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Nanoparticles

Nanoparticles are starting to enter the food chain through

  • Food additives
  • Food processing
  • Packaging

Development in nanotechnologies for food production is faster than the relevant legislation and regulation activities, which lag behind for a decade. Beside intentionally added nanoparticles, food contains also nanopollutants from air polluted environment in the growth period, in the period of food processing and during food storage.

Majority of food producers are not aware of possible health risks originated from consumption of nanomaterials. The reason might be recently reported nanotoxicological studies in scientific literature, which combine different scientific topics like material science, biology, chemistry, medicine, and are with a high complexity difficult to understand. Considering also contradictory data and intensive economic benefits promised by development of nanotechnology, eventual health risks have not been addressed promptly.

Food products and food supplements are positioned already on European market that makes implementation of any future regulation in direction of restrictions very difficult, but not impossible. Current situation needs urgent increase of awareness of public, stakeholders and regulatory bodies about possible health risks.

In ISO-FOOD, the main challenge will be development of

  1. Methods for determination of nanoparticles in food
  2. Development of strategies for increased awareness of health concerns through education process, public dialogue and dialogue with public bodies and stakeholders with the aim to help in creation of regulations in the field of nanotechnologies in food industry.

Measuring of air pollution with nanoparticles

Scanning Mobility Particle Sizer

nano_deviceParticle Size Range: 10 to 487 nm

Concentrations: up to 2,4 . 106 NPs / cm3

Differential mobility analyzer (selection of particles by size)

Condensation particle chamber (condensation of water on particles with aim to count them by laser scattering)