The big cover up: nanotechnology in the food industry
According to a new report from the Science and Technology Committee at the House of Lords, those in manufacturing food jobs and companies are being far too secretive about the technology they use to modify our foods.
The study claims that after all the controversy over the use of genetically-modified GM crops, many food manufacturers are hesitant to admit how much they are using and researching nanotechnology.
What is nanotechnology?
This refers to the manipulation of particles on an incredibly small scale, a practice that has many applications in a number of consumer products thanks to lax regulation on nanotechnology. The food industry is accused of taking advantage of loopholes in the law to use this groundbreaking technology to enhance the flavour or nutritional value of some food products.
The Committee's report - entitled Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies - speculates that at least 84 food manufacturing companies are already using nanotechnology today. The industry is notoriously hush-hush about issues like this, however, so the full picture of nanotechnology in the food and drink sector has not yet been revealed.
Do you think food companies should spill the beans over their use of nanotechnology, or should they be left alone as long as the law allows it? Feel free to leave your comments.
The study claims that after all the controversy over the use of genetically-modified GM crops, many food manufacturers are hesitant to admit how much they are using and researching nanotechnology.
What is nanotechnology?
This refers to the manipulation of particles on an incredibly small scale, a practice that has many applications in a number of consumer products thanks to lax regulation on nanotechnology. The food industry is accused of taking advantage of loopholes in the law to use this groundbreaking technology to enhance the flavour or nutritional value of some food products.
The Committee's report - entitled Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies - speculates that at least 84 food manufacturing companies are already using nanotechnology today. The industry is notoriously hush-hush about issues like this, however, so the full picture of nanotechnology in the food and drink sector has not yet been revealed.
Do you think food companies should spill the beans over their use of nanotechnology, or should they be left alone as long as the law allows it? Feel free to leave your comments.
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