Nanotec, fda to work on guidelines

 Since it is claimed that nanotechnology has many commercial uses in the food industry, it has become necessary for the country to have measures for the control of nano foods.

Nuttapun Supaka, head of the testing service unit at Nanotec, said the centre and the FDA will develop guidelines for companies who want the FDA's certification for selling nano-food products in Thailand.

The guidelines are under development and expected to be ready in a year.

Nuttapun said the guidelines would determine the procedures for submitting a proposal and the documents required for getting the FDA's approval.

To apply for certification, Nuttapun said companies will need to give details about the application of nanotechnology in their products. The certification will also require test results from authorised testing organisations who will guarantee the nano material's effectiveness in the products.

The manufacturer must also ensure that all materials are safe and comply with the food-grade standards.

"We have to develop a format for companies when they apply for certification from the FDA so that every nano-food product that gets the certification will meet the same standard and is, in fact, a genuine nano-based product," he said.

As of now, the centre is studying the British standards for nano-food certification as something that can be applied in Thailand.