Food Contact Materials

Slovenian Consumer Association Finds Bisphenols and Other Contaminants in Kitchen Towels

In May 2026 the Slovenian Consumer Association published independent lab tests on 13 paper kitchen towel brands, finding bisphenols and microbiological contamination in some recycled-fibre products and deeming at least one towel unsuitable for direct food contact. These results highlight higher risk profiles for certain recycled paper kitchen towels and may prompt manufacturers and retailers to tighten control of recycled fibre streams and anticipate pressure for stricter limits on bisphenols and hygiene in paper-based food-contact materials.

24 May 2026, 21:14zps.siSlovenia

China GACC To Conduct Random Inspections On Certain Import And Export Commodities From 1 June 2026

China’s customs authority has issued Announcement No. 57 of 2026 to launch random inspections on selected import and export consumer goods that are not otherwise subject to statutory inspection, effective 1 June 2026. Companies trading baby and children’s products, food-contact items, footwear and electronic products into or out of China should anticipate stricter border controls and align quality and documentation processes to avoid clearance delays, returns or penalties.

24 May 2026, 20:48customs.gov.cnChina

EFSA Assesses Poly(2‑Ethyl‑2‑Oxazoline) and UV Absorber for Plastic Food Contact Materials

In March 2026, EFSA’s Panel on Food Contact Materials issued scientific opinions concluding that poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) and a new UV absorber for PET are safe for specified food-contact uses under defined migration and use conditions. These assessments signal likely future authorisations under EU plastics food-contact legislation, offering new compliant options for filter membranes and PET packaging while maintaining restrictions around infant uses and impurity migration limits.

23 May 2026, 08:49efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.comEuropean Union

EU Parliament ENVI–AGRI Committees Discuss Commission Food And Feed Safety Omnibus Package

On 5 May 2026 the European Commission presented its Food and Feed Safety Omnibus simplification package to the Parliament’s ENVI and AGRI committees, moving the December 2025 proposals into the parliamentary phase. This hearing signals that major changes to EU pesticide, biocides, food and feed safety, residue and official‑control rules are progressing, so agri‑food and crop‑protection businesses should start planning for streamlined but potentially tighter authorisation and import‑residue regimes.

21 May 2026, 06:39europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

FAO Report Calls for Robust Risk Assessment for Recycled Plastic Food Packaging

FAO has issued a 2026 technical study calling for more robust, science-based risk assessment and globally harmonised standards for recycled plastics and alternative food contact materials. This non-binding analysis is likely to shape future Codex and national packaging rules, influencing design and compliance strategies for food and beverage packaging supply chains worldwide.

20 May 2026, 19:52doi.orgGlobal

China CFSA Consults on New Methacrylate Polymer for Food-Contact Coatings

China's food safety authority CFSA is consulting from 23 April to 23 May 2026 on approving a new methacrylate polymer (CAS 1874228-60-0) for use in food-contact coatings under defined migration limits and labelling conditions. If adopted, coatings and packaging suppliers serving the Chinese market will need to ensure formulations, ethanol content, temperatures and labels comply with the proposed SMLs and use restrictions to maintain food-contact compliance.

20 May 2026, 17:47cfsa.net.cnChina

Denmark: EU Packaging Regulation – PFAS Limits and New Producer‑Responsibility Rules from 12 August 2026

Denmark is preparing to implement the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation from 12 August 2026, introducing PFAS and heavy‑metal limits for packaging, mandatory conformity declarations and identification numbers, and new producer‑responsibility definitions that shift who is legally responsible for packaging placed on the Danish market. Packaging producers, importers and downstream users will need to redesign packaging and traceability systems, reassign producer‑responsibility roles, and adjust 2025–2026 reporting (including reusable‑packaging data and future single-use plastics cleanup fees) to avoid non‑compliance and unexpected cost and liability shifts.

20 May 2026, 07:07mst.uxmail.ioDenmarkEuropean Union

Alaska Senate Passes HB 25 Polystyrene Foam Food-Service Ban, Bill Awaits House Concurrence

Alaska’s legislature is advancing HB 25, which would prohibit most restaurants and state agencies from using polystyrene foam disposable food service ware statewide from 1 January 2027, while enabling safe use of reusable customer containers and allowing limited exemptions. If enacted broadly as now drafted, the measure would push food-service businesses and packaging suppliers toward non-foam and reusable options, with local opt-outs and DEC regulations shaping how quickly operations, procurement, and waste strategies must adjust.

20 May 2026, 06:04akleg.govUnited States

Alaska Senate Advances HB25 Disposable Polystyrene Food Service Ware Ban to Third Reading

Alaska lawmakers are advancing HB25, a Senate committee substitute bill that would largely ban polystyrene foam disposable food service ware for restaurants and state agencies, with limited exemptions and a prospective start date of 1 January 2027. If enacted, restaurants and public bodies in Alaska will need to phase out most polystyrene foam take-away packaging ahead of 2027 or rely on narrow hardship and municipal opt-out provisions, aligning the state with wider moves against single-use plastics.

19 May 2026, 21:04akleg.govUnited States

Gansu Market Regulator Launches Six-Month Crackdown on Online Food and Health Food False Advertising

From April 2026, the Gansu provincial market regulator is running a six-month enforcement campaign targeting false online advertising of food and health foods across e-commerce and livestreaming platforms. Online food brands and platforms operating in Gansu face heightened scrutiny, licence revocation and blacklisting risks, signalling a tougher enforcement climate for digital food and health-product marketing in China.

19 May 2026, 15:27samr.gov.cnChina

Rhode Island House Schedules Hearing on Bill H8415 to Ban Black Plastic Takeout Containers

Rhode Island lawmakers have scheduled a 19 May 2026 committee hearing on House Bill 8415, which would ban the use of black plastic takeout containers for prepared foods and drinks. If advanced, the bill would push food service businesses and packaging suppliers to replace black plastic containers in the state, signalling tighter controls on single-use plastic packaging.

18 May 2026, 17:47legiscan.comUnited States

EU Commission Opens Feedback on Food and Feed Safety Simplification Omnibus X Directive

The European Commission is consulting on its Food and Feed Safety Simplification Omnibus X Directive, which would amend pesticides, animal welfare and food-contact legislation as part of a wider burden-reduction package, with feedback windows running through late May and mid-June 2026. Agriculture, food, feed, chemicals and packaging businesses should assess how new rules on drone pesticide application, simplified farm record keeping and streamlined food-contact testing could affect compliance strategies, investment decisions and operational planning across EU markets.

16 May 2026, 08:57ec.europa.euEuropean Union

Slovenia Recalls Black Plastic Brabantia Ladle Over Primary Aromatic Amines Migration

Slovenia’s Health Inspectorate has ordered the recall of a black plastic Brabantia ladle sold by LES-MMS d.o.o. in Lesnina stores after tests, triggered by an EU RASFF notification, found excessive migration of primary aromatic amines into food. This reinforces regulatory scrutiny of chemical safety in plastic food-contact utensils and signals that manufacturers and retailers must ensure robust material compliance controls and traceability for kitchenware placed on the EU market.

15 May 2026, 13:35gov.siSloveniaEuropean Union

EU NGOs Urge EU Leaders To Uphold PPWR Application Date And PFAS Packaging Ban

A large coalition of NGOs, consumer groups and reuse-focused businesses has issued a joint letter urging EU leaders to reject industry lobbying to delay the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation and to keep its August 2026 application date, including the PFAS ban in food-contact packaging. This high-profile advocacy highlights that PPWR timelines and core obligations remain politically sensitive but unchanged, reinforcing the need for packaging and food companies to prepare for the 12 August 2026 application date and related implementing measures.

15 May 2026, 08:50eeb.orgEuropean Union

US FDA Requests Information on Azodicarbonamide (ADA) in Food and Food-Contact Uses

FDA has opened an information-gathering process on the uses, exposure and safety of azodicarbonamide (ADA) in US food and food-contact materials, with stakeholder comments and data due by 13 July 2026. Food, packaging and chemical suppliers relying on ADA should assess their portfolios, consider submitting robust use and safety evidence, and prepare for potential future changes to permitted ADA uses or limits in the US market.

14 May 2026, 18:51federalregister.govUnited States

Slovenia Announces Recalls and Market Withdrawals for Multiple Foods and Consumer Products

In May 2026 Slovenian authorities, via consumer group ZPS, announced multiple recalls and market withdrawals covering frozen prawns, enoki mushrooms, a soft drink, a herbal liqueur, a children’s bracelet and a plastic spaghetti spoon due to microbiological contamination and chemical or physical safety risks. These actions highlight heightened scrutiny of imported foods and low-cost consumer goods, signalling to manufacturers and retailers the need for tighter supplier controls, additive compliance and food-contact material testing for products placed on the Slovenian market.

14 May 2026, 09:29zps.siSlovenia

US FDA Requests Information on Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) in Food and Food Contact Uses

US FDA has issued a Federal Register request for information on the current uses, exposure and safety data for the antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) in human food and food-contact materials, with comments due by 13 July 2026. The findings will feed into FDA’s post-market reassessment of BHT and could lead to changes in permitted uses or limits, so food, packaging and ingredient suppliers should map where BHT appears in their portfolios and consider submitting robust data to protect or adjust those uses.

13 May 2026, 19:19govinfo.govUnited States

Peru Ministry of Health Proposes Amendment to Article 119 on Food-Contact Materials and Packaging

Peru’s Ministry of Health has proposed a Supreme Decree to amend Article 119 of its national food and beverage hygiene regulation, tightening rules for food-contact materials and packaging, prohibiting reuse of non-food containers, and aligning interim requirements with US FDA and EU food-contact standards. If adopted, manufacturers, importers and packaging suppliers will need to ensure their food-contact packaging complies with EU and US benchmarks, prepare for a forthcoming Peruvian technical regulation, and consider engaging in the consultation running into July 2026.

12 May 2026, 12:56members.wto.orgPeru

Plateforme SCA Publishes BuSCA No. 155 on Chemical Contaminants in Rice, Seafood and Fermented Foods

France’s Plateforme SCA has issued BuSCA No.155 summarising recent evidence of heavy metals, plasticisers, mycotoxins, antibiotic residues and marine ciguatoxins in rice, seafood, feed and fermented plant foods across several countries. The bulletin highlights exceedances of existing contaminant limits and emerging toxin signals that may warrant closer supplier oversight, product testing and risk assessment by food and feed operators to stay within regulatory tolerances and anticipate future scrutiny.

12 May 2026, 12:52plateforme-sca.frEuropean UnionSpainItalyGermanyBrazilGlobal

Brazilian Chamber CCJ Approves Ban on Baby Bottles and Pacifiers With Bisphenol A (BPA)

In April 2026 Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies Constitutional and Justice Committee approved bill PL 3075/2011 to amend Law 11.265/2006 and ban the sale and offer of baby bottles, teats, and pacifiers containing bisphenol A (BPA). If the bill clears the remaining parliamentary steps and is enacted, manufacturers and distributors of infant feeding products in Brazil will face a BPA-specific marketing ban, driving reformulation and tighter controls on materials used in childcare products.

12 May 2026, 12:49camara.leg.brBrazil