Say NO to European Commission wanting to introduce nano-particles in food without your consent

[WanderingTaoist]

European Commission - Have your say

European Commission - Have your say

ec.europa.eu

The European commission wants to redefine the notion of nano-particles.

If this new definition were finally adopted, ingredients containing less than 50% of particles smaller than 100 nm (10,000 times finer than a human hair) would no longer be considered [nano], and would thus escape mandatory labeling.

In doing so they want to repeal regulations (which have nothing to do with nano-particles specifically btw! but are general rules) :
- No 258/97 ( cf https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:31997R0258 )
- No 1852/2001 ( cf EUR-Lex - 32001R1852 - EN - EUR-Lex )

BTW, theses regulations act as fail-safe mechanisms making sure that what you eat is not poisonous, that you are not being misled, that what you eat is as close to natural as possible (if scientific evidence proves ingredients vary from what is naturally present in given food, they have to be labelled). They also make sure that "In the case of foods or food ingredients [...] containing or consisting of genetically modified organisms [...] ensure that all appropriate measures are taken to prevent the adverse effects on human health and the environment which might arise from the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms". This is only a few of safety measures mentioned here.

Cancelling theses two regulations is no less than all hell breaking loose, if it passes you have no idea what is in your food, they could even poison you voluntarily without your knowledge and consent.

Now that is the dark part, the bright part is that it simply CANNOT pass for you and your fellow human beings. You can do a good deed and send your feedback by clicking on the first link, make sure to be clear and ask for the complete cancellation of this initiative.

This is my feedback (in French, so feel free to translate) European Commission - Have your say

I sincerely apologize for any induced learned helplessness because of this post.

Thank you.

 

[Candeias]

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

 

[Ginali]

European Commission - Have your say

European Commission - Have your say

ec.europa.eu

The European commission wants to redefine the notion of nano-particles.

If this new definition were finally adopted, ingredients containing less than 50% of particles smaller than 100 nm (10,000 times finer than a human hair) would no longer be considered [nano], and would thus escape mandatory labeling.

In doing so they want to repeal regulations (which have nothing to do with nano-particles specifically btw! but are general rules) :
- No 258/97 ( cf https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:31997R0258 )
- No 1852/2001 ( cf EUR-Lex - 32001R1852 - EN - EUR-Lex )

BTW, theses regulations act as fail-safe mechanisms making sure that what you eat is not poisonous, that you are not being misled, that what you eat is as close to natural as possible (if scientific evidence proves ingredients vary from what is naturally present in given food, they have to be labelled). They also make sure that "In the case of foods or food ingredients [...] containing or consisting of genetically modified organisms [...] ensure that all appropriate measures are taken to prevent the adverse effects on human health and the environment which might arise from the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms". This is only a few of safety measures mentioned here.

Cancelling theses two regulations is no less than all hell breaking loose, if it passes you have no idea what is in your food, they could even poison you voluntarily without your knowledge and consent.

Now that is the dark part, the bright part is that it simply CANNOT pass for you and your fellow human beings. You can do a good deed and send your feedback by clicking on the first link, make sure to be clear and ask for the complete cancellation of this initiative.

This is my feedback (in French, so feel free to translate) European Commission - Have your say

I sincerely apologize for any induced learned helplessness because of this post.

Thank you.

Could you please provide a straightforward example? Which types of food will be the most affected by this? Will it primarily impact vegetables or fruits?

 

[BearWithMe]

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
...
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
Article 1
Amendment of the definition of the engineered nanomaterial
Point (f) of Article 3(2) of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 is replaced by the following:

(1) ‘Engineered nanomaterial’ means a manufactured material, consisting of solid particles that are present, either on their own or as identifiable constituent particles in aggregates or agglomerates, and where 50 % or more of these particles in the number-based size distribution fulfil at least one of the following conditions:

(a) one or more external dimensions of the particle are in the size range 1 nm to 100 nm;
(b) the particle has an elongated shape, such as a rod, fibre or tube, where two external dimensions are smaller than 1 nm and the other dimension is larger than 100 nm;
(c) the particle has a plate-like shape, where one external dimension is smaller than 1 nm and the other dimensions are larger than 100 nm;
In the determination of the particle number-based size distribution, particles with at least two orthogonal external dimensions larger than 100 μm shall not be considered.

(2) For the purposes of point (1), the following apply:
(a) ‘manufactured material’ means a material produced, synthesised or generated from physical/mechanical, and/or biological and/or chemical processing, and/or formulation, and/or transformation, of raw and/or starting materials;
(b) ‘particle’ means a minute piece of matter with defined physical boundaries. Single molecules are not considered ‘particles’;
(c) ‘aggregate’ means a particle comprising of strongly bound or fused particles;
(d) ‘agglomerate’ means a collection of weakly bound particles or aggregates where the resulting external surface area is similar to the sum of the surface areas of the individual components.
(3) A manufactured material with a specific surface area by volume of < 6 m2/cm3, and/or with high solubility and/or dissolution/degradation rate values in water as determined using the thresholds andmethodologies identified by the Authority shall not be considered an engineered nanomaterial.

...

Entry into force and application
This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
It shall apply from [18 months following the entry into force of this Regulation].
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels, 14.3.2024
For the Commission
The President
Ursula VON DER LEYEN