The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is expected to issue a scientific opinion next month on the risks nanoscience and nanotechnologies have on food and feed safety and the environment.

This follows a public consultation launched by EFSA in October, which ended last month. Around 200 submissions were received from around 30 organisations and individuals.

Firms and institutes worldwide are now developing applications of nanotechnology in fields such as the treatment of the mechanical and sensorial properties of food and modified nutritional value.

Nanotechnology may also be used in food packaging, for instance for better protection or to detect freshness. However, the specific properties and characteristics of nanomaterials need to be considered for any potential health risks.

Two of EFSA's panels have issued opinions related to the safety of specific nano materials following requests from the European Commission.

The EFSA panel on food additives and nutrient sources (ANS) said it did not have enough data to assess the safety of silver nanoparticles in silver hydrosol, added for nutritional purposes as a source of silver in food supplements.