The complacency being exhibited by Brussels over the ongoing dioxin contamination incident is every bit as concerning as the carcinogenic chemical that has found its way into the food and feed chains since the end of last year.
Dozens of companies that produce plastic additives for food, beverage and cosmetic packaging have been fined more than €173m for their part in price fixing and market sharing cartels over a 13-year period.
Half of those surveyed in a European wide study said that glass has a more positive impact on the environment than other packaging materials such as plastics, metal cans and cartons, according to the European Container Glass Federation (FEVE).
The European Commission has imposed anti-dumping tariffs of almost
40 per cent on monosodium glutamate (MSG) imported to the EU from
China, following an investigation into the effects of lower-priced
imports on EU industry.
Companies will soon have the freedom to choose the size of
packaging they use for most oftheir products, after a set of
restrictive rules were abolished yesterday by EU ministers.
While the Western European market for plastic caps and closures may
be growing, cosmetics and personal care companies will have to be
less choosy when picking their supplier, report Ahmed ElAmin and
Simon Pitman.