nanotechnologies and food discussion group minutes of the first

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4. Updates from other Members
Which?
Which? informed the group of consumer research it had carried out in May 2010 which
included the general tracking of consumer awareness of nanotechnologies. Only 37%
had heard of nanotechnologies and most people were aware mostly of technology type
applications, only 8% were aware of possible food applications. Which? reported on a
FAO conference which took place in June 2010 (the international conference on food
and agriculture applications of nanotechnologies) and mentioned that a substantial
amount of nanotechnologies research in the food area appears to be taking place in S.
America compared to the EU. Details of the conference can be found at
http://www.nanoagri2010.com/
Which? was interested to know how closely the UK Government is working with other
Governments in this area.
Food and Drink Federation
FDF informed the group that it had been disappointed by the way the House of Lords
report was launched in that the press release criticised industry for not being
transparent about its research interests, picking this out as the key point. This
distracted from the body of the report, which was both reasonable and informative.
FDF held a meeting of interested members from both scientific and public affairs
perspectives in February 2010 to consider the report, reactions to it, and how FDF
would respond to future developments. Some of the key findings of this meeting were:
Some companies are engaging in research into applications of
nanotechnologies, including the use of nanoscience to achieve a better
understanding of food technology and enhance the ability to manipulate
ingredients and the constituent properties of the food. This does not imply the
use of engineered nanoparticles.
Research projects with the potential to lead to new product developments are by
their nature competitive and confidential so cannot be placed in the public
domain.
Members of the Select Committee appeared to have an unrealistic expectation
of research into nanotechnology applications in food in the UK and may have
interpreted lack of reported research as a lack of transparency.
Companies are being approached by suppliers offering products of
nanotechnology, but are not yet using them in the EU. Some applications may,
however, be of future interest.
In terms of the perception that industry was already placing products of
nanotechnologies on the EU market without declaring their use, members
suggested that it should be made clear that the EU regulatory regime prevents
manufacturers from placing products using nanotechnologies on the market until
they have been positively assessed by EFSA.
Members reviewed a paper setting out FDF’s activities and engagement on
nanotechnologies to date and supported the level of activity.
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