California Adopts New Food Contact Packaging Restrictions and Cookware Labeling Requirements

California introduces regulations to restrict perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food contact materials and articles derived from plant fibers. The law also requires the disclosing of designated chemicals contained in cookware.

The State Governor sighed AB 1200 into law on October 5, 2021. It adds a new Chapter 15 ‘Chemicals of Concern in Food Packaging and Cookware’, commencing with Section 109000, to the state’s Health and Safety Code in Part 3 of Division 104.

Under the terms of the law, PFAS will be restricted to less than 100 ppm (as total organic fluorine). PFAS are a family of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom. It applies to food packaging that is substantially made of paper, paperboard, or from materials using fibers derived from plants and includes eating utensils, food boxes, food or beverage containers, liners, serving vessels, straws, take-out food containers, unit product boxes, wrappers and disposable plates, bowls and trays.

The law also requires the disclosure of specified chemicals contained in the cookware handle or surfaces that may come into contact with food, foodstuffs or beverages. The designated list contains substances that have been identified as candidate chemicals, exhibiting a hazard trait or an environmental or toxicological endpoint that meets the criteria in regulations adopted by the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) pursuant to Article 14 (commencing with Section 25251) of Chapter 6.5 of Division 20. This is published on the DTSC’s website.

Disclosure must be done online (in the sale listing) and/or on the product label.

Online disclosure requires:

  1. List of designated chemicals contained in the cookware
  2. Names of the authoritative list(s) referenced by the DTSC in compiling the designated list on which each chemical is present
  3. Link to internet website for the authoritative list(s) in point 2

Product labels should contain the introductory phrase, ‘This product contains:’, followed by a bi-lingual statement (English and Spanish) reading ‘For more information about chemicals in this product, visit’. This must then be followed by both of the following:

  1. Internet website address or a web page that provides all of the information in online disclosure
  2. Quick response (QR) code or other machine-readable code, consisting of an array of squares, used for storing an internet website for a web page that provides all of the information in the online disclosure requirements

Cookware exemptions must meet both of these criteria:

  1. Surface area of the cookware is less than 2 square inches
  2. Cookware does not have:
    • Exterior container or wrapper on which a product label can appear or be affixed
    • Tag or other attachment with information about the product attached to the cookware

Cookware is defined as durable and used in homes and restaurants to prepare, dispense, or store food, foodstuffs, or beverages – includes baking molds, baking sheets, bowls, grills, pans, pots, skillets, trays and cooking utensils.

The new regulations come into effect on January 1, 2023.

SGS Food Contact Materials Services

SGS’s technical experts have extensive experience of testing materials and articles in contact with food. They can ensure that your products meet the appropriate regulations for food contact materials and pave the way for compliance. SGS offers the full range of testing, including migration tests, along with expert advice on emerging regulations, compliance issues and documentation review. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Learn more about SGS’s Food Contact Materials Services.

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full California, USA, Regulates PFAS in Certain Food Packaging and Requires Information for Cookware SafeGuardS.

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For further information contact:

Dr. Hingwo Tsang

Global Information and Innovation Manager

Tel: (+852) 2774 7420

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines

LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail

About SGS

We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. Our 93,000 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.

New Data Analysis Identifies Simple Behaviors that Reverse Diabetes and Bring Blood Sugar Levels back Under Control

A new analysis of patients with diabetes has identified the most popular behaviors, foods and activities that reverse their condition, and return blood sugar levels back to the normal range without medication.

The data analysis involved 5,355 people who used the diabetes management app, Klinio, for a minimum of 14 days, and logged their blood sugar levels, meals and activities.

The analysis found it took an average 36 days for patients with prediabetes to bring their blood sugar levels under control and 52 days for patients with type 2 diabetes when they drank 7 glasses of water a day and took 7,500 daily steps. And the longer app users stuck with this behavior, the more their blood sugar levels stabilized, according to the data analysis.

Blood sugar levels that drop by at least 5 percent in the first 7 days of reporting and are below 7.8 mmol/L are typically classified as improving conditions.

Dr. Braden Barnett, Medical Advisor to Klinio, said the team at Klinio conducted the data analysis to quantify how simple lifestyle changes could lower blood sugar levels for people with diabetes.

“When you’re in the middle of a diabetes battle, it’s not always easy to see the end,” said Barnett.  “But diabetes can be improved with simple health changes in a short period of time, and this data proves it. If you stick with a diabetes management plan, like in our study - Klinio-, the data shows blood sugar levels drop. And the longer you stick with the diabetes plan, the better results you see.”

Consumers can download the Klinio app for free with iOS or Android.

Direct Relationship Between Weight Loss and Tracking Blood Sugar

The data analysis also found a direct correlation between weight loss and tracking blood sugar levels. Patients with diabetes who had the discipline to track and control their blood sugar levels had a better than 1 in 2 chance (56 percent) of losing weight, compared to those who didn’t control their levels and had a 43 percent chance of weight loss. This finding was consistent among all users, regardless of how often or how long they used Klinio. 

Patients with prediabetes showed the largest benefit from tracking: 61 percent of them lost weight when they tracked their blood sugar levels. 

“It takes discipline to continually track blood sugar levels, but that was our biggest finding: that discipline overtime will lead to better health,” said Barnett. “If you make the effort with tracking, diabetics will see the results in a relatively short period of time.

Diabetics Who Show Most Health Improvement

As part of their behavior analysis, Klinio took a specific look at diabetics who got the healthiest and brought their diabetes under control. Their analysts found the most popular foods by people who lowered their blood sugar levels were oats, various berries, olive oil, seeds, avocado and fresh vegetables and fruits.

“Our diet findings reinforce our conclusion around discipline. Diabetics who are disciplined enough to track their blood sugar levels also tend to eat healthier,” said Barnett.

One in 3 Americans have prediabetes, and one in 5 Americans will have full-on diabetes by 2025, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

MEDIA CONTACT

Mark Macias

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646-770-0541

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Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Certificate Program Offered at NACPT Pharma College Canada

TORONTO, October 16, 2021 - As a pioneer in Pharmaceutical Training in Canada, NACPT Pharma College has introduced Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Training led by industry professionals. NACPT Pharma College, an award-winning career college in healthcare, has introduced the Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance Certificate Program.

The Pharmaceutical QA program at NACPT is to focus on the concept of quality assurance and the contributions of quality assurance in a pharmaceutical organization. The program will cover a wide range of subjects such as comprehensive common quality applications, tools, processes, and systems relevant to the pharmaceutical industry.

“Quality assurance is one of the most important sectors in the pharmaceutical industry,” said Rathi Param, Dean, NACPT Pharma College “and there is a high demand for professionals with in-depth knowledge in this sector.” Professions such as Quality Assurance Auditors, Change Control Coordinators, QA Associates, Technical Writers, Regulatory Affairs Associates, Validation Specialists can be pursued with a pharmaceutical quality assurance training. NACPT Pharma College announced the online or onsite training method for students who cater to specific needs.

With affiliations of highly reputable organizations (Validation Techs Inc. and International Medical Cannabis Association (IMCA), NACPT Pharma College provides pharmaceutical corporate training, full-spectrum of analytical testing services for licensed producers, consulting services, Health Canada approved research and development (R&D) services for pharmaceutical, medical cannabis and NHP sectors.

About Us
NACPT Pharma College, o/a North American College of Pharmaceutical Technology (NACPT) is a career college that operates as a PCC under PCC Act, 2005. Currently, NACPT Pharma College has two campuses located in the heart of Toronto and Mississauga, Ontario. NACPT is a leading career college in Canada that provides in-depth skill training in pharmaceutical, cannabis, business, technology and related fields in order to maximize the job and business opportunities within the target industries. For over ten years, NACPT has offered specialized in-depth skill training, graduate and post-graduate diploma programs in both the pharmaceutical and cannabis industries. In addition, NACPT has been offering various cannabis skills training and business incubation programs since 2017. NACPT Pharma College is affiliated and partnered with many leading pharmaceuticals, cannabis, technology, IT and related companies with the intention of providing job placement within the industry-related sectors.

Contact Us:
Sandra Dipic
Site Coordinator, NACPT Pharma College
9 - 5310 Finch Ave East, Toronto, ON M1S 5E8
201 - 25 Watline Ave, Mississauga, ON L4Z 2Z1
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Inquiry: 416-412-7374 (Ext. 1)
Call / Text: 647-998-7374
https://www.nacptpharmacollege.com/course/pharmaceutical-quality-assurance/

Analytix Accounting Will Exhibit at Scaling New Heights 2021

Analytix Accounting will exhibit at Scaling New Heights 2021 from October 24-27, 2021, in Fort Worth, Texas.

Scaling New Heights 2021 is an exclusive event for accounting technologists, and accounting professionals that brings together thousands of accounting experts, CFO, bookkeepers, technologists, tax preparers, CPAs and exhibitors. The mission of the conference is to provide highlights of new products and innovations, sales, marketing, educational, and networking opportunities for companies, financial organizations, and accounting professionals. Scaling New Heights provides the highest quality educational, networking, and advocacy opportunities, and the largest selection of accounting products and services under one roof.

Analytix Accounting (https://www.analytixaccounting.com/) will showcase its full range of comprehensive and customizable finance and accounting products and services at the event. We believe in providing end-to-end solutions to CFO, Accounting and CPA firms, and other businesses. Visit us at booth #104 to learn more about how our advanced technology and industry expertise can reduce the administrative burden on your staff and boost productivity. We provide comprehensive assistance, from supplementing staff to supplying technical expertise, with customized solutions. Our experienced accounting team collaborates with the latest technology and skill sets to provide advanced solutions designed to optimize your business.

We help businesses to improve their processes at every step of management, so you collect every earned dollar. Our team of trained experts manages complex and tedious projects to ensure error-free bookkeeping and accounting. This allows our clients to focus on strategically growing their business, while we manage the daily workflow and streamline processes.

ABOUT ANALYTIX

Analytix (https://www.analytix.com/) is a one-stop integrated solutions provider delivering high-quality services consistently, cost-effectively, and collaboratively. Our extensive experience, combined with our deep industry knowledge and technical expertise, allows us to develop customizable solutions. Analytix's cross-disciplinary domain expertise includes accounting, finance, medical billing, IT, and AV.

GJEL Recognized as Top Law Firm By Best Lawyers and US News and World Report

San Jose, CA. (Oct. 18, 2021) -- GJEL has been recognized as Best Lawyers and Best Law Firms for 2022 by Best Lawyers and US News & World Report.

Best Lawyers is a peer review publication that recognizes attorneys and law firms that are leaders in the industry. The peer review methodology is designed to capture professional attorneys’ opinions about their colleagues in their respective practice and geographical areas.

The process to win the Best Law Firms award requires the winner to be nominated by individuals not employed by the firm. The nominations are peer reviewed by currently recognized lawyers who assess the impact of the reported firm’s work. Then the feedback is analyzed and the firm’s credentials and its good standing with the local bar association is confirmed. Finally, Best Lawyers releases the winners of the year’s awards.

The Best Law Firm award is practice area and location-specific. The Best Lawyers review method considers hundreds of factors when selecting the year’s winner. These factors include:

  • Comments from attorneys previously recognized by Best Lawyers;
  • The firm’s impact in its specific practice area;
  • Review of the firm’s previous Best Lawyers awards, including Lawyer of the Year; and
  • Analysis of the firm’s expertise in its practice area.

GJEL received recognition for its California-based personal injury litigation - plaintiffs practice area, as well as its mass tort litigation/class actions - plaintiffs practice area. In these practice areas, GJEL represents victims of negligence and other tortious conduct; attorneys fight for clients to receive fair compensation. GJEL’s other practice areas include torts like hit-and-run car accidents and wrongful death claims.

GJEL is proud to receive this recognition from our colleagues from a national reviewer like Best Lawyers.

In addition to being named a 2021 best law firm, five GJEL attorneys have also received recognition from their peers through Best Lawyers. These recognized attorneys are

  • Luke Ellis,
  • Andrew R. Gillin,
  • Ralph L. Jacobson,
  • James P. Larsen, and
  • Kristin M. Lucey.

All GJEL’s recognized attorneys received praise for their personal injury and mass tort action litigation on behalf of California plaintiffs. Luke Ellis and Andy Gillin have consistently earned this award since 2007. 

All the attorneys at GJEL “love to fight for the little guys,” comments Andy Gillin. “Our team of attorneys is humbled to have our work recognized by Best Lawyers as a Best Law Firm in 2021. If you need a competent attorney in a personal injury or mass tort claim, reach out to us. We stand at the ready to get you the compensation you deserve.”
GJEL strives to cultivate a one-on-one relationship with clients to understand the individual needs and goals of clients throughout the litigation process. To maintain this relationship, the firm is selective about the clients it takes on and focuses on quality over quantity. In an effort to serve clients throughout California, GJEL has offices throughout California, including in San Francisco, San Jose, Berkeley, Hayward, and other cities.