Denmark, Finland, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Norway and Sweden have in 2013–2015 conducted a Nordic project on food contact materials. Food contact materials are used in all stages of food production and can be a general source of contamination. The food safety authorities in most of the Nordic countries have had a limited focus on the FCM area with the exception of Denmark and Finland. The aim of the project was therefore to control establishments producing, importing or using plastic food contact materials as well as to increase the knowledge of the inspectors performing these controls. The focus of the inspections was to control the declaration of compliance (DoC) for plastic food contact materials. The requirement for a Doc is mandatory in order to ensure that the FCM complies with the legislation. In addition some products were analyzed for phthalates.

Endocrine disruptors (EDs) are substances that adversely affect hormone function. The effects by EDs are thought to depend on both dose and timing of exposure, especially during foetal development. The upcoming EU regulation on identification of EDs, application biocides and pesticides, will have an impact on all actors of the food chain. The consequences of a ban of EDs in foods were discussed in a Nordic workshop (Uppsala, 29-30 Nov 2016) where risk assessors and managers from Nordic food authorities, industry, trade associations, consumer organizations and researchers were represented. It was recognized by all participants that a ban was particularly challenging for the production chain since there are few viable alternatives. A harmonized EU legislation based on scientific risk assessment was preferred compared to national specific legislation as it treats all the actors equally.