Regulatory frameworks for nanotechnology applications in the production of food-contact plastic materials and articles

Regulations on the production and marketing of plastic materials and products intended to come into contact with food, including the specific requirements for substances in the form of nanomaterial Used in the production of plastic materials and articles are contained in Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/2011. Currently, seven substances in the form of nanomaterial are listed in the Union list of authorised substances: titanium nitride (FCM 807), carbon black (FCM 411), silicon dioxide (FCM 504), kaolin (FCM 410), butadiene/ethyl acrylate/methyl methacrylate/styrene copolymer cross-linked with divinylbenzene (FCM 859), butadiene/ethyl acrylate/methyl methacrylate/styrene copolymer not cross-linked (FCM 998), and butadiene/ethyl acrylate/methyl methacrylate/styrene copolymer cross-linked with 1,3-butanediol dimethacrylate (FCM 1043). In order to minimize the risks associated with the use of substances in the form of nanomaterial, they are covered by scientific risk assessment conducted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on a case-by-case basis.