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Swiss technology experts recommend 'Self-regulation instead of moratorium'

Published: Friday 23 January 2009

Switzerland’s Centre for Technology Assessment (TA-Swiss) has published a report on ‘Nanotechnology in the food sector’, recommending specific labelling of nano-materials in ingredients and in packaging, as well as offering the freedom of choice to consumers, whilst rejecting the enaction of a specific ‘nano food law’.

According to report summary on the TA-Swiss website, the report aims:
  • To discuss the future prospects for nanotechnology in the food sector (including packaging materials). What visions and interests are linked to these, and who are the actors behind them?
  • To distinguish between “nano-fictions”, as they are constantly being presented in the media, and the scientific principles and foreseeable applications based on them.
  • To investigate the subject in the context of changing nutritional habits (trends like convenience food or functional food). What requirements are there on the consumer side?
  • To discuss arguments about the natural state and the “manipulation” of food in comparison with the long-standing debate on genetic engineering in food.
  • To evaluate the situation in an overall assessment by comparing different strategies for “improving” foods.  
  • To formulate recommendations for decision makers, especially politicians.  

The report summary (available in German, French and English) provides an introduction into the scientific background of nanotechnology, and gives an overview of the benefits, which nanotechnology is expected to deliver in the food sector (i.e. ‘nano in the fight against malnutrition’; innovation in food packaging to provide materials that are less resource-intensive, higher quality, sustainable and biodegradable; more selective and efficient pesticides, etc.).

The report concludes that ‘there is therefore no reason for a general moratorium on synthetic nanomaterials in the food sector, because it would prevent any possible exploitation of the ecological benefits of nanotechnologically optimised packaging.’ It furthermore calls for application of the ‘precautionary principle’, as well increased industry transparency, specifically championing the adoption of a self-regulating Code of Conduct: ‘An active information policy could help to prevent mistrust. In this case, it would also have particularly far-reaching implications if an industry-specific Code of Conduct were increasingly imposed on manufacturers, processors and traders of food and food packaging with nanocomponents. The relevant actors should set out in a robustly formulated self-regulatory system which principles they follow in working with nanoparticles and how they inform the authorities and the public.’

Follow these links to read a full summary of the report (in English) on the TA-Swiss’ website, or to download further information: ‘Angaben zur Studie «Nanotechnologie im Bereich der Lebensmittel»’, Informations sur l’étude «Les nanotechnologies dans l’alimentation»’, ‘Information about the study «Nanotechnology in the food sector»’.

 
Related Links:
According to an article published by the Meridian Institute, The Bureau of National Affairs' (BNA) Daily Environment Report released an article predicting an expected increase in shareholder resolutions urging disclosure of nanomaterials; this outlook was provided by an official with a corporate responsibility advocacy group in conversation with BNA. (15th January 2009)
 
In direct the response to a report on US FDA regulation of nanotechnology-based dietary supplements, published by the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN) the US Council on Responsible Nutrition (CRN) (i.e. a US supplements trade organisation), published a statement claiming that the PEN report ‘shed no new light on nanotechnology’. (15th January 2009)
 
The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies (PEN) of the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars has published a report entitled ‘A hard pill to swallow: Barriers to Effective FDA regulation of Nanotechnology-Based Dietary Supplements’; [...] (14th January 2009)
 
Swiss Government publishes ’Precautionary Matrix for Synthetic Nanomaterials’
The Swiss Government has published a ‘Precautionary Matrix for Synthetic Nanomaterials’; the matrix itself consist of a set of tables, which are to be completed with a given set of information on a ‘nanospecific field’(i.e. type of nanoparticles or nanorods, etc.), [...]. (3rd December 2008)
 
The US Consumers Union petitioned the US Food and Drug Administration to ‘require a full safety assessment on the use of engineered nanoparticles particularly in cosmetics, sunscreens and sunblocks, and to investigate possible enforcement action to ensure accurate labeling as to the presence or absence of nanoparticles.’ (30th October 2008)
 
The International Risk Governance Council (IRGC) published the report ‘Risk Governance of Nanotechnology Applications in Food and Cosmetics’. (18th December 2008)
* Registered NIA Members can download the Meeting Report and participants’ presentations of the IRGC Workshop on 'Risk Governance of Nanotechnology Applications in Food and Cosmetics' from the ‘Members only’-area on the NIA website by following the link to ‘Meeting Reports (from the NIA delegate)’.