A novel concept for improved safety assessment of FCMs guided by public health concerns
Over 20 scientists present a vision for safer food contact materials (FCMs); propose new approach to test all chemicals that migrate from final product for their contribution to highly prevalent chronic diseases
On September 26, 2023, an international team of over 20 scientists, led by Food Packaging Forum (FPF) director Jane Muncke shared a new vision to work toward a world where food contact materials are free from hazardous and untested chemicals. Published in the peer-reviewed journal Environment International, the collaborative effort from scientists of FPF, its Scientific Advisory Board, and other academics propose a new conceptual approach to move beyond current risk assessment procedures for food contact materials. At present, assessments focus on one chemical at a time, particularly cancer-causing chemicals that are genotoxic (i.e. damage DNA). In the future, the authors envision assessing the whole cocktail of chemicals that migrate from finished food contact articles (FCAs) and testing their effects with respect to multiple growing health concerns including cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders.
Link to the scientific article (pdf)