Materials

Nanotechnology used in food packaging needs a European-wide centralised legislative framework to regulate its use, according to a new report by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).

The FSAI believes nanotechnology, the science of engineering materials at the nanoscale (down to 1/100,000 the width of a human hair), provides significant advantages in food production and packaging.

However, The Relevance for Food Safety of Applications of Nanotechnology in the Food and Feed Industries report stresses the need for mandatory labelling of all food products or food packaging which use nanotechnology, so that consumers can make informed purchasing decisions.

It also believes that a national list of all products should be created, compiled and monitored by the FSAI.

It suggests that research should urgently be undertaken to establish an assessment of possible risks in relation to nanotechnology in food.

The FSAI would also like to see standardised risk assessments put in place, whereby food businesses employing this technology are obliged to conduct monitoring processes and should be held legally accountable on all stages of production.

Alan Reilly, deputy chief executive of the FSAI, said: "Nanotechnology has a role in development of "intelligent" food packaging that will provide a greater degree of traceability of products. For example, nano-structured metal films and coatings can strengthen bottles and other plastic wrapping material and incorporation of nanosenors into food packaging material will allow for the detection of contaminants such as harmful bacteria in foods and their surrounding environment.

"While offering many benefits to manufacturers and consumers, the application of nanotechnology in the food industry may present new challenges in terms of safety and regulation to ensure that consumers are fully protected," he added.

Click here to read the report.