Nanoplastics Linked to Parkinson’s Disease and Related Dementias – According to a November 17, 2023 Sciences Advances article https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adi8716 researchers with Duke University, USA report that our “… results highlight a potential link for further exploration between nanoplastic pollution and α-synuclein aggregation associated with Parkinson’s disease and related dementias …” #NanoPlastics #ParkinsonsDisease @DukeU
Analytical Methods for Microplastics in Food Reviewed - According to a November 16, 2023 American Chemical Society Food Science and Technology article https://doi.org/10.1021/acsfoodscitech.3c00285 by researchers with Uka Tarsadia University, India; Shivaji University, India; and Mie University, Japan “… This Review critically focuses on the current challenges in analyzing microplastics (MPs) in solid and liquid samples, particularly in food products with the greatest potential for MPs contamination … Polyethylene, polystyrene, poly(ethylene terephthalate), and polypropylene are the four main types of polymers found in food … The present review generalizes the combination of techniques that are better suited for the detection of MPs in food and provides awareness of the presence of MPs in food samples and their toxicities …” #MicroPlastics @utumalibacampus
The Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research (FFAR) to receive $37 Million in 2024 “… for agricultural research through FFAR’s unique public-private partnerships …” according to a November 17, 2023 FFAR news release https://foundationfar.org/news/ffar-applauds-president-biden-congressional-leadership-on-passing-a-farm-bill-extension/ - Congressional leaders passed a Continuing Resolution that includes a one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill. @FoundationFAR
About ADFPI NEWS
| The reason-for-being/goal/purpose/objective/intent of the Animal Digestible Food Packaging Initiative http://www.adfpi.org is to convince/persuade/inspire/encourage the food industry to establish and partially fund a public private partnership (PPP) for the discovery of new food packaging materials that would be digestible by animals. Why should the food processing industry establish a public private partnership for the discovery of new food packaging materials? ~ Because a significant amount of plastic food packaging is “improperly discarded;” that is, it finds its way to land and waterways where it is left to naturally degrade into macro, micro and nano size plastic particles. ~ And because, for the following reasons Improperly Discarded Plastic Food Packaging (IDPFP) is a food industry scientific, legislative, regulatory, and public affairs issue: ~ Wildlife, including marine food sources, are exposed to IDPFP in their natural environment where it naturally degrades into macro, micro and nano size plastic particles: ~ Adverse biological effects of macro size plastic particles have been demonstrated; ~ Adverse biological effect studies of micro and nano size plastic particles are underway; for some species, adverse biological effects have been demonstrated; currently, there are no known adverse human health effects from exposure to IDPFP from micro and nano size particles. ~ Governments around the world are developing legislative and regulatory mandates to prevent the environmental release of IDPFP, including the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) where producers are required to accept financial or physical responsibility for the treatment or disposal of discarded consumer products. ~ Consumers are increasingly applying Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors to the companies from which they purchase consumer products and investors are applying ESG factors in their decision-making process. ~ Lawsuits against companies for alleged false environmental claims. ~ Recycling difficulties. ~ Constant social and mainstream media attention. Food packaging materials that serve the food safety and other beneficial uses of plastic, but that, when improperly discarded, naturally degrade into a food source for animals, including ubiquitous microorganisms, either do not exist or are not readily available; the only way such food packaging materials will be found is for the food industry to fund research in cooperation with others, such as the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research https://foundationfar.org/, seeking such materials, which is the reason for being of the Animal Digestible Food Packaging Initiative www.adfpi.org ADFPI News does its best to keep its readers informed of current developments on a free of charge basis. ~ The archive of Latest News is here: https://adfpi.org/news/ ~ New readers may contact Jack Cooper at JLC@adfpi.org to have their email address added to the free of charge MailChimp distribution list. The Initiative is continuing to seek Advisors as explained here: https://adfpi.org/about/board/#advisors Donations – Individuals and organizations may make a tax-free donation at https://www.paypal.com/donate?token=CqXf24yC2ZdOt2OG6D3iOsLF1lVHd8bDQUMuGdtqFqz6f8QHQmle_v3EmDAEqZ2a5cqjUQVfwJd2sOHC ADFPI would welcome an opportunity to present in person a PowerPoint about the subject of “Improperly Discarded Plastic Food Packaging” or “Why the food processing industry should establish a public private partnership for the discovery of new food packaging materials” to student clubs, board of directors, IFT and IAFP meetings, and other groups. Past Presentations - Copies of the following PowerPoints are available by writing to Jack Cooper at JLC@adfpi.org: ~ On July 31, 2022, he met in person and shared the first PowerPoint with the members of the Food Packaging Professional Development Group of the International Association for Food Protection https://www.foodprotection.org/get-involved/professional-development-groups/food-packaging-pdg/ during its 2022 Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania https://www.foodprotection.org/annualmeeting/ ~ On December 15, 2022, he presented virtually the second PowerPoint during the concluding session of the three day virtual Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences (IANFS) Science Innovation Showcase Click to access Detailed-Agenda.pdf ~ On February 28, 2023, he presented in person on the topic “Improperly Discarded Plastic Food Packaging” during the 73rd Pacific Fisheries Technologists Conference February 26 – March 1, 2023, in Renton, Washington www.pftfish.net/2023 and ~ On March 1, 2023, he participated virtually in the Southern California Food Industry Conference https://www.scifts.net/scfic.html on “Improperly Discarded Plastic Food Packaging” Jack Cooper, Executive Director at the Animal Digestible Food Packaging Initiative www.adfpi.org until December 31, 2023 when he will retire and Angela Anandappa angelaanandappa@gmail.com will assume the Executive Director role – See: https://adfpi.org/2023/11/13/angela-anandappa-to-assume-adfpi-executive-director-role-effective-january-1-2024/ ~ E-Mail: JLC@adfpi.org --- Cell: 301 384 8287 ~ LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-cooper-21474b14/ ~ 2023-24 Member of the Future Directions Committee of Phi Tau Sigma - The Honor Society of Food Science and Technology, http://phitausigma.org/ ~ A 20-year Member of the International Association for Food Protection https://www.foodprotection.org/ ~ A 1989 Fellow and 52-Year Member of the Institute of Food Technologists www.ift.org ~ Founder and Past Partner (1990 to 2017) with Food Industry Environmental Network www.fien.com ~ Served from 1974 to 1990 in Washington, DC with National Food Processors Association, the last 13 years as Director, Environmental Affairs. ~ University of California, Davis - Dec 71 BS; Mar 73 MS; both in Food Science; in 71 served as President of the Food Tech Club; in 73 served several months as a Staff Research Associate in the Extension Fruit and Vegetable program and from 2013-17 served as a member of the Leadership Board of the UCD Food Science and Technology Department https://foodscience.ucdavis.edu/people-type/leadership-board ~ 1959 – 69 – Graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in Los Angeles; attended college in Orange and Fullerton, California; joined the US Air Force, served as an Air Policeman at Ramstein AFB, Germany; Lab Tech with a flavor company in Orange, CA and Indianapolis, IN; attended Fullerton Junior College, California. end |