Nanoparticles in Polymer Nanocomposite Food Contact Materials: Uses, Potential Release, and Emerging Toxicological Concerns

Abstract

Several types of nanotechnology-enabled plastics intended for the storage and transport of foods are close to commercialization. For food contact applications, nanocomposite plastics offer many advantages over traditional polymers. However, while the unique properties of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) may be harnessed for many positive ends, there are concerns about whether ENMs pose risks to human health. The primary areas of interest for assessing safety of nanocomposite food contact materials (FCM) are the potential for migration of ENMs into food and the potential toxicity of such released ENMs. This chapter offers a review of theoretical and experimental methods to assess the likelihood of ENM release from nanotechnology-enabled materials into liquid media, as well as a brief overview of the potential toxicological considerations of ENMs likely to be used in FCMs. Because the use of nanotechnology in food contact applications is a developing field, this chapter also provides background information on some of the food-related applications of nanocomposites currently in development, and a discussion of current methods being used to assess the release of non-nanoscale food packaging additives or contaminants. The goal of this work is to provide readers with an appreciation for current activity in this field as well as an understanding of data gaps that may need to be addressed in order to ensure the safety of this emerging technology.