Gergely, Anna; Chaudhry, Qasim; Bowman, Diana M. --- "Regulatory Perspectives on Nanotechnologies in Foods and Food Contact Materials" [2010] ELECD 723; in Hodge, A. Graeme; Bowman, M. Diana; Maynard, D. Andrew (eds), "International Handbook on Regulating Nanotechnologies" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2010)

Book Title: International Handbook on Regulating Nanotechnologies

Editor(s): Hodge, A. Graeme; Bowman, M. Diana; Maynard, D. Andrew

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781848446731

Section: Chapter 15

Section Title: Regulatory Perspectives on Nanotechnologies in Foods and Food Contact Materials

Author(s): Gergely, Anna; Chaudhry, Qasim; Bowman, Diana M.

Number of pages: 21

Extract:

15 Regulatory perspectives on
nanotechnologies in foods and food
contact materials
Anna Gergely, Qasim Chaudhry and
Diana M. Bowman1


15.1 INTRODUCTION

The convergence of nanotechnologies with the food sector is anticipated
to transform the industry. Significant economic growth is expected
from the development and commercialization of processing technologies,
nanostructured food ingredients, additives, delivery systems, and a range
of food contact materials (FCMs) incorporating nanoparticles (Chaudhry
et al., 2008; European Food Safety Authority, 2008). The latter applica-
tion area makes up `the largest share of current and short-term' predicted
markets for nanotechnology applications for the food sector (Cientifica,
2006). Helmut Kaiser Consultancy (2004) has suggested that the nano-
food sector will, by the year 2010, be worth in excess of $US20 billion per
annum. These purported unrivalled possibilities explain the significant
hype surrounding nano-foods at present. Arabe (2002) has, for instance,
predicted that future nanotechnology applications will include smart
foods utilizing functional encapsulation of active nanoparticles, filters
that may modify flavours or remove toxins, and smart packaging that can
detect the spoiling of foods.
Against this backdrop of industry-driven activities, there is a clear need
to determine the extent to which nanotechnology products and applica-
tions fall within existing regulatory frameworks, and the adequacy of these
frameworks for managing potential risks. This has given rise to a number
of governments around the world initiating either in-house or independent
reviews. Many of these have either focused on, or at least included within
their scope, the impact of ...