A recent publication of a study conducted by the Silent Spring Institute suggests that a substantial portion of the paper and paperboard used for fast food packaging contains PFAS (poly or perfluoroalkyl substances).  The study implicitly suggests that their presence in the packaging poses some safety or environmental concern. It has received extensive media attention.

MERCOSUR (Mercado Común Del Sur or the "Common Market of the South") is revising GMC Resolution No. 32/07, "Positive List of Additives for Plastic Materials Intended for the Manufacture of Packages and Equipment in Contact with Foods," with a final resolution expected to be completed in 2017.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced in a June 15, 2016, Federal Register notice that it had filed a petition on May 16 that the Styrene Information and Research Center (SIRC) submitted to the Agency requesting that 21 C.F.R. § 172.515 be amended to no longer permit the use of styrene as a synthetic flavoring substance and adjuvant in food because these uses have been permanently abandoned.

China's National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) announced online on June 8, 2016, that 23 food packaging materials had passed the safety evaluation review by the NHFPC expert panel and have received final clearance. Specifically, the final clearances are for:

Is the French positive list still applicable as I have heard from sources that it is no longer so?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced an extension to the comment period on the food additive petition proposing that the food additive regulations be amended to no longer authorize the use of styrene and six other listed synthetic flavoring food additives. The petition—submitted by James Huff, the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) and five other nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)—also requested that FDA establish a zero tolerance for the additives.

Is there a new French Positive List for colorants approved for use in plastics that come into contact with food?

We manufacture several organic compounds that are blended with pigments to make colorants for use in food packaging. Are our products affected by...

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) filed a food additive petition proposing that the food additive regulations be amended to no longer authorize the use of styrene and six other listed synthetic flavoring food additives, and to establish zero tolerances for the additives.