Last week, California’s Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) hosted a webinar where it presented initial findings from its evaluation of food packaging, conducted under its Safer Consumer Products Regulations.  During the webinar, DTSC noted that it is considering the prioritization of ortho-phthalates (OPs), bisphenol A (BPA), perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), and/or styrene in food packaging.

The goal of the Safer Consumer Products Regulations is “to create safer substitutes for hazardous ingredients in consumer products sold in California.”  Since the regulations inception in 2013, DTSC has prioritized three products:  Children’s Foam-Padded Sleeping Products with TDCPP or TCEP, Spray Polyurethane Foam Systems with Unreacted Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanates (MDI), and  Paint or Varnish Strippers with Methylene Chloride.

To receive additional information from stakeholders, DTSC is hosting a public meeting on November 19, 2019 to discuss OPs and BPA.  In addition, DTSC will hold a workshop on PFAS and their alternatives in food packaging on January 14, 2020.