Nanomaterials in Food - Prioritisation & Assessment

Area of Science:

• Food safety and risk assessment
• Nanomaterial science and toxicology
• Regulatory science and policy

Background:

• Nanomaterials (NMs) are increasingly used in the food industry as additives and packaging, raising concerns about human health effects.
• Harmonized analytical methods and risk assessment methodologies for NMs in food are urgently needed.
• The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) initiated a project on NMs in food.

Purpose of the Study:

• To gain hands-on experience in food risk assessment processes for NMs.
• To enhance knowledge of analytical, toxicological, and food processing methods related to NMs.
• To develop expertise in conducting collective scientific assessments and build a professional network.

Main Methods:

• Involvement in a 2-year project focused on NMs in food within the European Food Risk Assessment Fellowship Programme (EU-FORA).
• Collecting occurrence data and performing exposure assessment calculations for 'of concern' NMs.
• Participating in laboratory visits for analytical and toxicological studies and engaging with expert working groups.

Main Results:

• Acquired practical skills in various stages of the food risk assessment process for NMs.
• Improved understanding of advanced analytical techniques and toxicological evaluations for NMs.
• Developed proficiency in conducting expert assessments and contributing to collective scientific evaluations.

Conclusions:

• The fellowship successfully enhanced the fellow's capacity in food risk assessment concerning NMs.
• The acquired knowledge and skills are transferable to the fellow's home institute, strengthening scientific capabilities.
• The program fostered valuable collaborations and expanded the fellow's scientific network for future research.