Nanotechnology & Foods Working Group

Co-Chairs

Dr. An-I Yeh
Taiwan

Prof. h.c. Dr. Ralf Greiner
Germany

Mission

The GHI Nanotechnology & Foods Working Group (WG) will serve as a platform for the exchange of ideas in the food science and technology community about the applications of nanotechnology in foods and food packaging. With the exception of the European Union, most nations have not finalized or have minimal regulations regarding the use of nanoparticles in foods and food packaging. Therefore, there exists both an opportunity and a challenge for countries to draft nanotechnology-related food safety legislation with global harmonization in mind.

Topics & Objectives

Nanotechnology provides the food industry with critical methods to improve processing, develop products with new functionalities and characteristics, and innovate optimized packaging materials. The benefits to the consumer range from nutrient enhancements and increased product stability and functionality in foods, to more rugged pouches and bottles with longer shelf-lives. However, nanotechnology is still in its infancy in terms of accumulated science and research, especially with respect to the potential effects of nanoparticles at the cellular level in humans and other living organisms.

The Nanotechnology & Foods WG plans to tackle a number of issues, including investigations into available scientific evidence, economic impact and regulatory/legal implications related to such areas as:

• State of the research on the possible short- and long-term effects of nanotechnology on human, animal and environmental health
• Safety monitoring, testing and risk assessment methods and data associated with nanoparticles and nanomaterials that may impact the development of global legislation
• Challenges and recommendations for a globally harmonized guideline

Meetings

Dates, times and locations to be announced.

Interested in joining this Working Group?

If you have suggestions or are interested in joining our efforts and contributing constructively to our Working Group, please contact the Working Group Chair or the Working Group Coordinator via email. Your request will be reviewed to ensure that your expertise is matched to this WG area of interest.

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