Call for scientific data on applications of nanotechnology and nanomaterials used in food and feed

Posted: January 28, 2008
Call for scientific data on applications of nanotechnology and nanomaterials used in food and feed
(Nanowerk News) The European Commission has requested an initial scientific opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) relating to the risks arising from nanoscience and nanotechnologies on food and feed safety and the environment. The request also asks to identify the nature of the possible hazards associated with actual and foreseen applications in the food and feed area and to provide general guidance on data needed for the risk assessment of such technologies and applications.
The request is handled by the EFSA Scientific Committee who in November 2007 appointed an expert working group to prepare a draft opinion. A draft of the opinion is scheduled to be published for public consultation in July 2008, which is reflected in the short deadline for submission of data.
Data/Information asked for
EFSA is seeking scientific contributions from Third Parties which could be useful for the preparation of the opinion. EFSA encourages submission of peer reviewed data as the most relevant and reliable documents. Non Peer reviewed data will only be considered if they are based on scientific evidence and if they meet adequate quality standards, e.g. publications “in press”, technical reports or other scientific documents or data (internal reports).
EFSA would appreciate receiving data covering for example the following issues:
Data on the safety of nanomaterials used in food and feed Food and feed applications and products containing or consisting of nanomaterials or produced by nanotechnology Methods, procedures and performance criteria used to analyse nanomaterials in food and feed Use patterns and exposure to humans and environment Risk assessments performed on nanomaterials used in food and feed Toxicological data on nanomaterials used in food and feed Environmental studies performed on nanotechnologies and nanomaterials used in food and feed Other data of relevance for risk assessment of nanotechnology and nanomaterials in food and feed
Confidential data
EFSA is aware that a great deal of information that could prove to be useful for the drafting of the opinion may be considered as confidential by industry. EFSA invites industry in possession of such information to contact EFSA and discuss possible submission of de-identified data (data that can not be associated with a certain producer or were the identity of the material is masked) and as such can be used by the working group members and the Scientific Committee. Note that information submitted to EFSA fall under Regulation (EC) No 2001/18 regarding public access to European parliament, Council and Commission documents, and as such might be made available upon request.
Submission of Data
Please submit your data, preferably via e-mail to:
Dr. David Carlander Scientific Officer Scientific Committee and Advisory Forum Unit European Food Safety Authority Largo N. Palli 5a 43100 Parma Italy Telephone: +39 0521 036 670 e-mail: [email protected]

Source: European Food Safety Authority