The latest news about safe, sustainable and bio-based materials and products

European Commission publishes draft proposal to restrict microplastics

This proposal could prohibit the use of microplastics in cosmetics, cleaning products, pesticides, and more--covering sources of microplastics that are preventable.

Environment, Leadership, Policy, Regulation, SafetyLeslie HockmanOctober 11, 2022microplastics, European Commission, microplastics in cosmetics, microplastics in cleaning products, microplastics in pesticides, Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) Committee, amending Annex XVII to the REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, synthetic polymer microparticlesComment

New rules for healthy foods: ‘No’ to high levels of added sugar, ‘yes’ to alt-dairy

The U.S. FDA is proposing a new rule which requires foods labeled as healthy to be more consistent with current nutrition science – and, for the first time, places restrictions on added sugar.

Leadership, Policy, RegulationFiona CaseOctober 5, 2022FDA, nutrition science, alt-dairy, added sugarComment

White House announcement of the Bioeconomy Initiative includes support for cultured meat and a streamlined process for regulatory approval

Of particular relevance to Vireo Advisors, LLC and our clients is the intent to improve the clarity and efficiency of the regulatory process for biotechnology products.

Cultured Meat, Leadership, Sustainability, Policy, Regulation, Safety, Guidance, Bio-Based, Food InnovationFiona CaseSeptember 27, 2022White House, U.S. National Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Initiative, cultivating alternative food sources, cultured animal cellsComment

Washington State to Impose Restrictions or Mandate Reporting on Chemical Classes with Well-Established Toxicity

In June 2022, The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) has proposed state-wide chemical restrictions on five classes of chemicals in eleven product categories, the largest number of chemical classes and products to ever be considered by a state at one time.

Policy, Regulation, Safety, Bio-Based, GuidanceLeslie HockmanSeptember 19, 2022The Washington State Department of Ecology, organohalogen flame retardants (OFRs), PFAs, bisphenols, ortho-phthalates, Safer Products for Washington programComment

France and South Africa Ban Plant-Based 'Meat' and Meatless Products from Being Marketed with Names and Terminology of Traditional Meat Products

In July 2022, France became the first European country to ban words that have been used to describe meats or fish — like "steak" — from being used for plant-base meats.

Cultured Meat, Policy, GuidanceLeslie HockmanSeptember 6, 2022plant-based meat, plant-based dairy productsComment

View Dr. Kimberly Ong’s “Solving for Safety” Presentation from the New Harvest 2022: Experience Cellular Agriculture Conference

During the New Harvest 2022: Experience Cellular Agriculture Conference, Dr. Kimberly Ong of Vireo Advisors, LLC discussed how to bring safe products to market by evaluating and demonstrating safety in her presentation “Solving for Safety”.

Commercialization, Cultured Meat, Innovation, Leadership, Risk Analysis, Safety, Regulation, Events, Food Innovation, Sustainability, PolicyLeslie HockmanAugust 31, 2022New Harvest, New Harvest 2022: Experience Cellular Agriculture Conference, Dr. Kimberly Ong, Solving for Safety, cultured meatComment

U. S. research results for all

The Biden administration just announced that by 2025 publications from U.S. federally funded research need be open access as soon as they are published: Currently they can be behind a paywall for 12 months.

Leadership, PolicyFiona CaseAugust 30, 2022Biden Administration, U.S. federally funded research, The Plan S open-access publishing pledge, open-accessComment

Cultured Meat Regulation in Japan

According to a report in The Japan News, a team of experts will be established this fiscal year by the Japanese Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry to investigate whether there are risks in proposed meat cultivation processes that could adversely affect human health.

Update on FDA’s Continuing Efforts to Understand and Reduce Exposure to PFAS from Foods

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued new test results in February 2022 that are part of CFSAN's work to better understand and reduce potential exposure to Perfluoroalkoxy alkanes (PFAS) from foods.

Policy, Regulation, SafetyLeslie HockmanMay 31, 2022FDA CFSAN and USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), Perfluoroalkoxy alkanes, seafood, Total Dietary Study, short-chain PFAS used in food packagingComment

The road ahead for synthetic chemicals

A new European Commission roadmap reveals future directions for chemical regulation in Europe including maintenance of a rolling list of chemicals considered for risk management measures and grouping of chemically similar substances.

Bio-Based, Environment, Policy, Safety, Risk AnalysisFiona CaseMay 23, 2022synthetic chemicals, European Commission, EU, petroleum, bio-based materials, regrettable substitution, Restrictions Roadmap under the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, REACH, REACH Registry of Intentions, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substancesComment