Disease and obesity latest targets for nanotechnology

Food scientists have been looking at altering the very structure of ingredients to make potentially beneficial ingredients more palatable and effective in reaching specific parts of the body. Other areas of research cover better packaging, making food last longer, and reducing salt and fact content without changing the taste.

Health advocates have drawn attention to the fact that there are a number of safety concerns, including the risk that tiny particles behave in an unexpectedly negative way, or have toxic properties. They have already called for more environmental health and safety studies on emerging nanotechnologies. The US Food and Drug Administration has stated that nanotechnology has the potential to improve health, both through food and medicinal products. However it has underlined the fact that it makes a crucial provision when it comes to risk assessment for food: the risks associated with drugs are considered along with their benefits, whereas for food there is a uniform safety standard, regardless of the benefits.

Nevertheless, a new study published by Landmark Europe has found that European consumers are concerned by the current risk assessment procedures. A strong demand for public debate, cautious risk assessment and transparency towards consumers was identified. In particular they want to see better labelling in foods, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals to indicate the presence of nanotechnologies. The report’s author said that this can only be achieved via a proportionate regulatory framework, and the development of a European regulatory framework is at a critical junction.

The International Risk Governance Council, based in Geneva, has made a number of recommendations for improving the risk governance of nanotechnology in food:

Development of a commonly-accepted definition of nanotechnology and nanomaterials in food;
Greater cooperation among and between major stakeholder groups
Design of standards, testing strategies, protocols and methodologies, including pre-market testing and life-cycle analysis for assessing toxicity.
Continuous dialogue on the appropriateness of existing regulatory provisions