Physicochemical characterization of nanoparticles in food additives in the context of risk identification

Abstract

The joint Nanofood@ - EFSAnano project developed analytical methodologies foridentification and characterization of nanoparticles in food additives. The methodologies were applied in a regulatory context for control and risk identification purposes.In specific, the project developed methods to characterize E 171 (titanium dioxide), E 174 (silver) and E 175 (gold) food additivesin their pristine state and in the food matrix. The project focused on method development based on TEM and (sp)ICP-MS, method standardization andvalidation,andapplication of the methods in a wider scope for market surveillance.In addition, a pristine E 171 intra-laboratory reference material was produced; 300 homogeneous and stable vials werefractionatedand a homogeneity study was performed.The methodologies, analysis results and the developed expertise form a strong base to fulfil control activities and to provide expertise in the characterization of materials which may contain a fractionof nanoparticles, applied in the food chain. They can be applied to implement the “EFSA guidance on technical requirements for regulated food and feed product applications to establish the presence of small particles including nanoparticles”, and the “EFSA guidance on the human and animal risk assessment of the application of nanoscience and nanotechnologies in agri/food/feed”.