Determination of Nanomaterials in the Food Industry: An Approach to Safety and Quality

Nanomaterials (NMs) have a significant impact on many industries, such as the cosmetic industry, the biocidal industry, the healthcare industry, and, in particular, the food industry. This study considers the two main applications of NMs in the food chain, as food additives and in food packaging as food contact materials. This study analyses the regulations in force in the European Union to shape the European legislative framework in which NMs are developed and applied, highlighting the possible trade-off occurring between Food Safety and Food Quality. In general, it appears that the European Union takes into account the dimension of nanomaterials, and not their particular toxicity and the importance to carry out case-by-case assessment studies.