On the website of the Food Standard Agency of the UK I found an article about “Nanotechnology-enabled foods and food contact materials on the UK market”. This article distinguishes “soft” and “hard” nanomaterials. While “soft” nanomaterials are a natural part of food such as homogenised milk or ricotta cheese, “hard” nanomaterials are the once intentionally added to foods or food contact materials.
On the same page a list was published, depicting the nanomaterials that are permitted to be used in foods or food contact materials in the UK. This is the list, with additional information on which products the Nanomaterials are used in.
Nanomaterial
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Related information
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Fumed silica
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One specific form of E551, silicon dioxide, is a food additive that is authorised for use as an anti-caking agent and a carrier.
E551 (including fumed silica) has been approved for many years and it is commonly used in the preparation of a wide range of foods. It is used as a free-flowing agent in various powdered foods, such as coffee creamer or soups. One classic example would be Knorr Pasta Sides.
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Nanoclay
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The mineral montmorillonite (also called as bentonite) has potential use in a variety of food packaging applications, such as in packaging for fruit juices and dairy products or bottles for beer and carbonated drinks, to provide a better barrier to gases and extend shelf-life.
Plastic beer bottles that incorporate a layer of nanoclay are reported to be in use in other countries (for example in the US) but not at present in the UK or the rest of Europe.
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Nanosilver
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Items such as re-useable food containers are available in the UK (via websites) and function to inhibit the growth of microorganisms.
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Titanium nitride
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Polymer composites incorporating titanium nitride have been developed to improve the rigidity and strength of food packaging objects.
Titanium nitride was evaluated by the European Food Safety Authority in 2008 and has been approved as an additive for use in some food contact plastics since 1 May 2011. The Agency is not aware of any commercial use of this additive.
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Should you be more interested in this topic the Wilson Centre of Virginia Tech has started this website as an inventory for nano enabled consumer products. Have a look.
https://www.google.at/#q=fumed+silica+E551+used+in+food&start=10
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