Bite gets its teeth into nanotechnology

Wednesday 19 May 2010

The second issue of Bite, the quarterly magazine launched by the Agency to tackle challenging food-related topics, has been published and is available online. The theme of the issue is nanotechnology.

The magazine provides a general overview of nanotechnology – a technology that may lead to the introduction of engineered nanoparticles into food and a transformation of the nature of food packaging and food production. Nanoparticles are measured in terms of nanometres, which are one billionth of a metre.

A range of expert writers looks at the development of the technology from all angles, including from business, Government and regulatory perspectives. Scientists charged with ensuring that food sold in the UK and Europe is safe to eat discuss the measures that will have to be in place before any products containing engineered nanoparticles are allowed onto the market.

And in a special Bite round table, representatives from Which?, the Soil Association, the science sector and the Agency discuss the possible benefits, disadvantages and dangers of nanotechnology – and whether its use is necessary at all.