Plastic Softening Chemicals OK for Food Packaging, FDA Says

Phthalates can continue to be used to make food packaging and other materials that touch food, the Food and Drug Administration said Friday in a letter denying an administrative petition to ban them.

The FDA’s decision—its second denying the petition—will lift a stay in a lawsuit before the US District Court for the District of Columbia.

“That case has been stayed pending FDA’s decision on the reconsideration request, which the agency issued today,” said Earthjustice attorney Katherine O’Brien, who represents a coalition of eight health and environmental groups that for years have sought a phthalates ban for food contact ...