Nanomaterials in plastic packaging - are they safe for consumers?

Mar 28, 2013
Nanomaterials in plastic packaging - are they safe for consumers?
(Nanowerk News) During a roundtable discussion hosted by Holger Krahmer MEP (ALDE, DE) and organised by The Parliament Magazine and Plastics Europe, a study was presented on whether nanomaterials present in food packaging could potentially migrate into the food and present risk consumers.
Event Summary
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), in its opinion on the potential risks arising from nanoscience and nanotachnologies used in food, recommended that action should be taken to generate more information on the properties of nanomaterials when they are exposed to consumers. The study concluded that nanomaterials in food packaging do not migtate to food, and highlighted that a more risk based apparoach to safety research offers far more clarity than labelling alone. The study was sponsored by PlasticsEurope and the State Ministry of Environment and Public Health of Bavaria. European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) postion on nanomaterials In light of the complexity of the situation and of the precautionary principle, careful consideration seems to be appropriate in what regards the potential risks of nanomaterials for consumers. Adequate and effective regulation of nanomaterials and nanotechnology represents a need for the health sector. Such regulation is vital to ensure that products containing manufactured nanoparticles are safe to consumers and do not lead to new human health and environmental risks.
A strong precautionary approach to manage nanotechnology is recommendable:
Mandatory safety testing of nanomaterials prior to their inclusion in commercial products- these assessments should be carried out by independent scientific committees. The EU should establish a mandatory reporting scheme to keep track of the introduction of manufactured nanomaterials into the marketplace. In addition, the EU should establish a public inventory of all current and forthcoming nanomaterials used in products on the market. Requirements for product labels to indicate the presence of manufactured nanomaterials/particles- in particular those products with which consumers come in direct, close or regular contact such as food, medicines and cosmetics. Agreement on definitions of nanomaterials and nanotechnologies- the lack of definitions leads to legal uncertainties and can delay the establishment of effective regulation. Existing European legislation relevant to nanotechnologies should be adapted in order to safeguard public health and safety. Public participation in decision-making regarding nanotechnology’s introduction and in determining priorities for public spending on nanotechnology research and development.

Source: European Public Health Alliance