Food Contact Materials

EFSA Consultation on L-Aspartic Acid, N-Benzoyl-, Sodium Salt (1:2) for Plastic Food-Contact Uses

EFSA has launched a March–April 2026 public consultation on a validated application to authorise L-Aspartic acid, N-benzoyl-, sodium salt (1:2) (CAS 2092399-70-5) as a new substance for use in plastic food-contact materials. Food, packaging, and chemical companies should review the dossier and consider commenting, as the outcome will shape whether this substance is added to the EU food-contact framework and under what conditions it may be used.

10 Apr 2026, 15:47open.efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

Japan Cabinet Office Notice No. 33 Amends Standards and Specifications for Foods and Food Additives

Japan has updated its mandatory standards for foods and food additives through Cabinet Office Notice No. 33, effective April 7, 2026. Companies must immediately audit product formulations and specifications against the new requirements to maintain compliance and mitigate market access risks.

9 Apr 2026, 17:37kanpo.go.jpJapan

Thailand Extends Implementation Timeline for Food-Contact Paper Regulation to June 2027

Thailand has proposed a one-year delay for the mandatory enforcement of food-contact paper standards (TIS 2948-2562), moving the implementation date to June 22, 2027. This extension offers a critical window for manufacturers to finalize TISI certification and ensure product compliance without disrupting market access in the immediate term.

3 Apr 2026, 18:55docs.wto.orgThailand

Planet Tracker Warns of Multi-Billion-Dollar PFAS Litigation and Regulatory Risk

A major financial analysis warns of multi-billion-dollar PFAS litigation and regulatory liabilities as active lawsuits and clean-up costs escalate globally. Businesses must urgently integrate PFAS-related financial exposure and remediation costs into corporate disclosure, risk-provisioning, and long-term supply chain strategies.

2 Apr 2026, 09:29edie.netGlobal

European Commission Publishes Facts Page On New Packaging And Packaging Waste Regulation And PFAS Limits

The European Commission has detailed implementation requirements for the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), mandating 100% recyclability and banning specific single-use formats by 2030. Businesses must accelerate transitions to circular packaging designs and phase out PFAS in food-contact materials to ensure market access and meet upcoming collection and recycled content targets.

1 Apr 2026, 18:51environment.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

South Korea MFDS Adopts Stricter PVC Phthalate Limits and Recycled PP Criteria for Food-Contact Materials

South Korea has tightened migration limits for DEHP and DEHA in PVC food-contact materials and established criteria for using mechanically recycled polypropylene in packaging, effective March 2026. Manufacturers must phase out specific phthalates in PVC applications by March 2027 while evaluating new circular economy opportunities for recycled PP under strict closed-loop safety protocols.

1 Apr 2026, 18:48mfds.go.krSouth Korea

European Commission Approves Draft Guidance on EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)

The European Commission has issued draft guidance for the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), clarifying enforcement of PFAS limits and recyclability requirements ahead of the August 2026 application date. Businesses must prepare for immediate compliance with PFAS restrictions in food-contact packaging—with no stock-exhaustion period—and align long-term design strategies with new minimisation and reuse targets.

31 Mar 2026, 19:11environment.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Commission Issues FAQ on Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)

The European Commission has released the first edition of its FAQ guidance for the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), clarifying critical compliance timelines and obligations ahead of the August 2026 general application date. Businesses must prioritize assessments of 'substances of concern' (including PFAS limits in food contact), recyclability design, and recycled-content targets to ensure packaging portfolios meet the phased requirements through 2030.

30 Mar 2026, 12:17environment.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Council Presidency Compromise on Directive Amending Food and Feed Safety Rules in Directives 98/58/EC and 2009/128/EC

The EU Council Presidency has advanced a compromise text to consolidate food and feed safety rules, including the repeal of legacy migration testing directives for plastic food-contact materials. This shift toward a simplified framework signals a tightening of safety standards that will require businesses to update compliance testing and risk assessments for food-contact articles and pesticide use.

29 Mar 2026, 17:48eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

U.S. States Advance PFAS Measures — Wisconsin, New Mexico, Michigan

Wisconsin, New Mexico, and Michigan advanced major PFAS measures in March 2026, introducing remediation funding, mandatory labeling, and phased product bans. Businesses must prepare for New Mexico’s 2027-2032 phase-out of PFAS in consumer goods, signaling a shift toward stricter state-level market access controls.

29 Mar 2026, 17:21env.nm.govUnited States

Japan CAA Updates Annex 1–21 Monomer Reference For Food-Contact Positive List

Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) updated the Annex 1–21 monomer reference list for food-contact materials on March 26, 2026. Manufacturers should audit internal substance databases against this revised reference file to ensure accurate compliance reporting and alignment with the positive list for polymer base materials.

28 Mar 2026, 09:36caa.go.jpJapan

EU PFHxA PFAS Restrictions Under REACH Start Phasing In From April 2026

EU restrictions on PFHxA and related substances under REACH Annex XVII begin phasing in from April 2026, targeting firefighting foams, textiles, food packaging, and cosmetics. Impacted industries must prioritize supply chain transparency and material substitution to meet stringent concentration limits and navigate complex exemptions for technical and medical uses.

28 Mar 2026, 09:02eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

EU EFSA Intake Of Application To Extend Benzyl Alcohol Use In Plastic Food Contact Materials

EFSA has commenced the assessment of an application to expand the authorized use of benzyl alcohol in plastic food contact materials. A positive outcome would provide greater flexibility for plastic packaging formulations, though current compliance obligations remain unchanged until a formal opinion is issued.

27 Mar 2026, 20:01open.efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

EU EFSA Registers Intake of GTL Paraffin Oils Application for Plastic Food Contact Uses

EFSA has commenced the safety evaluation of gas-to-liquid (GTL) paraffin oils for potential authorization as a new substance in plastic food contact materials. A positive opinion would expand material options for food-grade plastics, though manufacturers must await formal amendment of Regulation (EU) 10/2011 before use.

27 Mar 2026, 18:39open.efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

EU/EEA Extends PHMB (1415; 4.7) Approval for Biocidal Product Types 2 and 4 to April 2029

The EU/EEA has extended the approval of PHMB (1415; 4.7) for biocidal product types 2 and 4 until April 30, 2029. This extension prevents market disruption for disinfectant products while authorities finalize a delayed safety and efficacy re-evaluation.

27 Mar 2026, 18:38regjeringen.noEuropean UnionNorway

Constantia Flexibles To Phase Out PFAS-Containing Packaging Ahead of EU PPWR Deadline

A major global packaging manufacturer is phasing out all PFAS-containing products ahead of the EU PPWR August 2026 compliance deadline. This supply chain shift accelerates the transition toward PFAS-free flexible packaging as the market standard, necessitating rapid substitution for downstream brands.

27 Mar 2026, 07:51spnews.comEuropean Union

Taiwan TFDA Amends F01/F02 Import Inspection Goods Classification Tables Effective 1 April 2026

Taiwan's TFDA has updated the F01/F02 import classification tables, effective April 1, 2026, modifying the scope of mandatory inspections for food-related products. Importers must immediately verify CCC codes for food contact materials, detergents, and food products to avoid border delays or non-compliance under the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation.

26 Mar 2026, 19:15fda.gov.twTaiwan

Alabama ADEM Proposes Consent Order for Genpak LLC Over VOC Emissions Violations

Alabama regulators proposed a $62,200 civil penalty against a food container manufacturer in March 2026 for exceeding VOC emission and blowing agent usage limits. This enforcement action underscores the critical need for rigorous air permit monitoring and testing protocols to mitigate financial and reputational risks in chemical-intensive manufacturing.

26 Mar 2026, 19:07adem.alabama.govUnited States

Wisconsin SB1138 Proposes Phased Ban on Products With Intentionally Added PFAS

Wisconsin has introduced legislation to phase out intentionally added PFAS in consumer products by 2032, with a comprehensive ban on all non-essential uses following in 2038. Companies must initiate supply chain mapping to meet 2032 reporting deadlines and evaluate product portfolios for "unavoidable use" exemptions to maintain market access.

26 Mar 2026, 19:06docs.legis.wisconsin.govUnited States

EU EFSA Starts Risk Assessment of New Plastic Food-Contact Substance (EFSA-Q-2026-00015)

EFSA has commenced a formal risk assessment for a new plastic food-contact additive (CAS 2649373-38-4), with a target completion date of September 2026. A positive outcome would lead to the substance's inclusion in the EU authorized list, expanding material choices for food packaging innovation.

26 Mar 2026, 18:58open.efsa.europa.euEuropean Union