Objectives
The task force aims to advance the science that underlies the safety, quality and traceability of packaged foods. It endeavours to identify food packaging issues of common interest to its members and to facilitate scientific debates. This is done through meetings, symposia, and commissioned research projects. Close collaboration with the European Commission (EC) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) ensures that the results contribute to the scientific background for EC directives.
Another objective of the task force is to generate informative and comprehensive scientific documents that cover essential aspects of packaging materials. Therefore, the task force has launched a report series on packaging materials for a broad audience. These reports compile characteristics and the uses of the different packaging materials, their basic chemistry, safety and toxicology, regulations, and environmental fate. Reports already published address:
1. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET),
2. Polystyrene,
3. Polypropylene,
4. Polyethylene,
5. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC),
6. Paper and board, and
7. Metal packaging for foodstuffs.
They can be downloaded here.
The task force has initiated reports on Printing food contact materials and Multilayer packagings to continue this series.
Safety of packaging in contact with food is a worldwide requirement today. Therefore, the task force collaborates closely with the ILSI North America Project Committee on Food Packaging Safety.
Activities
4th International Symposium on Food Packaging: Scientific Developments Supporting Safety and Quality
The ILSI Europe International Symposia on Food Packaging are held every four years and are internationally recognised as a scientific forum to discuss the science that ensures the safety and quality of food packaging. The 4th International Symposium will be held in Prague (CZ), from 19-21 November 2008, to review and debate the recent advances in the science and to support the demonstration of safety and quality of food packaging. It will also provide a platform to disseminate results of on-going research and to discuss their implications for the future.
The registration will be opened in April 2008. All relevant information and the on-line registration form are accessible here.
The following sessions are planned:
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Exposure and risk assessment (general principles and advances);
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Sustainability and novel packaging (Packaging from renewable resources, Biodegradable materials, Innovations in food packaging materials, Nanomaterials and application of nanotechnology);
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Analytical and toxicological challenges (Complex mixtures of migrants);
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Emerging issues and their impact on risk assessment (inks, coatings, closures, related industry and EU research projects);
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Packaging quality assurance (Supply chain quality assurance, sensory aspects).
Report on Printing Food Contact Materials
The task force chose “Printing food contact materials” as the eighth issue in the report series on packaging materials. A team of authors is currently being identified.
Report on Multilayer Packagings
The task force selected “Multilayer packagings” as the ninth issue in the report series on packaging materials. A team of authors is currently being identified.
Task Force Collaborators
The scientists below participate in the task force and expert groups:
Experts from supporting member companies
Dr. Forrest Bayer, Coca-Cola (USA)
Mr. Bart Brands, Dow Europe (CH)
Dr. Leonor Garcia, Coca-Cola European Union Group (BE)
Dr. Thomas Gude, Swiss Quality Testing Services (CH)
Dr. Monika Huber, Kraft Foods (DE)
Dr. André Mandanis, Nestlé (CH)
Ms. Annick Moreau, Groupe Danone (FR)
Dr. Gabriele Pieper, Tetra Pak Research (DE)
Dr. Edward Price, Unilever (UK)
Dr. Koen Weel, Royal Numico (NL)
Experts from public institutes
Prof. Diana Bánáti, Central Food research Institute - KEKI (HU)
Dr. Timothy Begley, Food and Drug Administration - FDA (US)
Dr. Riccardo Crebelli, National Institute of Health (IT)
Dr. Roland Franz, Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging -IVV (DE)
Prof. John Gilbert, Central Science Laboratory – DEFRA (UK)
Ms. Viviana Golja, Institute of Public Health (SL)
Prof. Nathalie Gontard, University of Montpellier (FR)
Prof. Jana Hajslova, Institute of Chemical Technology (CZ)
Prof. Mikael Hedenqvist, Royal Institute of technology - KTH (SE)
Prof. Jean-Claude Lhuguenot, University of Burgundy – ENSBANA (FR)
Dr. Sara Risch, Michigan State University (USA)
Dr. Annette Schaefer, European Commission – DG SANCO (BE) - Observer
Prof. Thomas Simat, University of Dresden (DE)
Dr. Catherine Simoneau, European Commission - JRC (IT)
Dr. Anne Theobald, European Food Safety Authority - EFSA (IT) - Observer
Dr. Ulphard Thoden van Velzen, Wageningen University (NL)
Publications:
B. Brands, L. Castle et al. Guidance for Exposure Assessment of Substances Migrating from Food Packaging Materials. 2007. Expert Group Report reviewed at a workshop held in March 2007. *
P. Oldring and U. Nehring. Packaging Materials 7. Metal Packaging for Foodstuffs. ILSI Europe Report Series 2007:1-40.
J. Gilbert, A. Theobald eds. Food Packaging: Ensuring the Safety, Quality and Traceability of Foods. Food Additives and Contaminants 2005;22(10):899-1071. (Proceedings)
D. Ottenio, J-Y Escabasse and B. Podd. Packaging Materials 6. Paper and Board for Food Packaging Applications. ILSI Europe Report Series 2004:1-24.
J. Leadbitter. Packaging Materials 5. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) for Food Packaging Applications. ILSI Europe Report Series 2003:1-20.
P. Tice. Packaging Materials 4. Polyethylene for Food Packaging Applications. ILSI Europe Report Series 2003:1- 23.
P. Tice. Packaging Materials 3. Polypropylene as a Packaging Material for Food and Beverages. ILSI Europe Report Series 2002:1-24.
P. Tice. Packaging Materials 2. Polystyrene for Food Packaging Applications. ILSI Europe Report Series 2002:1-20.
J. Gilbert and A. López de Sá, Editors. Food Packaging: Ensuring the Safety and Quality of Foods. Food Additives and Contaminants 2002;19:1-228. (Proceedings)
K. Svensson. Exposure from Food Contact Materials. ILSI Europe Report Series 2002:1-22.
V. Matthews. Packaging Materials 1. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) for Food Packaging Applications. ILSI Europe Report Series 2000:1-16.
L. Castle, N de Kruijf, R. Franz et al. Recycling of Plastics for Food Contact Use. ILSI Europe Report Series 1998:1-20.
J. Gilbert Editor. Food Packaging: Ensuring the Safety and Quality of Foods. Food Additives and Contaminants 1997;14(6-7):517-789. (Proceedings)
J. Gilbert and R. Franz. Food Consumption and Packaging Usage Factors. ILSI Europe Report Series 1997:1-12.
* As this document is not compatible with the ILSI Europe Concise Monograph and Report Series, it was decided to place it on the ILSI Europe website for the information of those interested in this topic. It has not been independently reviewed.
For more information, please contact info@ilsieurope.be.