Too little research done on nano-food
Source: Agencies |
January 9, 2010, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
A GLOBAL scarcity of scientific research on using nanotechnology in foods means food safety authorities are unable to properly regulate products that may be beneficial or harmful, a British science panel said yesterday.
The science and technology committee of Britain's upper house of parliament said in a report that use of nanoparticles in food and food packaging is likely to grow dramatically in the next decade, but too little is known about their safety.
"The technologies have the potential to deliver some significant benefits to consumers, but it is important that detailed and thorough research into potential health and safety implications ... is undertaken now to ensure that any possible risks are identified," said Lord Krebs, chair of the Science and Technology Committee which produced the report.
Nanotechnology is the design and manipulation of materials thousands of times smaller than the width of a human hair, called nanoparticles.
There are currently at least 600 products involving nanomaterials on the market but only around 80 of them are food or food-related and only two of those are available in Britain.
The report called for new rules to compel food companies to tell regulators about any work they are doing with nanoparticles in food, and also called for a voluntary public register of food products and packaging containing nanomaterials available.
Krebs said the food industry in Britain and worldwide was being "quite obscure" about any work they are doing on using nanotechnology for products or packaging -- an attitude he described as "exactly the wrong approach".
The science and technology committee of Britain's upper house of parliament said in a report that use of nanoparticles in food and food packaging is likely to grow dramatically in the next decade, but too little is known about their safety.
"The technologies have the potential to deliver some significant benefits to consumers, but it is important that detailed and thorough research into potential health and safety implications ... is undertaken now to ensure that any possible risks are identified," said Lord Krebs, chair of the Science and Technology Committee which produced the report.
Nanotechnology is the design and manipulation of materials thousands of times smaller than the width of a human hair, called nanoparticles.
There are currently at least 600 products involving nanomaterials on the market but only around 80 of them are food or food-related and only two of those are available in Britain.
The report called for new rules to compel food companies to tell regulators about any work they are doing with nanoparticles in food, and also called for a voluntary public register of food products and packaging containing nanomaterials available.
Krebs said the food industry in Britain and worldwide was being "quite obscure" about any work they are doing on using nanotechnology for products or packaging -- an attitude he described as "exactly the wrong approach".
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