106年度「奈米食品及包材容器具管理及溝通說明」委託研究計畫

Nanotechnologies, the hot topic worldwide, have been applied to food industries in recent years, especially in food processing (e.g. nano-sized food materials, nano-sized food additives, and the nano-encapsulated nutrient supplements) and food packaging. Nanotechnologies have been shown to change the habit/behavior of consumers and bring immense benefits to human life, however, like some new technologies, it may also raise potential hazards to human health and environment. Nanomaterials can enter human body through the inhalation, ingestion and skin contact. Among those, gastrointestinal tract is the most common exposure route for nano-food, as well as the nano-scale migrants from food utensils, container and packages. Nanoparticles entering from gastrointestinal tract are distributed mainly in liver, kidney and the digestive tract. Moreover, the clearance of nanomaterials are difficult, suggested the likehood of accumulation. Thus, it is necessary to re-visit the safety of nanotechnologies-applied products before these products enter the market. As the increasing interest in applying nanotechnologies and concerns on the potential hazards of nanomateirals, European Community have announced the “WORKING DEFINITION” of nanomaterials and the Guidance on the risk assessment of the application of nanoscience and nanotechnologies in the food and feed chain in 2011. To assure the health of consumers, it is essential to guide the industry and the market by appropriate regulations/guidances. In addition, it is essential to let publicity be aware of the potential risk raised by nanotechnologies. The knowledge gaps should be deliveried to consumers by holding the workshops or public consultations. Since 2009, Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) began to elaborate the protocol on the safety assessment of nano-foods. A number of discussion forums were held for the feedbacks from the general public, scholars and NGO groups. Finally, two guidance ducumentations elaborated the registration of “nano-food” and “nanomaterials-contained food utensils, container and packages” were uploaded to the official website of Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) on Nov. 24, 2014 and May. 17, 2016, respectively. Both guidance documentations could ensure the reality, safety and efficacy of the targeted products. Eventually, this will improve the efficiency of official administration and industrial developments. The objectives of this proposal are summarized as below: 1. Host at least four workshops or public consultation on “Guidance on the Registration of Nano-food” and “Guidance on the Registration of Nanomaterials-contained Food Utensils, Container and Packages”, to enhance public knowloge. 2. Host a conference to discuss the management of nano-food and of nanomaterials-contained Food Utensils, Container and Packages. 3. Continued to collect the latest Nano-Tech management information of worldwide. 4. Others mission noticed by TFDA.