Nanoceuticals: Tiny Size, Big Potential

Summary posted by Meridian on 11/30/2009
Source: Natural Products Insider
Author: Steve Myers

This article takes a comprehensive look at the various ways nanotechnology is having an impact on nutrition and food, and touches upon the science behind this emerging field as well as potential dangers. The regulatory side of nanotechnology in food and supplements in the United States is also addressed, with the author concluding that the regulatory environment is in a state of flux. A guidance document is expected from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2010, but until then only nanotech food additives and colors must be tested for safety and toxicity. The use of nanotechnology and nanomaterials in food and dietary supplements continues to grow, although many companies are elusive about the presence or use of nanomaterials in their products. Helmut Kaiser Consultancy (HKC) has projected the nanofood market to rocket from US$7 billion in 2006 to US$20.4 billion by 2010, noting that there are more than 200 companies around the world active in research and development. Food and beverage packaging is an area expected to grow rapidly in the coming years. Nutrient delivery is another arena where nanotechnology is expected to quickly expand its role. The article details many of the latest developments in nutrient delivery, such as the use of nano-micelles - capsules that help emulsify or dissolve fat in water solutions and aid absorption of fat-soluble nutrients - and nanoencapsulation of nutraceutical ingredients, also to improve absorption and protect sensitive ingredients from oxidation. The author says, in conclusion, that "[I]t is truly an infant frontier that hopefully does not become another cowboy-filled Wild West the natural products industry does not need." The article can be viewed online at the link below.

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Nanofood for Thought -- Nature Nanotechnology (2/5/2010) This editorial, in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, is in response to the recent report, "Nanotechnologies and Food", released in January by the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee, United Kingdom, that criticized the food industry for failing to be transparent about its research into the uses of nanotechnologies and nanomaterials. [More]

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our team contact us site map	Nanoceuticals: Tiny Size, Big Potential Summary posted by Meridian on 11/30/2009 Source: Natural Products Insider Author: Steve Myers This article takes a comprehensive look at the various ways nanotechnology is having an impact on nutrition and food, and touches upon the science behind this emerging field as well as potential dangers. The regulatory side of nanotechnology in food and supplements in the United States is also addressed, with the author concluding that the regulatory environment is in a state of flux. A guidance document is expected from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2010, but until then only nanotech food additives and colors must be tested for safety and toxicity. The use of nanotechnology and nanomaterials in food and dietary supplements continues to grow, although many companies are elusive about the presence or use of nanomaterials in their products. Helmut Kaiser Consultancy (HKC) has projected the nanofood market to rocket from US$7 billion in 2006 to US$20.4 billion by 2010, noting that there are more than 200 companies around the world active in research and development. Food and beverage packaging is an area expected to grow rapidly in the coming years. Nutrient delivery is another arena where nanotechnology is expected to quickly expand its role. The article details many of the latest developments in nutrient delivery, such as the use of nano-micelles - capsules that help emulsify or dissolve fat in water solutions and aid absorption of fat-soluble nutrients - and nanoencapsulation of nutraceutical ingredients, also to improve absorption and protect sensitive ingredients from oxidation. The author says, in conclusion, that "[I]t is truly an infant frontier that hopefully does not become another cowboy-filled Wild West the natural products industry does not need." The article can be viewed online at the link below. The original article may still be available at www.naturalproductsinsider.com/articles/2009/11/nanoceuticals-tiny-size... As tagged by Meridian Institute: Health And Medical: Nutrition, Diseases Implications: Human Enhancement, Human Health Risks, Governance, Environmental Risks, Economic Competitiveness, Ethics Materials And Manufacturing: Manufacturing, Materials Nanomaterials: Carbon Nanoparticle, Metal Nanoparticle, Naturally Occurring Regions: North America Stakeholders: Government, Industry Food And Agriculture: Food, Nutrition, Packaging Related Forums: Health and Medical Materials and Manufacturing Food and Agriculture Human Health Risks and Worker Safety Environmental Risks Economic Competitiveness Governance Ethics print format	NDN Home Subscribe Manage Subscription Search News Archives Understanding Public Debate on Nanotechnologies: Options for Framing Public Policy -- The Innovation Society (2/8/2010) The Governance and Ethics Unit of the Directorate General for Research (DG Research) of the European Commission (EC) has published an overview paper on options for framing public policy on nanotechnologies. [More] UN Patent Filings Dropped for 1st Time Since 1978 -- ABC news (2/8/2010) The United Nations World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), an entity through which a company can, for a fee, file a request for patent protection in any or all of the 142 countries that have subscribed to the U.N.'s Patent Cooperation Treaty, reported that the number of international patent filings dropped last year for the first time since 1978. [More] TECHNOLOGY: Science Panel Probes Renewable Energy's Current Use of China's Rare Metals -- Environment & Energy Daily (2/8/2010) A United States House of Representatives Science and Technology subcommittee this week will hold a hearing on rare earth mineral production and the resource's role in the growing clean energy industry. [More] Nanofood for Thought -- Nature Nanotechnology (2/5/2010) This editorial, in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, is in response to the recent report, "Nanotechnologies and Food", released in January by the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee, United Kingdom, that criticized the food industry for failing to be transparent about its research into the uses of nanotechnologies and nanomaterials. [More] More News... Learn how to include these headlines on your own website by clicking here. Please email us if you require text-only versions of the daily emails.