data to FDA
Apr 21, 2009:China to Implement New Food Safety Law
Apr 9, 2009:Proposed Bill Would Give FDA Jurisdiction Over Tobacco
Apr 6, 2009:COOL Rules Mandated in the 2002 and 2008 Farm Bills Become Effective
Apr 2, 2009:CPSIA Certification Requirement Delay Applies to Drug and Supplement Packaging
Apr 2, 2009:CPSC Public Meeting on Traceability Signals Potential for Global Program
Mar 24, 2009:BPA Not a Health Risk, Says Australian and New Zealand Regulators
Mar 17, 2009:Two Public Health Officials Named to FDA's Top Posts
Mar 17, 2009:Proposed Bills to Ban BPA Would Fundamentally Alter FCN Program
Mar 12, 2009:China Publishes List of New Additives Authorized for Use in Food Packaging
Mar 12, 2009:Supreme Court's Decision in Wyeth Limits Implied Preemption Defense
Mar 6, 2009:Suffolk County Votes to Ban BPA in Baby Bottles, Others Threaten Bans
Mar 6, 2009:Canada Completes Survey on BPA in Canned Drinks: Confirms Exposure Presents Low Safety Risk
Mar 3, 2009:Additional BPA Studies Planned, FDA Tells Science Board
Feb 27, 2009:GMA Paper on Food Irradiation Expresses Need for More Packaging Materials
Feb 26, 2009:Statisticians Challenge Findings That Link BPA Urine Level to Heart Disease
Feb 18, 2009:FDA Globalization Act of 2009 Introduced by Reps. Dingell, Pallone, and Stupak
Feb 18, 2009:One Year Stay Effective for Certain CPSIA Testing Requirements
Feb 17, 2009:Ongoing Search for HHS Secretary May Delay Naming of New FDA Commissioner
Feb 4, 2009:House Bill in Washington State Would Ban BPA in Food Packaging for Infants
Jan 29, 2009:New ASTM Standard for Plastic Products to be Based on RIC System
Jan 11, 2009:NAD Says "Oxo-Biodegradable" Claims Not Supported
Oct 28, 2008:California Restricts Environmental Marketing Claims on Plastic Bags
Oct 28, 2008:EPA Proposes New Data Requirements to Register Antimicrobial Pesticides
Oct 28, 2008:Human Exposure to BPA From Use in Food Contact Materials Discussed at FDA Hearing
Oct 14, 2008:CPSC Considering New Testing Requirements for Packaging for Children's Products
Oct 2, 2008:California Launches Comprehensive Program to Regulate Chemicals
Oct 2, 2008:Initial REACH List to be Short Despite Some Recommendations
Sep 30, 2008:California Governor Vetoes Bill Banning Perfluorinated Compounds in Food Packages
Sep 24, 2008:Proposition 65: "Safe Use Determinations" Would be Binding Under Proposal
Sep 24, 2008:Testing Underway to Increase Awareness of State Toxics In Packaging Laws
Sep 23, 2008:California Legislature Passes Green Chemistry Bills That Advance State's Green Initiative
Aug 22, 2008:CPSC Reform Act Imposes New Requirements, Including Limits on Phthalates in Children's Products
Aug 22, 2008:FDA, EFSA, and EC Reconfirm Safety of BPA
Aug 22, 2008:Potato Chip and French Fry Companies Settle Proposition 65 Acrylamide Lawsuits in California
Jul 25, 2008:Guidelines on Plastic Recycling Processes Published by EFSA; Dossiers Required to be Filed by Jan. 2010
Jul 24, 2008:New EFSA Panels Created to Handle Growing Workload
Jul 8, 2008:Conferees Continue Work on CPSC Reform Legislation
Jul 1, 2008:EC Extends Deadline for Migration Limits for Certain Plasticizers in Gaskets in Lids
Jul 1, 2008:Proposed Regulation Could Have Substantial Impact on Prop 65 Chemical Listing Process
Jun 23, 2008:China Bans Retailers From Offering Free Plastic Bags
Jun 23, 2008:Markey Proposes Ban of BPA in all Food and Beverage Containers
Jun 10, 2008:FDA's Science Board Establishes Subcommittee on BPA
Jun 5, 2008:Federal and State Governments Move to Ban BPA in Children's Products
May 16, 2008:EC Announces Fee Structure for REACH and Launches Early Registration Campaign
May 16, 2008:China Develops Standards for Food Packaging Composite Membrane and Bags
May 16, 2008:New Reports on BPA Prompt Reviews by FDA and EFSA
May 16, 2008:California Seeks Input on its Green Chemistry Initiative
Apr 30, 2008:Health Canada Releases Draft Risk Assessment on BPA; Follows on NTP Report
Apr 24, 2008:Bill Banning Perfluorinated Chemicals in Food Packaging Passes Out of Second California Senate Committee
Apr 15, 2008:EU Group to Develop Tool for Estimating Consumer Exposure to Substances in Food
Apr 3, 2008:EC Adopts Regulation on Recycled Plastics
Apr 2, 2008:European Commission publishes 5th Amendment to the Plastics Directive
Mar 12, 2008:FTC Plans Green Packaging Workshop
Feb 21, 2008:FDA Proposes New User Fees for Food Industry in FY2009 Budget
Feb 7, 2008:FCN Program Funding Included in President Bush's Proposed FY2009 Budget
Jan 15, 2008:China and U.S. Sign Agreement to Improve Safety of Imported Food
Jan 15, 2008:Directors to FDA's Food Safety and Veterinary Centers Named
Jan 3, 2008:Pizza With Meat and Other Products Could Move to FDA's Jurisdiction
Dec 18, 2007:Insufficient Data to Show if Bisphenol A has Toxic Effect on Humans, NTP's Report Says
Nov 2, 2007:Jerome Heckman is Inducted into PMMI's Packaging Hall of Fame
Nov 2, 2007:FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition Director to Move to GMA
Nov 1, 2007:5th Amendment to the Plastics Directive Enactment Possible by End of 2007
Oct 31, 2007:Reportable Food Registry to be Established Within FDA
Oct 25, 2007:FDA's Twaroski Provides Update on FCN Program at Keller & Heckman Seminar
Oct 24, 2007:DeLauro Calls for a Separate Food Safety Administration within HHS
Oct 9, 2007:Norway's Proposal to Ban 18 Chemicals Challenged
Oct 1, 2007:Contact Congress Now to Retain Funding for FCN Program in FY 2008
Oct 1, 2007:EFSA Proposes Separate Panal to Evaluate Food Contact Materials and Enzymes
Sep 28, 2007:EPA to Initiate Proceedings for Aquatic Toxicity Testing for NP and NPEs
Sep 24, 2007:Website Helps the Public Visualize Huge Units of Measurement
Sep 24, 2007:EU Announces Removal of Biocides from Biocidal Products Directive
Sep 11, 2007:New Reference for Food Contact Legislation in the EU Published
Sep 11, 2007:Pesticide Tolerance for Sliver as a Food Contact Sanitizer Requested
Jul 20, 2007:FCN Program Preserved in Committee's Mark-up of Agricultural Appropriations Bill
Jul 19, 2007:FDA Publishes Long-Awaited Current GMP Requirements for Dietary Supplements
Jul 19, 2007:UK Proposes to Implement EU Interim Migrations Limits for Plasticisers in Gaskets in Lids
Jul 16, 2007:FDA's New Assistant Commissioner for Food Protection Dr. Acheson Discusses His Goals
Jul 11, 2007:Online Forum Launched for Comments on FCC Monographs Revisions
Jun 12, 2007:California Assembly Votes to Ban Phthalates in Children's Products
Jun 7, 2007:EC Proposes Regulation on Mutual Recognition
Jun 7, 2007:FDA Eliminates a Hurdle to Irradiation of Food Products
Jun 7, 2007:EPA Reopens Comment Period on Food Packaging Treated With a Pesticide Proposal
Jun 6, 2007:Europe's New Chemicals Policy
May 18, 2007:EC Works Towards Harmonization on Plastic Recycling
May 9, 2007:FDA Proposes the Labeling of Irradiated Foods as "Pasteurized"
May 7, 2007:EPA Proposes Exemption for Food Packaging Treated with a Pesticide
Apr 9, 2007:San Francisco City Legislature Moves to Ban Plastic Grocery Bags
Apr 9, 2007:Environmental Group Calls For BPA Regulation
Feb 2, 2007:GAO Adds U.S. Oversight of Food Safety to List of "High-Risk" Federal Programs
Feb 1, 2007:European Food Safety Authority Recommends Restoring Former, Higher Tolerable Daily Intake Level for Bisphenol-A
Jan 17, 2007:European Commission Explains Process of Establishing the "Positive List" of Plastics Additives
Jan 10, 2007:Europe's New Chemicals Legislation – "REACH" – To Take Effect June 1
Jan 9, 2007:EFSA Panel on Food Additives Issues 13th List of Food Contact Substances