How to evaluate applications of nanotechnology for the packaging of organic foo

Seidel, K.

Speiser, B.

English

Organic Eprints

How to evaluate applications How to evaluate applicationsof nanotechnology for the of nanotechnology for thepackaging of organic food pg g grg >Bernhard Speiser & Kathrin Seidel, FiBLwww.fibl.or>BioFach, Nürnberg, 19 February 2009w , g, yThe subject is interdisciplinary The subject is interdisciplinaryOrganic Organic productionstandardsPackaging technologyrgwww.fibl.oNano-technologyw technologyCurrent evaluation systems in  Organic farming organic farming> Evaluation of «inputs» (fertilizers plant protectionfarming> Evaluation of «inputs» (fertilizers, plant protection products, disinfectants, food & feed additives etc.)Id th l ti b fit d i k f > Idea: the evaluation compares benefits and risks of an input, considering its intended userg benefits risks risks ??www.fibl.o> In the case of nano-technology, the benefits w(improved functionality) are quite clear, while the risks are uncertain!Organic farming General criteria for inputs evaluationpositive negativefarming General criteria for inputs evaluationpositive negativeNecessity of intended use (f ti lit )……....(functionality)Environmental impact …….... ……....Human health impact …….... ……....Origin (natural vs synthetic)rgOrigin (natural vs. synthetic) ……....Consistency with principles of if i…….... ……....www.fibl.oorganic farmingwGood packaging of organic foods packaging Good packaging of organic foods> Protects food from dirt, decay and contamination.pg g> Protects food from dirt, decay and contamination. Enables long shelf life. Allows clear separation of organic and other foods.> Does not contaminate the food by itself.> Is easy to handle during packaging and by the > Is easy to handle during packaging and by the consumer.Hl i t t h i t ( f t &rg> Has low impact on the environment (manufacture & disposal). Makes careful use of resources.www.fibl.o> Looks attractive, supports organic character of the product.wStandards for packaging of  Organic farming packagingorganic foodPackaging is not as strictly regulated as productionfarming pg gPackaging is not as strictly regulated as production.Legal Organic Regulations (e.g. EU): no specifications ki on packaging.Some private standards (e.g. IFOAM, Soil Association, Naturland, Bioland, Bio Suisse, Demeter) cover packaging. Main aspects:rg> Use only necessary packaging.> Use reusable, recycled, recyclable or biodegradable www.fibl.o ,y ,y gmaterials whenever possible.> Packaging does not contaminate the organic productw > Packaging does not contaminate the organic product.Nano-technology / nano- Organic farming particles and organic farming> Several discussion meetings within thefarmingnano> Several discussion meetings within the organic sector (BioFach 2008; IFOAM conference 2008; Berlin 2008; IFOAM EU group). > The organic sector as a whole has not yet made up its opinion on nano-technology.> Some label organisations have made up their opinion and have published standards or position thl ( S i l A i t i)rgpapers on nano-technology (e.g. Soil Association).> Overview: see www.fibl.org/nanotechnology/www.fibl.owNano-technology in «organic Organic farmingpackagingBetter  Replacement of unwanted t il?Contamination ft h packaging»: some questionsnanofunctionality of packaging?materials?(e.g. aluminium by SiOx)of the environment after disposal?Less packaging material needed?positive negativeNecessity ……....material needed?yEnvironmental impact …….... ……....rgHuman health …….... ……....Origin (natural vs. synthetic) ……....www.fibl.oPrinciples of organic farming …….... ……....Contamination  Less wSlower decay of food?of the organic food?preservatives needed?Your opinion Your opinion …> Positive aspects? > Positive aspects?> Negative aspects?rgThank you for your attention!www.fibl.ow

How to evaluate applications of nanotechnology for the packaging of organic food

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