The Food Packaging Forum Foundation (FPF) is a nonprofit research foundation[1] established in 2012 and based in Zurich, Switzerland.[2] FPF researches and communicates scientific evidence on chemicals in Food contact materials (e.g., food packaging, Food processing equipment), and their implications for human and environmental health.[3][4][5] It publishes news and background articles, maintains open databases on food-contact chemicals, and convenes a semi-annual multi-stakeholder workshop. Topics within the organization's scope of work include issues such as chemical migration, endocrine disruptors, Microplastics, low dose effects, and mixture toxicity.
The foundation is governed by a Foundation Board[11] and advised by a Scientific Advisory Board;[12] members serve in a personal capacity and are not compensated for board service. As of 2025 the Foundation Board is chaired by Prof. Dr. Martin Scheringer; the Managing Director and Chief Scientific Officer is Dr. Jane Muncke.
FPF reports operating with a mix of unrestricted donations and project-specific grants. Unrestricted donors have included companies in the glass packaging sector (Bucher Emhart Glass, Consol, O-I Glass, Vetropack, Verallia North America, Vidrala, BA Glass).[13] Project funders have included MAVA Foundation, Plastic Solutions Fund, Minderoo Foundation, Adessium Foundation, Sympany Foundation,[14] Fondation Valery, and others, as well as EU and national research programmes.[15] The foundation is registered in the EU Transparency Register.[16]
Events
The Food Packaging Forum organizes meetings, webinars, and presentations about food packaging issues[17] and runs a semi-annual workshop aimed to support dialogue surrounding improving food safety.[18]
Research and Databases
The Food Packaging Forum specializes in running systematic evidence maps (SEMs) on issues related to chemicals and microplastics from food contact materials. Wolffe et al. (2019)[19] defines SEMs as tools to support decision-making in chemicals policy and risk management and concludes that SEMs "can be used as a critical precursor to efficient deployment of high quality SR [systematic review] methods for characterizing chemical health risks. Furthermore, SEMs have potential, at a large scale, to support the sort of evidence summarization and surveillance methods which would greatly increase the resource efficiency, transparency and effectiveness of regulatory initiatives."
Food Contact Chemicals Database (FCCdb): An open database compiling intentionally used food-contact chemicals from regulatory and industry lists;[32] launched in conjunction with a peer-reviewed paper in Environment International that reported 12,000+ substances and summarized hazard information.[33]
Database on Migrating and Extractable Food Contact Chemicals (FCCmigex): A systematic evidence map of chemicals measured in migrates and extracts of FCMs and articles. The original study was published in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition in 2022.[34] The 2025 update reports ~5,300 chemicals from ~1,500 studies and >35,500 entries.[35]
Micro- and nanoplastics in contact with food (FCMiNo): A systematic evidence map and dashboard of micro- and Nanoplastics released into foods through normal, intended use of plastic and other food contact articles.[40] The associated study was published in 2025 in Npj Science of Food.[41]
Brand & Retailer Initiatives Database (BRID): A public dashboard tracking voluntary packaging actions and commitments by brands and retailers worldwide since 2013.[42] In 2025 FPF added a filter to flag actions that were rescinded or scaled back.[43]
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