Call for Scientific Data on Applications of Nanotechnology and Nanomaterials used in Food and Feed [1] - European Food Safety Authority, EU
The European Commission has requested an initial scientific opinion from EFSA relating to the risks arising from nanoscience and nanotechnologies on food and feed safety and the environment. The request also asks to identify the nature of the possible hazards associated with actual and foreseen applications in the food and feed area and to provide general guidance on data needed for the risk assessment of such technologies and applications.
EFSA would appreciate receiving data covering for example the following issues:
- Data on the safety of nanomaterials used in food and feed
- Food and feed applications and products containing or consisting of nanomaterials or produced by nanotechnology
- Methods, procedures and performance criteria used to analyse nanomaterials in food and feed
- Use patterns and exposure to humans and environment.
- Risk assessments performed on nanomaterials used in food and feed
- Toxicological data on nanomaterials used in food and feed
- Environmental studies performed on nanotechnologies and nanomaterials used in food and feed
- Other data of relevance for risk assessment of nanotechnology and nanomaterials in food and feed
Deadline: 03/28/2008

FDA Begins to Tackle Nanotech Challenge [2] - Food and Drug Law Institute, USA
Hundreds of nanotech products, including foods, medicines and medical devices, now have reached the market, and their number will grow exponentially in the years ahead. The main regulating body, the Food and Drug Administration, is just beginning to address the unique issues presented by this groundbreaking technology.

The Strategic Risk of Nanotechnology [3] - Nanotechnology Now, USA
To begin to sort out strategic risks across sectors in which nanotechnology is being used, we have to take into account some basic parameters, such as market penetration, exposure route (as a surrogate indicator of health risk), government oversight (or lack thereof), industry stewardship (or lack thereof), and the level of public scrutiny by media and/or NGOs. Two sectors come out with a high value for strategic risk: cosmetics/sunscreens and dietary supplements.