In May 2014 the non-governmental organization Friends of the Earth published a report (pdf) finding the number of food and beverage products containing nanomaterials has increased 10-fold in the past 6 years in the U.S.. Nanomaterial-containing foods and beverages listed by Friends of the Earth include cheeses, cookies, doughnuts, coffee creamer, chocolate syrup, pudding, mayonnaise, mashed potatoes, milk soy, almond and rice beverages, gum, popcorn and yoghurt. Since the issuing of its last report in 2008 Friends of the Earth added 96 products to its list of foods and beverages containing nanomaterials and suspects that many more may contain nanomaterials without declaring it. The new report points out that nanomaterials may be more chemically reactive and bioactive than their larger counterparts. Further, they may have greater bioavailability, compromise the immune system response and have long-term pathological effects. The nanoparticles of silver, titanium dioxide, zinc and zinc oxide are known to be used in food and beverage products, including food contact materials. Currently, the use of nanomaterials in food and beverage products has not to be declared on the ingredient list neither in the U.S. nor in Europe.
Read more
Friends of the Earth (May 2014). “Tiny ingredients, big risks.” (pdf)
Erich Pica (May 23, 2014). “Tiny, risky, unlabeled and you are eating it.” Huffington Post.
