Global production of food contact materials (FCMs)/packaging is increasing. Least cost formulation is sending food manufacturers in developed countries to source their FCMs in developing countries. Most of these countries have no regulations on the manufacture, use and safety of food contact substances (FCSs) in the FCMs. Many countries are updating their FCM/FCS regulations --- India, Japan, Turkey and the 2004 European Union (EU) regulations. FDA regards FCSs as food additives. The EU’s regulations are based on 17 FCMs (plastic, aper, glass, printing inks, etc.). Most of the world, including Codex Alimentarius and the World Health Organization (WHO) regard FCSs as food contaminants; FDA regards them as food additives. There are more than 6,000 FCM substances on regulatory and non-regulatory lists. 175 of these are Chemicals of Concern (COC). The SIN list (Substitute It Now), SVHC list (Substances of Very High Concern) have disturbingly high numbers of FCSs in FCMs. Plastic packaging has 908 chemicals of which 64 were considered most hazardous for human health. Documented health concerns related to FCSs/FCMs include endocrine disruption, cancer and autism.  New developments in FCSs and FCMs will require regulations --- Food packages that are edible, biodegradable, FCMs with recycled plastic, nanoparticles, etc.