Keywords
biocide
food packaging
active food contact materials
How to Cite
Abstract
Silver nanoparticles are one of the most used products in the booming nanotechnology sector. In this article we review the use of such products in food packaging materials and their potential toxicity. The amount of silver released from these containers depends on factor changes such as the pH of the medium, temperature and exposure time. The release of Ag+ is due to oxidation of the nanoparticles, and this process can be favored by microwave heating of packages containing these nanoparticles having biocidal properties.
The best-described adverse e ect in humans of chronic exposure to silver is argyria (a permanent bluish-grey discoloration of the skin and/or eyes). In risk assessments for the general population, the World Health Organization has set a non-observable adverse e ect level with regard to the sum of all exposure routes of 5 μg/kg body weight/day. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommends not exceeding the group-speci c migration limits of 0.05 mg/l and 0.05 mg/kg in food and water respectively.
The EFSA has proposed setting up a register of applications of nanotechnologies in the agricultural, food and feed sectors to obtain the information needed to assess these emerging risks. A holistic approach from the competent authorities to environmental health and food and chemical safety is required.
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