The Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) has recently determined that hydroxyapatite (HAP) in nanoform is safe for use in oral care products, with concentrations up to 29.5% in toothpaste and 10% in mouthwash. New safety showed that HAP nano does not cause genetic mutations, cytotoxicity, or inflammation, and is not significantly taken up by cells. The safety assessment applies only to specific types of HAP nano particles that meet certain criteria, such as rod-shaped particles with specific length-to-width ratios and no surface modifications. The case demonstrates that high-quality in vitro safety data can increase the possibilities of safely marketing nanomaterials.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recently evaluated silver as a food additive (E 174) and concluded that it cannot confirm its safety. This uncertainty arises from significant gaps in scientific data, particularly regarding the physicochemical properties and potential toxicity of silver particles at the nanoscale. The EC will consider EFSA's opinion when shaping its policy on the use of E 174 as a food additive.

Recent advancements in food packaging that use nanotechnology have the potential to improve food quality and safety by extending freshness, repairing damaged packaging, and informing consumers about spoilage. These innovations also offer sustainability benefits by reducing food waste and providing more environmentally friendly packaging options. However, it is crucial to ensure the safety of nanomaterials in food packaging for human health. A “safe-and-sustainable-by-design” approach can help balance innovation, sustainability, recyclability, and safety in packaging development.

Researchers tested the Prevention through Design (PtD) approach by examining the transition from laboratory-scale to pilot-scale production of Few-Layer Graphene (FLG). Based on PtD principles, they recommended reducing worker exposure to FLG during pilot-scale production through measures like using closed systems, local exhaust ventilation, and semi-automatic storage systems. The use of PtD in this study provides valuable insights on safety measures during scale up of nanomaterial production in similar settings.

Researchers have proposed an approach to create metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) that are designed to be safe and sustainable. The approach categorises the transformations that these materials undergo, helping to prevent the formation of harmful transformation products. MOFs are composed of metal clusters linked to organic compounds, resulting in porous structures that are useful in various applications, including catalysis, energy storage, water treatment, and sensors. By adopting a safe and sustainable approach in their design, the full potential of MOFs can be realised.

The European Commission (EC) intends to establish a digital infrastructure for advanced materials called the ‘Materials Commons’. This initiative intends to enhance the design, development, and testing of advanced materials. A key aspect of the platform will involve the use of artificial intelligence tools, which can potentially be used for optimized hazard and risk assessment of advanced materials.

A recent critical perspective argues that nanomaterials should be regulated as biological rather than chemical entities. The researchers emphasise the importance of using existing knowledge about the biological interactions of nanomaterials and their impact on human health and the environment. The authors list various well-known challenges regarding the safety assessment of nanomaterials.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has introduced new guidance for evaluating nanoparticles in food that may dissolve in lipids before consumption. By using the 1-octanol-water partition coefficient (KOW) method nanospecific considerations for safety assessments may potentially be waived.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2), previously banned as a food additive (E 171) in 2022 due to safety concerns, is used in medicines as an excipient. French scientists have estimated the intake of TiO2 from oral medications, finding that 54% contained TiO2, with an average daily intake of 1.71 mg. This is lower compared to the exposure from food when E 171 was still allowed.

Ex vivo exposure of human placentas to realistic concentrations of titanium dioxide (TiO2) and silicium dioxide (SiO2) nanoparticles affect placental protein secretion, which slowed the growth of new blood vessels in an in vitro model. Current regulatory guidelines do not sufficiently address placental toxicity, highlighting the need for improved testing methods to evaluate the reproductive and developmental toxicity of nanomaterials.