EFSA has opened a public consultation on its draft guidance for the risk assessment of nanoscience and nanotechnology applications in the food and feed chain. The guidance covers the relevant areas within EFSA’s remit, such as novel foods, food contact materials, food and feed additives, and pesticides.

The new document takes account of scientific developments that have taken place since publication of the previous guidance in 2011, particularly studies that offer new insights into exposure assessment and hazard characterisation of nanomaterials.

It also considers nano-specific considerations relating to in vivo/in vitro toxicological studies and outlines a tiered framework for toxicological testing, and proposes ways to carry out risk characterization and uncertainty analysis.

Interested parties can submit comments until March 4 2018.