New report lifts the lid on nanotechnology in food and agriculture

Georgia Miller
FoE Nanotechnology Project

"Nanotechnology" is a powerful new technology for taking apart and reconstructing matter at the scale of atoms and molecules. While most people may associate nanotechnology with sci-fi nanobots of the future, previous articles in Chain Reaction have reported that unlabelled, untested nanomaterials are entering the global food chain.

Campaigners with Friends of the Earth Australia are the lead authors of a new international report, Out of the laboratory and into the food chain: Nanotechnology in food and agriculture. Released in March, the report lifts the lid on nano's stealthy entry into foods, food packaging, kitchen products and agricultural chemicals.

Our research has found that products containing manufactured nanomaterials which are available internationally include fruit juices, toddler drinks, diet milkshakes, processed meats, cooking oil, nutritional supplements, cling wrap, food storage containers, soft drink and beer bottles, kitchen wipes, cleaning sprays, chopping boards, refrigerators and chemicals used on farms.

Without labelling, there is no way to know how many Australian foods, agricultural and kitchen products now contain nanomaterials.

Disturbingly, despite early scientific studies demonstrating that some of the nanomaterials now used by the food industry can be toxic, there is no requirement for manufacturers to conduct safety testing of nano ingredients, and no mandatory labelling to enable people to avoid eating nanofoods. And despite the bigger social and ethical issues associated with nanofoods, including nanotechnology's threats to food sovereignty, there has been no effort to involve the public in decision-making.

To access a copy of our new report visit: <http://nano.foe.org.au>.

Organic food to be nano-free in the UK

Citing fears about the health and environmental toxicity risks posed by nanomaterials, the United Kingdom's largest organic certification body has announced that it will ban nanomaterials from all products which it certifies. From now on, people who buy organic foods, health products, sunscreens and cosmetics that the Soil Association certifies will know that they are free from manufactured nano additives.

Gundula Azeez, Soil Association policy manager, told food industry magazine Food Navigator.com: "We are deeply concerned at the government's failure to follow scientific advice and regulate [nano]products. There should be an immediate freeze on the commercial release of nanomaterials until there is a sound body of scientific research into all the health impacts."

The UK Soil Association announced its move to ban nanomaterials as a world first. However while being enthusiastic about the UK announcement, Australia's peak organic certifier, the Biological Farmers of Australia, noted that it issued an interim ban on nanotechnology in mid-2007. In a recent BFA newsletter the Chairman of its Organic Standards Committee, Dr Andrew Monk, noted that "the [BFA Standards] Committee reviewed the nanotechnology issue some six months ago using the most recent evidence and information available to industry. It resolved unanimously not to permit such technologies in organic food products regulated in Australia under the BFA Group's organic Bud logo."

Nanosilver: a toxic addition to everyday kitchen products

Rye Senjen
FoE Nanotechnology Project

Silver has been known for its powerful antimicrobial properties since the early Roman times. But, like many of the heavy metals, silver is also toxic to fish, algae, crustaceans, some plants, fungi and nitrogen fixing bacteria. Now nanotechnology is enabling the production of silver particles that are a lot smaller, and potentially a lot more dangerous.

Silver nanoparticles can be found in an increasing number of Australian products available at your local supermarket, pharmacy, outdoor gear shop or appliance retailer. Silver nanoparticles are now used in some odour resistant textiles including woollens, household appliances like washing machines, air conditioners and vacuum cleaners, and medical devices including wound dressings ("Band Aids"). Alarmingly, silver nanoparticles are also making their way into kitchen products, including refrigerators, antibacterial surface wipes and cleaning sprays. Internationally, silver nanoparticles are also used in antibacterial cling wrap, plastic food storage containers, chopping boards, cutlery and crockery.

As with many substances, the toxicity of nanosilver is greater than that of silver in bulk form. Test-tube studies demonstrate that nanosilver is toxic to mammalian liver cells, stem cells and even brain cells. The potential for nanosilver to harm beneficial bacteria in the environment, especially in soil and water, is of particular concern. Additionally, there is also a risk that nanosilver will lead to the development of antibiotic resistance among harmful bacteria. Not only may certain harmful bacteria become resistant against nanosilver, but because of the type of resistance mechanism developed, they may also potentially develop resistance to 50% of currently used antibiotics.

Silver is also toxic when ingested, even when particle size is greater than nano. The United States Food and Drug Administration warned as early as 1999 that the "use of colloidal silver solutions has resulted in cases of argyria, a permanent blue-gray discoloration of the skin and deep tissues." Ingestion of colloidal silver (a suspension of silver in microparticles and/or nanoparticles in a gelatinous base) has also been linked with neurological problems, kidney damage, stomach upset, headaches, fatigue, and skin irritation.

Unfortunately, despite the growing number of scientific studies showing that nanosilver could pose serious new toxic risks, Australian laws do not require manufacturers to conduct new safety tests – or to disclose nanosilver content on product labels – before their products go on sale.

For an in depth and referenced report on the impact of nanosilver, please visit our website: <http://nano.foe.org.au>

Get involved in FoE's nanotechnology campaign

If you are interested in learning more about nanotechnology and FoE's nanotechnology campaign, please contact Fiona <fiona.thiessen@foe.org.au> or phone (03) 9419 8700.

Tell the government that you want unsafe, untested nanoproducts taken off the market

Given the poorly understood toxicity risks of nanomaterials, the threats they pose to human health and environmental systems, and the failure of regulatory systems to manage these risks, Friends of the Earth Australia is calling for an immediate halt to sales of nanoproducts, and the withdrawal of all nanoproducts from sale. Furthermore, given the bigger picture social and ethical challenges associated with a technology predicted to transform our lives, we are calling for public involvement in nanotechnology decision making.

Please contact Senator Kim Carr, Federal Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, to let him know that you want unsafe, untested nanoproducts taken off the market:
Phone: (02) 6277 7580
Email: <senator.carr@aph.gov.au>
Post:     Senator Kim Carr, Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Parliament House, Canberra, ACT, 2600.

Have your say – make a submission to the NSW nano inquiry

Despite the huge amount of public funding made available for nanotechnology research, and the ever-increasing numbers of nanoproducts on the market, there have been extremely limited opportunities for members of the public to have their say in relation to how nanotechnology is governed. The NSW Parliament is holding an inquiry into nanotechnology and public submissions can be submitted until March 28. To see the terms of reference, visit <www.parliament.nsw.gov.au> and search for the 'Nanotechnology in New South Wales' committee.