PackStrat SampleJanuary312020 : Page 1

G Volume 28, No. 2 January 31, 2010 e Unbiased global packaging intelligence and analysis Thinner Glass U.S. Glass Container Shipments Jan.-Oct. 2009 vs. Jan.-Oct. 2008 -10 -8 -6 -4 -2 0 2 FDA SHIFT ON BPA SHORT OF A TKO In a move satisfying only those who enjoy heated debate, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) admitted Jan. 15 for the first time that it had “some concerns” about the health effects of bisphenol-A (BPA) on the brain, behavior, and prostate glands of young children. Fractious discussion over BPA has already torn asunder some in packaging. (-4.3%) (-3.6%) (-3.5%) (-4.1%) Many retailers over the past year now refuse to stock plastic baby bottles with the chemical, paving the way for conversions to glass and polypropylene containers (which contain no BPA). Even new formats, such as a stand-up baby food pouch from Plum Organics, are entering the market. But the issue is more delicate for can makers, who use BPA in epoxy coatings for (-10.7%) Source: Glass Packaging Institute IN THIS ISSUE BPA battle lingers ........................................1 2nd Opinion: Stretching the limits ....................................2 A wearying job market ................................3 Paperboard price push. .............................4 Hoops in a box .........................................4-5 The saga of cereal .......................................5 E-beam penetrates pouches ....................6 The molded fiber movement ................. 6-7 Hilex closes the loop ..................................7 Street Talk ......................................................8 Getting To Know Your Newsletter ..........9 PACKAGE DESIGN & Development Summit Bonus Coverage Package design responses to economic concerns ......................10-12 liners. There is no viable alternative, and those liners both serve to protect the quality and safety of the food during processing and keep them safe for food contact. The FDA statement admitted as much, noting that it does not recommend families reduce the use of canned infant formula. That is where the FDA continues to straddle the fence and not form a conclusion. The FDA still is loath to admit there is a problem with low levels of BPA in food packaging, but also said that the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences would spend $30mn study the issue. During a public news briefing, FDA principal deputy commissioner Joshua Sharfstein noted that “if we thought it was unsafe, we would be taking stronger regulatory action.” The FDA is now recommending more study into alternatives to the BPA chemical in food can liners Many outside organizations were dismayed by the FDA’s murky stance. The American Chemistry Counc (ACC) stated that it was encouraged that the FDA stated that food products appear to be safe that use BPA in packaging. Yet, the ACC said it was “disappointed that some of the recommendations are likely to worry consumers and are not well-founded.” Environmental blog Treehugger.com (the name is self-explanatory) bannered a headline reading “FDA on BPA: It Has Some Concern But Not Much.” And the North American Metal Packaging Alliance (NAMPA) said it was ready to help the FDA work through any process change in developing food contact approvals, a slight shift in its position supporting BPA in cans. Packaging Strategies Perspective: In 2008, the FDA termed BPA use safe, citing the many credible tests that have proven no link to health hazards. Yet, some believe that under the Obama Administration, the agency is becoming more aggressive in its approach to potential regulation. PS Unauthorized reproduction in whole or in part prohibited without permission of publisher C e E L e E l B c R A T o I s N y a r f e x e % change Food Beverages Beer Wine Total l n c

BPA battle lingers

In a move satisfying only those who enjoy heated debate, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) admitted Jan. 15 for the first time that it had “some concerns” about the health effects of bisphenol-A (BPA) on the brain, behavior, and prostate glands of young children.

Fractious discussion over BPA has already torn asunder some in packaging.

Many retailers over the past year now refuse to stock plastic baby bottles with the chemical, paving the way for conversions to glass and polypropylene containers (which contain no BPA). Even new formats, such as a stand-up baby food pouch from Plum Organics, are entering the market.

But the issue is more delicate for can makers, who use BPA in epoxy coatings for liners. There is no viable alternative, and those liners both serve to protect the quality and safety of the food during processing and keep them safe for food contact. The FDA statement admitted as much, noting that it does not recommend families reduce the use of canned infant formula.

That is where the FDA continues to straddle the fence and not form a conclusion.

The FDA still is loath to admit there is a problem with low levels of BPA in food packaging, but also said that the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences would spend $30mn to study the issue. During a public news briefing, FDA principal deputy commissioner Joshua Sharfstein noted that “if we thought it was unsafe, we would be taking stronger regulatory action.”

Many outside organizations were dismayed by the FDA’s murky stance. The American Chemistry Council (ACC) stated that it was encouraged that the FDA stated that food products appear to be safe that use BPA in packaging. Yet, the ACC said it was “disappointed that some of the recommendations are likely to worry consumers and are not well-founded.” Environmental blog Treehugger.com (the name is self-explanatory) bannered a headline reading “FDA on BPA: It Has Some Concern But Not Much.” And the North American Metal Packaging Alliance (NAMPA) said it was ready to help the FDA work through any process change in developing food contact approvals, a slight shift in its position supporting BPA in cans.

Packaging Strategies Perspective: In 2008, the FDA termed BPA use safe, citing the many credible tests that have proven no link to health hazards. Yet, some believe that under the Obama Administration, the agency is becoming more aggressive in its approach to potential regulation.

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