EFSA Issues Guidance on Engineered Nanomaterial Risks in Food, Feed
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published its first guidance
document assessing the risk of engineered nanomaterial (ENM) applications
in food and feed. Prepared in response to a European Commission request,
the May 10, 2011, guidance comes after a six-week public consultation
period during which EFSA received 256 comments from 36 organizations,
including academia, industry, Member States, international authorities, and
non-governmental groups.
The guidance covers potential risks from applications of nanoscience and nanotechnologies across the food supply chain, including food additives, enzymes, flavorings, food contact materials, novel foods, feed additives, and pesticides. Outlining six toxicity testing methods, the guidance stresses the need for ongoing risk assessments in the burgeoning field of engineered nanomaterials and additional data on physical and chemical ENM characteristics in comparison with conventional applications.
“A thorough characterization of the engineered nanomaterials followed by adequate toxicity testing is essential for the risk assessment of these applications,” EFSA Scientific Committee Chair Vittorio Silano was quoted as saying. “Yet we recognize uncertainties related to the suitability of certain existing test methodologies and the availability of data for ENM applications in food and feed. The guidance makes recommendations about how risk assessments should reflect these uncertainties for food and feed applications.” See EFSA Press Release, May 10, 2011.
