Introduction:
Nanotechnology (the control of matter on atomic and molecular scale) could potentially transform industry and everyday life. However, there are concerns whether the application of nanotech is safe. In an own-initiative report the European Parliament has recently decided to consider all nanomaterials as new substances and holds that existing legislation does not take into account the risks associated with nanotechnology. According to the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA), in the area of food science, uncertainties in detecting and measuring levels of nanomaterials could make risk assessment of some nano products extremely difficult. read more
News Update:
Nanotech at risk of repeating 'GM food fiasco', Euractiv, September 29, 2009
http://www.euractiv.com/en/science/nanotech-risk-repeating-gm-food-fiasco/article-185862
EU food safety watchdog puzzled by nanotech risks. Euractive, March 6, 2009
http://www.euractiv.com/en/science/eu-food-safety-watchdog-puzzled-nanotech-risks/article-180025
Documents
MoniQA: Key sources for nano-technology policy
http://www.moniqa.org/webfm_send/733
EFSA (2009) Statement on the presence of 4-methylbenzophenone found in breakfast cereals
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/EFSA/efsa_locale-1178620753812_1211902360964.htm
EFSA (2009) The Potential Risks Arising from Nanoscience and Nanotechnologies on Food and Feed Safety
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/cs/BlobServer/Scientific_Opinion/sc_op_ej958_nano_en,0.pdf?ssbinary=true
UK Food Standards Agency (2006) Benzophenone and 4-hydroxybenzophenone migration from food packaging into foodstuffs
http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/fsis1806.pdf
World Nanofood Report
http://www.fiweekly.com/nanofood
Links
- Observatory Nano: http://www.observatorynano.eu/
- Nano China: http://www.nanochina.cn/
- Framing Nano, Governance in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: http://www.framingnano.eu
- iNTeg-Risk Early Recognition, Monitoring and Integrated Management of emerging, New Technology Related Risk. http://www.integrisk.eu-vri.eu/
- NanoSAFE 2. Safe production and use of nanomaterials. http://www.nanosmile.org, http://www.nanosafe.org
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