As our readers know, we follow nanotechnology developments in the areas of food additives and food contact materials with great interest. Both in the European Union and in the US, regulators are struggling to develop strategies based upon evidence based regulatory food science principles.

Nanotechnology offers the potential for substantial benefit to both the food industry and to consumers. However, because, under specific circumstances, nanoparticles can cross cell membranes, this technology also presents risks that must be carefully evaluated.

The two draft guidance documents issued in the past week are:

Guidance for Industry: Assessing the Effects of Significant Manufacturing Process Changes, including Emerging Technologies, on the Safety and Regulatory Status of Food Ingredients and Food Contact Substances, Including Food Ingredients that are Color Additives

Guidance for Industry: Safety of Nanomaterials in Cosmetic Products

These two documents are posted below.