A taste of nanotechnology and learning to enjoy it EU Workshop Converging Technologies for Food --- Dec 20, 2005 Frans Kampers
Healthcare and Food Increasing world population Ageing population Obesity Diabetes curativepreventive
Nanotechnology in Food Processes Sustainability Cost Precision
Nanotechnology in Food Processes Sustainability Cost Precision Sensors and diagnostics Quality Safety
Nanotechnology in Food Processes Sustainability Cost Precision Sensors and diagnostics Quality Safety Packaging and logistics Shelf life = cost Logistics Information
Nanotechnology in Food Processes Sustainability Cost Precision Sensors and diagnostics Quality Safety Packaging and logistics Shelf life = cost Logistics Information Products Preventive Healthcare Individualised Quality Innovation Life style Fun …
Nanotechnology in Food Processes Sustainability Cost Precision Sensors and diagnostics Quality Safety Packaging and logistics Shelf life = cost Logistics Information Products Preventive Healthcare Individualised Freshness Innovation Life style Fun …
The Consumer Perception Unknown Invisible Unnatural History Benefits ? Risks ! External factors
Nanotechnology in Food Mostly: Water soluble Degradable by biological processes Made up of building blocks that always have been present in food products
Risk / Benefit Assessment It is essential that individual consumers have objective information to enable them to make a risk/benefit assessment Consumers must have faith in the credibility of the information Consumers are willing to take risks daily
Hazard and Risk Risk Assessment Hazard Identification Hazard Characterisatio n Risk Characterisatio n Exposure Assessment Risk Management Risk Communication
Risk management Precautionary principle: New technologies should not be allowed when they imply risks for men or environment, even when this risk has not been scientifically proven Proportionality principle: Measures taken should be based on risk-benefit evaluation: pe: no moratorium
Communication What have we learned from the GMO issue? How to avoid pitfalls Communication
Points of Attention Nanotechnology: there are hazards, we do not yet know if there are also risks Be honest about potential risks Research into effects Regulation and standardization Built trust
Of the unknown Fear is not a good counselor