Sludge Watch ==> Friends of the Earth - Nanotech in food

[Maureen Reilly]

Friends of the Earth, Mar. 11, 2008


NANOTECH EXPOSED IN GROCERY STORE AISLES

Report finds Miller Light, Cadbury and other brands have toxic risks

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Untested nanotechnology is being used in more than
100 food products, food packaging and contact materials currently on
the shelf, without warning or new FDA testing, according to a report
released March 11, 2008 by Friends of the Earth.

The report, Out of the Laboratory and onto Our Plates: Nanotechnology
in Food and Agriculture, found nanomaterials in popular products and
packaging including Miller Light beer, Cadbury Chocolate packaging and
ToddlerHealth, a nutritional drink powder for infants sold extensively
at health food stores including WholeFoods.

"Nanotech food was put on our plates without FDA testing for consumer
safety," said Ian Illuminato, Friends of the Earth Health and
Environment Campaigner. "Consumers have a right to know if they are
taste-testing a dangerous new technology."

Existing regulations require no new testing or labeling for
nanomaterials when they are created from existing approved chemicals,
despite major differences in potential toxicity. The report reveals
toxicity risks of nanomaterials such as organ damage and decreased
immune system response.

"Nanotechnology can be very dangerous when used in food," said report
co-author Dr Rye Senjen. "Early scientific evidence indicates that
some nanomaterials produce free radicals which destroy or mutate DNA
and can cause damage to the liver and kidneys."

Report co-author Georgia Miller, Friends of the Earth Australia
Nanotechnology Project Coordinator, said many of the world's largest
food companies, including Heinz, Nestle, Unilever and Kraft are
currently using and testing nanotechnology for food processing and
packaging. Without increased federal oversight, these companies could
begin sale of these products whenever they choose.

"There is no legal requirement for manufacturers to label their
products that contain nanomaterials, or to conduct new safety tests,"
said Miller. "This gives manufacturers the ability to force-feed
untested technology to consumers without their consent."

Nanotechnology, the manipulation of matter at the scale of atoms and
molecules, is now used to manufacture nutritional supplements, flavor
and colors additives, food packaging, cling wrap and containers, and
chemicals used in agriculture.

"Friends of the Earth calls on the FDA to stop the sale of all nano
food, packaging, and agricultural chemicals until strong scientific
regulations are enacted to ensure consumer safety and until
ingredients are labeled," said Illuminato.

The report, released internationally today in the U.S., Europe and
Australia details more than a hundred nano food, food packaging and
food contact products now on sale internationally. The Australian
government has already welcomed the report and announced that it will
begin exploring regulation of nano food and nano agriculture as a
result of the report. The full report can be found at www.foe.org.

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Friends of the Earth is the U.S. voice of an influential,
international network of grassroots groups in 70 countries. Since
1969, Friends of the Earth has been at the forefront of high-profile
efforts to create a more healthy, just world. One of its current
campaigns focuses on combating the spread of nanotechnology without
regulation and oversight.