Governing Nano Foods: Principles-Based Responsive Regulation: EFFoST Critical Reviews #3

Food which nanotechnology has impacted or to which nanotechnology is applied is referred to as nanofood.  From treatment of the soil in which a crop plant is grown to the caring of a food, nanotechnology is a growing factor in the food supply. At this point, however, there is no definitive, effective global method for regulating the use of nanotechnology as it relates to the food suply.

Legislation on nanotechnologies is still evolving, as is understanding what data is needed for effective, efficient and appropriate risk assessment associated with nanotechnology impacted foods. Due to the emerging nature of nanotechnology and its role in the food supply, case-by-case studies are the current norm, but the need for wide-scale testing and broad-based regulatory standards is urgent.

This project is based on an EFFoST study designed to provide a comparative study of nanofood regulations in order to guide regulation development in this rapidly expanding market.

Provides comparative study of nanofood regulations in order to guide regulation development in this rapidly expanding marketIncludes both case-by-case examples and more broad-based insightsProvides models for regulation specifically for regulating nanotechnology as applied to food

Foreword

Executive Summary

Introduction

Requirements for food safety regulation

Safety frame applied to food applications of nanotechnology

Case-by-case premarket approval

Nano-specific regulation

Regulatory burden

A learning system

Conclusions and way forward

Annexes:

Analytical framework

On the delineation of the concept 'nanotechnology'

Lessons learned from selected regulatory reviews

Nanotechnology in proposed regulation

Research team