In today's landscape of food packaging materials, one of the most formidable challenges confronting suppliers and users is the increasingly complex web of state laws that seek to restrict the presence of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are a class of synthetic chemicals often used in a wide range of applications, including food packaging. Understanding and complying with these evolving regulations is of high importance.

To effectively address this challenge, it becomes essential to delve deep into the intricacies of each state's legislation. Each state crafts its own unique approach to addressing PFAS in food packaging, which leads to variations in the specific language and definitions. Central to understanding is interpreting the scope of food packaging as outlined by these diverse laws. Moreover, one must grasp the details that surround the concept of the "international" addition or introduction of PFAS into materials used for food packaging.

In response to this dynamic regulatory landscape, this presentation aims to serve an invaluable resource. It provides an up-to-date and comprehensive overview of PFAS-related legislation affecting food packaging in the United States. By staying well-informed of the latest developments, stakeholders can make informed decisions that ensure compliance while safeguarding the quality and safety of food packaging materials.

At Plastics and Paper in Contact with Foodstuffs in December, Joan Baughan, Partner, Steptoe will be presenting the state of PFAS regulation in the USA. This presentation will undertake a detailed comparison of the provisions contained within the state laws currently in effect, by examining the similarities and disparities among these regulations. She will shed light on the complicated PFAS legislation and regulations of FCM, join us at the P&P conference on 12-13 December in Amsterdam. Other presentations during the Toxicology and Risk Assessment session include:

• Bisphenol A (BPA) in food contact materials: history, current status and future possibilities, Dr. Malcolm Driffield, Managing Scientist, Chemical Regulation & Food Safety at Exponent International
• Are all mineral oil contaminations critical? A new method to determine the toxicological risk of MOSH & MOAH in food contact materials, Elisa Mayrhofer, Project Manager & Scientist at Austrian Research Institute for Chemistry & Technology
• Functional Barrier Consortium: the pathway of the Novel Technology under EU regulation, José Antonio Alarcon, Secretary of the Functional Barrier Consortium at Petcore Europe

Featuring speakers hailing from companies and industry organisations including FEICA, Barilla, ISEGA, DS Smith, BASF, De'Longhi, EuPIA and many more, the agenda is packed with valuable content, promising that this year's conference will surpass the previous ones. Find out more about the agenda here