3. Assessing the health risks associated with nanos in food

The EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) has a scientific expert group on food additives (FAF group, Food Additives and Flavourings, which in recent years succeeded the ANS group Food Additives and Nutrient Sources Added to Food). It is responsible for evaluating the safety of food additives (new or old, or new uses of already authorized food additives). This involves analyzing all available relevant scientific data, from chemical and biological properties, to estimates of human dietary exposure and potential toxicity. On the basis of these data, the scientific panel draws conclusions on the safety of the food additive's intended use for consumers.

Since 2009, the Scientific Panel has re-evaluated most of the food additives authorized in the EU prior to January 20, 2009, progressively addressing concerns about the link between nanoparticle character and toxicity....