Eurofins | Newsflash - April 2018 | FCM
Europe
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Drinking Water Directive Revision Proposal On February 1st, the European Commission unveiled a proposal for a revised European legislation to provide safe drinking water to all Europeans. |
Europe
New Amendment Proposal on Plastic Materials and Articles in Contact with Food
On 22 February 2018, the European Commission notified World Trade Organization (WTO) a proposal to amend Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 on plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food.
Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 is amended as follows:
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Substance |
Amendments |
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Perchloric acid, salts (FCM substance No 822) |
Decrease of the specific migration limit (SML) from 0.05mg/kg to 0.002mg/kg |
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Phosphorous acid, mixed 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylpropyl)phenyl and 4-(1,1- dimethylpropyl) phenyl triesters (CAS 939402-02-5) (FCM substance No 974) |
Increase of the SML from 5 to 10mg/kg “On the basis of new scientific evidence the Authority concluded that this substance is not of a safety concern for the consumer if its specific migration limit is increased from 5 to 10 mg/kg food, where the other existing restrictions are still met. Therefore the migration limit of this substance should be increased from 5 to 10 mg/kg, provided the other restrictions are retained”
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1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene 2,6-di carboxylic acid, dimethyl ester (CAS 23985-75-3) |
New entry (FCM substance No 1066) added The specific migration limit of the sum of the substance and its dimers (cyclic and open chain) should not exceed 0.05mg/kg food |
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[3- (2,3-epoxypropoxy) propyl]trimethoxy silane (CAS 2530-83-8) |
New entry (FCM substance No 1068) added “In treated glass fibres, residues of the substance must not be detectable at 0,01 mg/kg for the substance and 0,06 mg/kg for each of the reaction products (hydrolysed monomers and epoxy-containing cyclic dimer, trimer and tetramer)”
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Note: Plastic materials and articles complying with the Regulation as applicable before the entry into force of this amendment “may be placed on the market until 12 months after the date of entry into force of this Regulation and may remain on the market until exhaustion of stocks.” |
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Click here for getting Notification details.
Europe
Scientific Opinion on Active Substances in Active Food Contact Materials
On 2 February 2018, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published in the EFSA Journal the Safety assessment of the active substances carboxymethylcellulose, acetylated distarch phosphate, bentonite, boric acid and aluminium sulfate, for use in active food contact materials.
It concludes that these substances are not of safety concern when used as active components in moisture and liquid absorbers. However, the absorbent pads must be used under conditions in which direct contact between the active mixture and the food is avoided.
Click here for getting the official publication in EFSA journal.
Europe/International
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New Standard for Ceramic Knives In March 2018, the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) has published standard EN ISO 8442-9:2018 , equivalent to “ISO 8442-9:2018 - Materials and articles in contact with foodstuffs - Cutlery and table holloware - Part 9: Requirements for ceramic knivesfor Ceramic knives” This standard specifies material and performance requirements and test methods for Ceramic blades of knives used in the preparation of food, such as hardness, sharpness, thermal shock, dishwasher safety,…within others. Click here to access ISO website. Click here to access CEN website. |
US - Washington
Restriction of Perfluorinated Chemicals in Food Packaging
On 2 February 2018, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published in the EFSA Journal the Safety assessment of the active substances carboxymethylcellulose, acetylated distarch phosphate, bentonite, boric acid and aluminium sulfate, for use in active food contact materials.On 21st March 2018, Washington’s Governor signed Bill HB 2658 about the use of perfluorinated (PFAS) chemicals in food packaging.
This bill bans the sale, distribution or use of food packaging to which PFAS chemicals have been intentionally added in any amount
This ban may not take effect until Washington’s ECY (State’s Department of Ecology) identifies available safer alternatives and publishes these findings as required in this Bill
It concludes that these substances are not of safety concern w
