On May 20, 2016, FDA has announced a consultation on a food additive petition that asked the agency to revoke regulations that allow the use of 30 ortho-phthalates in food contact materials (FCMs).

The FCM include:

• adhesives;

• resinous and polymeric coatings,including for polyolefin films

• components of paper and paperboard in contact with aqueous and fatty foods, and dry foods;

• defoaming agents used in the manufacture of paper and paperboard;

• slimicides;

• acrylic and modified acrylic plastics, semi-rigid and rigid;

• cellophane;

• closures with sealing gaskets for food containers;

• melamine-formaldehyde resins in molded articles;

• polyester elastomers and resins (crosslinked);

• rubber articles, intended for repeated use;

• plasticisers in polymeric substances; and

• surface lubricants used in the manufacture of metallic articles.

  
  

If the agency determines that new data is available that justifies amending these specified food additive regulations to no longer provide for the use of the ortho-phthalates, they will publish an amendment of the regulations in the Federal Register.

The consultation closes 19 July.2016

For more information, pls refer to: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-05-20/pdf/2016-11866.pdf

    BACL testing will Continuous follow up and update information this consultation.