Nanotechnology in Food? WTF!

by Katherine Gustafson · 2010-01-11 10:00:00 UTC
Topics:

I don't usually post such alarmist headlines, but when I read the following sentence in Food Navigator USA, a business-to-business publication, my eyes nearly popped out of my head. The article in which it appears is about the emerging use of nanotechnology to create stronger flavors and colorings in food and to serve other functions in food development and production. Here's the offending sentence:

One of the major safety worries about nanotechnology has been the suggestion that such small particles could feasibly cross cellular membrane barriers, meaning that an ingredient that is currently GRAS (generally recognized as safe) could become dangerous if it is nano-sized.

My first thought: Nanotechnology?! By George, 2010 is the future!

My second thought: "Cross cellular membrane barriers"? WTF?!

Apparently, it is rather cheap and easy for food producers to get into nanotech, in contrast to genetic engineering, a surprising fact that leads me back to thought number one.

The unknown impacts of these micro-particles, however, leads toxicologist Dr. George Burdock of the Burdock Group to state that this technology has the potential to become "the new asbestos," which brings me back to thought number two.

Burdock says that food manufacturers are on the hook to test the safety of all the ingredients they use, even tiny ones. What we have to worry about is those companies that decide to put us all at risk by cutting corners. “Manufacturers have a moral and ethical responsibility to test," he said. "Eighty percent of people play by the rules but you still have the bottom feeders."

Dear, oh, dear. Friends, I fear 2010 is indeed the future. WTF?

Photo: stock.xchng

Katherine Gustafson is a freelance writer and editor with a background in international nonprofit organizations.
PREVIOUS STORY:
At Gates Foundation, Agribusiness Prevails
NEXT STORY:
Join the Social Media Day of Action to Rid Girl Scout Cookies of Forest-Destroying Palm Oil

COMMENTS (1)

    Comment Policy

    · All fields are required to comment.

    [X]

    Comments on Change.org are meant for further exploration and evaluation of the campaign on Change.org. To that end, we welcome constructive comments. However, we reserve the right to delete comments which, as determined solely in our discretion: (1) are offensive, abusive, or off-topic; (2) include content solely intended to personally attack the campaign creator, (3) are designed to subvert or hijack comment threads rather than contribute to them; and/or (4) violate our terms of service and/or privacy policy. Repeat offenders may be permanently removed from the site at our discretion. Please also be advised that: (A) we do not actively curate and/or monitor in any manner whatsoever the comments made on the Change.org platform, and (B) the creator of each campaign on Change.org may remove any comment at her/his/its discretion.