2024-09 New infographic: Understanding the threshold for nanoparticles

EU Specialty Food Ingredients is happy to present its new infographic ‘Understanding the threshold for nanoparticles‘.

In the EU, a nanomaterial is defined by the proportion of solid particles in a material, where 50% or more of these particles fall within the size range of 1 to 100 nanometres. However, this single criterion does not sufficiently define a nanomaterial, and many other scientific criteria should therefore be included.

Regardless of its value (1, 10, 50 or 90 %), the threshold for nanoparticles does not impact the safety of substances like food additives, novel food ingredients and nutrients. No matter the percentage of nano-particles that may be present, the safety of these ingredients is assessed by the European Food Safety Authority according to adequate methodologies.

For more information on nanoparticles and engineered nanomaterials, please also read our dedicated factsheet: ‘Understanding nanoparticles and engineered nanomaterials: use and labelling‘.