ABSTRACT
Nanotechnology in food and agriculture is emerging at a time when global food systems are under unprecedented stress. Close to one billion people experience extreme food insecurity, while dangerous climate change and the loss of arable land further threaten the viability of existing farmland. Nanotechnology is increasingly being used in agriculture, food processing, food packaging and in the surveillance of the transport and sale of food and food ingredients. Manufactured nanoparticles, nanoemulsions and nano-capsules can be found in agricultural chemicals, processed foods, food packaging and food contact materials including food storage containers, cutlery and chopping boards. Secrecy surrounds the commercial availability of nanofoods. Estimates of commercially available nanofoods vary widely; nanotechnology analysts estimate that between 150-600 nanofoods and 400-500 nano food packaging applications were on the market in 2006/2007. Nanoparticles have much greater access than larger particles to bodies’ cells, tissues and organs.
