European Parliament Adopts Resolution to Harmonize Food Contact Material Regulations
Members of the European Parliament have backed by a 559 to 31 vote,
with 26 abstentions, a non-binding resolution asking the EU to “further
harmonize the safety requirements for food contact materials [FCMs],
which are largely used in everyday life in the form of food packaging,
kitchen utensils and tableware.” According to a news release, “Only four
out of listed 17 food contact materials are currently covered by specific
safety measures foreseen in existing EU framework legislation: plastics,
ceramics, regenerated cellulose and ‘active and intelligent’ materials.”
In particular, the report on the implementation of the Food Contact
Materials Regulation ((EC) No 1935/2004) calls on the Commission to
consider identifying bisphenol A (BPA) as one of the substances classified
as a substance of very high concern (SVHC) under REACH regulations.
It also asks the European Commission to prohibit the use of bisphenol S
(BPS) in FCMs “as a substitute for Bisphenol A (BPA), as BPS may have a
toxicological profile similar to BPA.”
“This is how we ensure that the materials that are in direct contact
with our food are safe,” said rapporteur and Danish MEP Christel
Schaldemose (S&D). “The lack of harmonized rules causes problems for
consumers, for companies, and for the authorities. In reality, it means
that the single market is not a single market: some countries have high
standards, other low standards. We know from various studies that it is
what is in the packaging that is causing health problems. The EU should
therefore revise the current legislation. Food safety should mean the
same thing across the EU.”
Issue 619
