Nano Food Abstracts

Applications and implications of nanotechnologies for the food sector

Abstract

A review of current and projected nanotechnology-derived food ingredients, food additives and food contact materials is presented in relation to potential implications for consumer safety and regulatory controls. Nanotechnology applications are expected to bring a range of benefits to the food sector, including new tastes, textures and sensations, less use of fat, enhanced absorption of nutrients, improved packaging, traceability and security of food products. The review has shown that nanotechnology-derived food and health food products are set to grow worldwide and, moreover, a variety of food ingredients, additives, carriers for nutrients/supplements and food contact materials is already available in some countries. The current level of applications in the European food sector is at an elementary stage; however, it is widely expected that more and more products will be available in the EU over the coming years. The toxicological nature of hazard, likelihood of exposure and risk to consumers from nanotechnology-derived food/food packaging are largely unknown and this review highlights major gaps in knowledge that require further research. A number of uncertainties and gaps in relevant regulatory frameworks have also been identified and ways of addressing them proposed.

Comments:

In my opinion this abstract has all it needs.

Purpose: Nanotechnology is already used very often in food, and this is going to increase over the next few years. Unfortunately its effects on consumer are not yet scrutinized sufficiently.

Scope: nanotechnology-derived food ingredients,additives and contact materials 

Methods: reviewing what is already being done and what is missing

Findings: There are major gaps...

Recommendation: ...that require further research.

http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02652030701744538

Consumer choices for nano-food and nano-packaging in France and Germany

Abstract

An experiment with different information treatments was conducted in France and Germany to evaluate consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) for food nanotechnology focusing on two applications: nano-fortification with vitamins and nano-packaging. Results show that many consumers in both countries are reluctant to accept nanotechnology in food. Being confronted with general information on nanotechnology, econometric estimations of WTP reveal that French consumers are more reluctant to accept nano-packaging, whereas German consumers are less inclined to accept nano-fortification compared with the respective other application. More detailed information on nanotechnology has a negative impact when voluntary access to relevant information is assured.

Comments:

The information in the abstract makes the paper seem very interesting, but unfortunately the text itself is not written cohesively which makes it look a bit unprofessional. Maybe it is just a bad translation, obviously this paper was written in either French or German, but eitherway professional scientists should be able to identify a bad translation. This makes me wonder whether or not the whole paper is worth reading. Other than that, this abstract includes all the typical contents, except for the recommendation.

Purpose: to find out whether or not people are willing to pay for food nanotechnology

Scope: nanotechnology-derived food ingredients,additives and contact materials, France and Germany

Methods: an experiment was conducted 

Findings: Consumers in general are reluctant to accept nanotechnology in food, however the Germans slightly less than the French.

http://erae.oxfordjournals.org/content/40/1/73.short