Eurofins | Newsflash - July 2018 | FCM

Europe

Webpage on the Evaluation of FCMs

The European Commission has a new website on the evaluation of food contact materials (FCMs) where you will be able to find all the information about the process and results. The evaluation is expected to be completed by 2020.

The aim of this evaluation to assess to what extent the current EU legislative framework for FCMs is fit for purpose and delivers as expected. Finally it will provide a basis on which the Commission can consider what, if any, possible steps need to be taken in the future concerning the regulation of FCM in the EU.

Click here for going the European Commission Evaluation website.

Germany

Call to provide polyamide oligomers toxicological data

On 30^th May 2018, the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) published the evaluation Nº014/2018 on Polyamide oligomers in kitchen utensils. The aim of this risk evaluation was to classify the health risk of the migration of PA6- and PA66-oliogomers into food.

The results of this risk evaluation could not be finalized because there was not enough experimental toxicological data on exposures to polyamide oligomers. For this reason the BfR request manufacturers to provide more information about toxicological data related to elevated exposure to these substances.

Click here to get the evaluation Nº 014/2018 from BfR website (in German).

France

Precautionary statements for culinary siphons

On 14^th June 2018, Direction Generale de la Concurrence, de la Consommation et de la Repression des Fraudes (DGCCRF) published a Press release on culinary siphons. The strong suspicion of a consumer death in 2017 and two new accidents this year related to culinary siphon have made the DGCCRF to publish a new press release about this matter.

The DGCCRF invites potential buyers to verify that the product does not appear in the products listed in the appendix to the press release of July 31, 2017 and also asks operators to widely inform their users about the usage and risks of some of these products.

The DGCCRF also recalls that the use of these products must comply with the manufacturer's instructions in the instructions for use.

Click here for getting the DGCCRF Publication (in French).

New substances for the FDA inventory of Effective Food Contact Substances

In May, the following substances were added to the Inventory of Effective Food Contact Substances (FCS) Notifications of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

FCN number	Substances	date
1872	An aqueous mixture of peroxyacetic acid (PAA) (CAS Reg. No. 79-21-0), hydrogen peroxide (HP) (CAS Reg. No. 7722-84-l), acetic acid (CAS Reg. No. 64-19-7), l-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP) (CAS Reg. No. 2809-21-4), and, optionally, sulfuric acid (CAS Reg. No. 7664-93-9).	May 5, 2018
1854	Polyurethane resin produced by reacting a mixture of 2,4-toluene diisocyanate (CAS Reg. No. 584-84-9) and 2,6-toluene diisocyanate (CAS Reg. No. 91-08-7) with polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene glyceryl ether (CAS Reg. No. 9082-00-2) and 1,4-butanediol (CAS Reg. No. 110-63-4).	May 8, 2018
1847	Carbon monoxide-ethylene-propylene terpolymer (CAS Reg. No. 88995-51-1). Replaces FCN 1562	May 13, 2018

Click here for going to the Inventory of Effective Food Contact Substance (FCS) Notifications list.

US - New York

Bye bye polystyrene single-use food containers in New York City

On 13^th June, the Mayor of New York City announced January 1, 2019 as the effective date for the Local Law 142 which bans the use of expanded polystyrene (EPS) single-use food and beverage containers.

As a result of the ban, manufacturers and stores may not sell or offer single-use foam items such as cups, plates, trays, or clamshell containers in the City. The sale of polystyrene loose fill packaging, such as “packing peanuts” is also banned. There is a six month grace period from when the ban goes into effect on January 1, 2019 before fines can be imposed.

The DGCCRF also recalls that the use of these products must comply with the manufacturer's instructions in the instructions for use.

Click here for getting the DGCCRF Publication (in French).

Mexico

Draft standard for cooking utensils with a non-stick coating

On 12^th June 2018, the Mexican Ministry of Economy notified to World trade Organization their corresponding Draft Mexican Official Standard PROY-NOM-225-SCFI-2017, Safety of items used in the home - Cooking utensils with a non-stick coating -Specifications and test methods.

The aim of this draft is to ensure consumer safety in utensils with non-stick coating that come into direct contact with food establishing the minimum safety specifications and test methods.

Click here for getting the Notification Details with reference G/TBT/N/MEX/414 in the European Commission website.