NANOTECHNOLOGY:Potential Impacts on

Food SafetyJim Dingman, MS, REHS, DLAAS

Underwriters Laboratories

Presentation Topics

• What is nanotechnology• How does it work• Financial outlook for NT• Markets• Food Safety applications of NT• Problems and concerns of NT and food safety• Regulatory activities to address these problems /

concerns

So ---

what is this nanotechnology thing anyway?

NANOTECHNOLOGY

“Nanotechnology is the understanding and control of matter at dimensions of roughly 1 to 100 nanometers, where unique phenomena enable novel applications. Encompassing nanoscale science,engineering and technology, nanotechnologyinvolves imaging, measuring, modeling,and manipulating matter at this length scale”

National Nanotechnology Initiative

NANOTECHNOLOGYNanotechnology is the science behind the ability to build anything, atom by atom, from the ground up

NT is not miniaturization

Bantam Books, 1966

1920 - 1992

Image courtesy of David Morgan-Mar – Used by Permission

© copyright 1997-2001, eyeofscience/microTEC, Gesellschaft für Mikrotechnologie mbH, Germany.

SIZE DOES MATTER !!

1 cm = 3/8 inch (.375 inches)1 cm = 1/100 m1 mm = 1/1,000 m1 µm = 1/1,000,000 m1 nm = 1/1,000,000,000 m

1 rbc = 2,500 nm

1 nm is smaller than the wavelength of visible light

OR 0.0000000000375 inch

1 strand = 100,000 nm thick

1st Concepts of “Nano-technology”“There’s Plenty of Room at the Bottom”

Lecture given by Nobel laureate physicist Richard Feynman at Cal-Tech.

December 29, 1959

“I want to build a billion tiny factories, models of each other, which are manufacturing simultaneously. . . “

“It would be, in principle, possible for a physicist to synthesize any chemical substance that the chemist writes down.

How?

Put the atoms down where the chemist says, and so you make the substance …

“The principles of physics, as far as I can see, do not speak against the possibility of maneuvering things atom by atom.

It is not an attempt to violate any laws; it is something, in principle, that can be done; but in practice, it has not been done because we are too big.”

… The problems of chemistry and biology can be greatly helped if our ability to see what we are doing, and to do things on an atomic level, is ultimately developed—a development which I think cannot be avoided.”

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K. Eric Drexler

The Father of Nanotechnology

“Engines of Creation”

Nanobots

HOW DOES

NT WORK?

My head

already hurts …

Nanotechnology, in its traditional sense, means building things from the bottom up, with atomic precision.

Manipulate individual atoms and molecules and put them together in certain configurations, enabling you to create just about anything you desire.

What types of nanomaterials

are there?

Nanoparticles

Nanowires

Fullerenes

Nanoparticles

A free-from or semicrystalline nano-structure with at least one dimension between 10 and 100 nm and a relatively large (≥ 15%) size dispersion

NanowiresStructures with a diameter of 100 nm or less and an unconstrained length.

FullerenesCarbon atoms that are assembled into a

nanostructure which can either be formed into balls or tubes

The Market for Growth

of NT

“My own judgment is that the nanotechnology revolution has the potential to change America on a scale equal to, if not greater than, the computer revolution.”

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.)

Societ

al

Impac

ts

Time(Measured in decades)

Industrial RevolutionsIndustrial Revolutions

Societ

al

Impac

ts

Time(Measured in YEARS)

Nanotechnology RevolutionNanotechnology Revolution

Societ

al

Impac

ts

Time

Accelerated ImpactsAccelerated Impacts

Industrial Revolutions

Molecular Manufacturing

Revolution

(Measured in decades)

Development of Nanotechnology Markets

Worldwide• Overall by 2015:

$ 1.5 trillion

• Food sector only:$ 410 million (2006)$ 5.8 billion (2012)

Cientifica . 2007. Half Way to the Trillion Dollar Market?

Markets

Building products (paint, cleaners)Automobiles (parts, glass coatings)Textiles & fabrics (repellants, bio-monitors)Electronics (devices, process technology)Consumer products (make-up, sporting goods)Medical (drugs, surgical aids)Agriculture (seeds, nutrient delivery systems)Food …

ApplicationsFood Quality:

- Attractive surface treatment, glazes and colors- Improvement of food flavor, smell, etc.- Extension of product shelf-life

- Food Processing:- Improved cooking, control of food ingredients- Special food: hospital food, space food, hot and

cold areas

- Packaging: -UV barriers, mechanically and temperature reinforced packaging; antimicrobial, breathable, multifunctional packaging

- Magnetic nanocomposite for tag sensors

- RFI using nanobarcodes - Portable DNA/protein chips for food qualitytests

Nanotechnology

With respect to:

Pathogen detectionFood engineeringPackagingEquipment

Pathogen Detection

Pathogen Detection

• Nanosensors (biosensors):

– Nanocantilevers– Nanowires – Nanobarcodes

Nanocantilevers

Look like tiny diving boards made of silicon that vibrate at different frequencies when contaminants stick to them, revealing the presence of dangerous viruses and bacteria

Image generated by Seyet, LLC

Nanowires

“Sandwich Immunoassay”

Capture antibody

Sample

Detecting antibody

Substrate

Nanowire

Applications

• Food allergy detection• Ciguatera seafood poison

detection

E. coli detection

• E. coli in sample bindswith protein on slide

• Surface of chip changes

• Camera photographs changefor analysis and confirmation of detection

BSE

Nanobarcodes

A “nanobarcode” is an alternative tagging or monitoring device that works like a UPC code, but on the nano-scale.

Nanobarcodes

Fluoresce in presence of pathogens

Can detect several pathogens simultaneously

Food Engineering

Food Engineering

- Flavor enhancers- Cholesterol replacement- Nutrient dispersion

Nano-sized self-assembled structured liquids (NSSL) technology makes it possible to encapsulate essential oils, drugs and other insoluble compounds in food.

How Does NSSL Work?

phytosterols

minute micelle (nanodrop)

cholesterol

Food AdditiveAquasol (AquaNova)

Micelle of water insoluble substances surround active ingredients within soluble nanocapsules, and increases absorption within the body (including individual cells).

Cholesterol Inhibiting Canola Oil

Canola Active Oil (Sheman Industries):

• Integration of free phytosterols into food products

• inhibits cholesterol from entering bloodstream

O’lalaO'lala has solved the long-standing problem of gum falling apart when you mix chocolate and other rich ingredients into the gum base

“Choco'la Chocolate Chewing Gum."

Kraft’s NanoteK consortium:

New taste

New color

Kraft is also working on sensors that will be able to

detect an individual’s nutritional deficiencies

and then respond with smart foods that release

molecules of the needed nutrients

Have you had your Omega-3 today?

Have you had your Omega-3 today?

NanosensorKraft’s “Electronic Tongue”

“Have it your way”

“Take 2 aspirin and call me in the morning”

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away”

“Take two hot dogs …”

“An ice cream cone a day …”

Food Packaging

NT and Food Packaging• Uses:

– Detect / retards spoilage & bacterial growth

– Nanosensors for time / temp &/or moisture monitoring

– Lighter / stronger packaging

Plastic + clay nanoparticles– Hard as glass– Increased shelf life (to 6 months)– Better at sealing in CO2

Retards Spoilage

Detects / Retards Bacterial GrowthMilk cartons that

change color as milk goes “bad”

Silver nanoparticles reduce bacteria by 99.9%

Pathogen Detection …

Edible nano coatings could be used on meats, cheese, fruit and vegetables, confectionery, bakery goods and fast food

Nanosensors for time / temp / moisture monitoring

“Smart Packaging” turns blue as temperature increases CheckPointTM Time /

Temperature monitor

“The Wonder of You” (1970)

Non-stick nano lining for mayonnaise and ketchup bottles

Adhesive for McDonald’s burger containers

Starch nanospheres

Food Equipment

Food Equipment

• Sanitation• Durability

Liquid Glass

Food contact material

Nano silver cutting board (A-Do Global)

Nano-sized silver particles have increased antibacterial properties.

Antibacterial kitchenware (Nanocaretech/NCT)

Self-Cleaning Glass

OilFresh

1000HC

“Hygienic Surfaces”

Development and evaluation of coatings and surface conditions on steel for antibacterial and easy-to-clean properties.

Problems and Concerns:Food Safety

Ethics, Safety,

&Regulation

Ethics

• Legitimacy of scientific results– Public trust – Use / abuse by governments,

corporations, etc.• Who will benefit / suffer • Proper disclosure to the public• Genetic engineering / GMOs • Fear of the unknown

Ethics

Safety (advanced nanotechnologies could conceivably pose dangers beyond the immediate concerns about the health and safety of nanoparticles)

4 main categories:

Social justice (equity, access, and socioeconomics)

Social change (artificial intelligence, privacy)

Redefine humanity (radical control and enhancement of the human form)

EthicsNanoethics is an important concern that needs to be maintained in conjunction with the development of nanotechnology.

Nanoethics encourages the skepticism and scrutiny required to keep nanotechnology within ethical boundaries so that this promising new technology works only in the service of human flourishing.

Safety:

• Environmental impacts• Health impacts• Governance / regulations

have not kept pace

Why nanomaterials pose new risks• Nanomaterials are more chemically reactive and

have greater access to our bodies than larger

particles

• Greater bioavailability and greater bioactivity may

introduce new toxicity risks

• Nanomaterials can compromise our immune

system response and have long term pathological

effects

Nanotoxicity remains poorlyunderstood.

We don’t know:

• What levels of nano-exposure we are currently facing

• What levels of exposure could harm our health -- or if there is any safe level of exposure

Safety:Nanomaterials:- Exhibit properties not found at the macro-scale - Unpredictable safety problem and risk- Limited scientific evidence about potentialhazards and / or risks

Nanomaterial toxicity in food applications

Titanium DioxideZinc & Zinc OxideSilverSilicon Dioxide

Safety:Nanotechnology in food and packaging:

- Growing rapidly- No requirement to label food products containing nanoparticles

- No regulatory standard to comply with

HOWEVER … Research efforts have also revealed that the ways of making nanomaterials may not necessarily produce products with harmful effects

Many researchers in the food industry have been extremely careful about selecting their products and materials, and stress that they have not been working with materials that have raised concerns

RegulationNT poses a regulatory dilemma that would best be solved through new federal legislation.

Regulation“EPA intends to review as appropriate new nanotechnology products and processes as they are introduced, under EPA’s product review authorities, such as TSCA, FIFRA, and the Clean Air Act. EPA intends to work with producers and users of nanomaterials to develop protocols and approaches that ensure responsible development.”

http://www.epa.gov/osa/pdfs/nanotech/epa-nanotechnology-whitepaper-0207.pdf

RegulationNanotechnology relevant to the FDA might include research and technology development that both satisfies the NNI definition and relates to a product regulated by FDA. The regulatory consideration of an application involving a nanotechnology product may not occur until well after the initial development of that nanotechnology as well as the establishment of its statutory classification

A list of recommendations on the development of regulations

for nanofoods

Adapted from: C.-F. Chau et al. / Trends in Food Science & Technology 18 (2007) 269e280

• Consider particle size range, measurement methods, processing methods, physical and chemical properties, and safety concerns.

• Regulate nanofoods and food products containingnanoparticles as novel foods – even though theirlarger forms may already be permitted materials.

• Carry out societal and ethical research for food nanotechnology.

• Don’t focusing only on size, but also consider thechanges in the bioactivity, physicochemical property, and functions of nanoscale materials in relation to their size reduction.

• Divide nanofood products into different categoriesfor proper classification, management, and analysis.

• Require food labeling to identify the presence of nanomaterials in products, and provide possible particle size range and relevant safety information.

• Nanotoxicity screening should includephysicochemical characterization, in vitro assays and in vivo animal studies.

Copyright 2008-2010. Sherri S. Schultz, PhD.

• Risk assessment should include the potential release ofmanufactured nanoparticles from packaging materials into food materials.

• Laboratory protocols

are needed to protect

workers from exposure

to occupational health hazards.

• Address any regulatory gaps in the existing food and health related regulatory frameworks.

The Beginning Of The End ?? Or Just The Beginning ??

Concluding Remarks• Nanotechnology’s explosive growth must be tempered with a concern for its impacts, formed by sound, scientific research.

• The potential benefits of nanotechnology could indeed be life-changing. We must hope that thesechanges are for the better, and not at the expense of our environment and health.

Thank You for Your Attention !