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context, a strand of DNA is 2.5 nm wide, a protein —_ worldwide (see http://www.hkc22.com). It estimates that molecule 5 nm, a red blood cell 7,000 nm and a human the global nano-food market was worth US$5.3 billion in hair 80,000 nm. 2005 and will rise to US$20.4 billion by 2010. It predicts The properties of nano-particles are not governed by the that nanotechnology will be used in 40 per cent of the same physical laws as larger particles but by quantum _ food industries by 2015. mechanics. The physical and chemical properties of There are four key focus areas for nanotechnology food nano-particles—for example, colour, solubility, strength, research: chemical reactivity and toxicity—can therefore be quite ¢ nano-modification of seed and fertilisers/pesticides; different from those of larger particles of the same ¢ food "fortification" and modification; substance. ¢ interactive "smart" food; The altered properties of nano-particles have created ¢ "smart" packaging and food tracking. the possibility for many new and profitable products and applications. Engineered nano-particles are used in | Nanomodification of seeds and fertilisers/ literally hundreds of products that are already available _ pesticides on supermarket shelves, including transparent sunscreens, Proponents say that nanotechnology will be used to light-diffracting cosmetics, penetration-enhanced further automate the modern agribusiness unit. All farm moisturisers, stain- and odour-repellent fabrics, dirt- inputs—seeds, fertilisers, pesticides and labour—will repellent coatings, long-lasting paints and furniture become increasingly technologically modified. varnishes, and even some food Nanotechnology will take the products. genetic engineering of The APEC (Asia-Pacific agriculture to the next level Economic Cooperation) Center In the absence of mandatory down: atomic engineering. for Technology Foresight has ‘ Atomic engineering could predicted that nanotechnology product labelling anywhere enable the DNA of seeds to be will revolutionise all aspects of In the world, It Is impossible rearranged in order to obtain our economy and society, with . different plant properties associated large-scale social to tell how many commercial including colour, growth season, ‘nen ee CUMIN sicrnicaly engineered ferlises How will nanotechnology nano-ingredients. and pesticides will be used to be used for food production maintain plant growth. Nano- and processing? sensors will enable plant growth, Industry analysts an pH levels and the presence of proponents predict that nanotechnology will be used to _ nutrients, moisture, pests or disease to be monitored from transform food from the atomic level up. far away, significantly reducing the need for on-farm "Thanks to nanotechnology, tomorrow's food will be labour input. designed by shaping molecules and atoms. Food will be The concerned organisation, The Action Group on wrapped in 'smart' safety packaging that can detect Erosion, Technology and Concentration (ETC), warns in spoilage or harmful contaminants. Future products will its seminal report "Down on the Farm" (available at enhance and adjust their color, flavor or nutrient content —_http://www.etcgroup.org) that in a nanotechnology- to accommodate each consumer's taste or health needs. shaped future "the farm will be a wide-area biofactory And in agriculture, nanotechnology promises to reduce that can be monitored and managed from a laptop and pesticide use, improve plant and animal breeding, and _ food will be crafted from designer substances delivering create new nano-bioindustrial products"—or so states The _ nutrients efficiently to the body". Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies' 2006 report on the use of nanotechnology in food and agriculture Food "fortification" and modification (available at http://www.nanotechproject.org). Nanotech companies are working to fortify processed The food and agriculture industries have been investing food with nano-encapsulated nutrients, its appearance and billions of dollars into nanotechnology research, with an _ taste boosted by nano-developed colours, its fat and sugar unknown number of unlabelled nano-food products content removed or disabled by nano-modification, and already on the market. In the absence of mandatory its "mouth feel" improved. product labelling anywhere in the world, it is impossible Food "fortification" will be used to increase the to tell how many commercial food products now contain nutritional claims that can be made about a given nano-ingredients. processed food; for example, the inclusion of "medically The Helmut Kaiser Consultancy Group, a pro- _ beneficial" nano-capsules will soon enable chocolate chip nanotechnology analyst, suggests that there are now over _ cookies or hot chips to be marketed as health promoting 300 nano-food products available on the market _ or artery cleansing. Nanotechnology will also enable worldwide (see http://www.hkc22.com). It estimates that the global nano-food market was worth US$5.3 billion in 2005 and will rise to US$20.4 billion by 2010. It predicts that nanotechnology will be used in 40 per cent of the food industries by 2015. There are four key focus areas for nanotechnology food research: * nano-modification of seed and fertilisers/pesticides; ¢ food "fortification" and modification; ¢ interactive "smart" food; ¢ "smart" packaging and food tracking. Food "fortification" and modification Nanotech companies are working to fortify processed food with nano-encapsulated nutrients, its appearance and taste boosted by nano-developed colours, its fat and sugar content removed or disabled by nano-modification, and its "mouth feel" improved. Food "fortification" will be used to increase the nutritional claims that can be made about a given processed food; for example, the inclusion of "medically beneficial" nano-capsules will soon enable chocolate chip cookies or hot chips to be marketed as health promoting or artery cleansing. Nanotechnology will also enable 38 ¢ NEXUS In the absence of mandatory product labelling anywhere in the world, it is impossible to tell how many commercial food products now contain nano-ingredients. www.nexusmagazine.com DECEMBER 2008 — JANUARY 2009