NanoKTN looks at developments of Nanotechnology in Food one year after the publication of House of Lords report

According to a recent study by iRAP, Inc, the nano-enabled food and beverage packaging market is set to grow from $4.13 billion in 2008, to an estimated $7.30 billion by 2014. Interest in nanotechnology for the food and beverage industry has continued to be a focus throughout 2010, with the report from the UK’s House of Lords Science and Technology Committee released in January stimulating much of the discussion.

The report revealed that there may well be benefits from the use of nanotechnology in foods and distinguished between persistent nanomaterials which might cause concern and those “natural” materials that are normally digested, such as typical food ingredients which are likely to be harmless. This is an important distinction for the industry and consumers as it should enable research into nanotechnology to advance with increased confidence.

A number of leading industry professionals will deliver presentations at the conference next month, looking at the issues raised by Lord Krebs and his colleagues. Discussions will address what still needs to be done and how organisations can ensure clear guidelines for the use of nanotechnology in product development can be established, to ensure its safe and acceptable use in the food industry by the consumer.

Alastair McGibbon, UK FP7 National Contact Point for NMP, will address why nanotechnology is such a key area of importance in the European Framework Programme 7. McGibbon will provide an insight into the NMP and KBBE areas of FP7, where there have been significant opportunities for industrially-oriented nanotechnology research in food. As well as looking at previous opportunities and projects in this area, the presentation will look ahead to potential collaborative calls for proposals in the coming year.
Victoria Cross, Associate Partner at College Hill will look at issues surrounding the Select Committee on Science: Nanotechnologies and Food document which recently attracted considerable attention from the food and drink sector, most notably accusations of secrecy. The presentation will consider the media handling of the subject in the twelve months since its release and resulting consumer awareness and attitudes. Cross will consider the potential opportunities and risks of communicating the benefits for nanotechnology in food and drink and discuss whether now is the right time for genuine stakeholder engagement.
Other speakers include the Marks & Spencer, Food Standards Agency, The Food and Environment Research Agency, Matter, Which? and the Food and Drink Federation (FDF).

The event ‘House of Lords Report – One Year on…’, takes place on 19th January 2011 at IOM3, London. A discounted rate will be charged to members of the NanoKTN and a special rate is also available for members of Leatherhead Food Research/NanoWatch and NanoCentral.