The Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST), a United Kingdom-based independent qualifying body for food professionals in Europe and the only professional body in the UK concerned with all aspects of food science and technology, is calling for greater appraisal of the potential risks from the release into the environment of nanomaterials used in food packaging. The IFST raised concerns that wider exposure to anti-microbial agents in food contact materials (FCMs) could lead to heightened bacterial resistance, and called for more research on the consequences of their release into the environment. The IFST also called on the European Food Safety Authority to require full toxicity data on engineered nanomaterials used as composites in FCMs, even if there is no evidence for migration of such particles into food. “IFST considers that this is important because, although the direct use of these materials may not lead to significant ingestion of the particles, knowledge of the level of toxicity, or lack of toxicity, may be needed in order to assess the acceptable levels of migration.” Disposal of food contact materials, said the organization, could lead to the release of more reactive forms into the environment and suggested the development of specialized recycling procedures to be considered as part of the risk assessment. The article can be viewed online at the link below.