Nanotechnology lands in India, but is it a boon or a bane?

By Mattia Michielan

BANGALORE—Indian food companies have started using nanotechnology, but as in the case of genetically modified food, the regulatory regime governing the application of this technology is patchy.

“There are safety issues across the world concerning nanoparticles in food and drugs because they can pass through tissue without any obstacle,” said K.C. Raghu, director of Food and Nutrition World, a nongovernmental organization. “That’s the problem.”

As the world population balloons, food shortages are becoming an issue of primary importance. Scientists are searching for ways to produce more food without harming the ecosystem.

“Nanotechnology is a technology that is working with the small,” Raghu said. “A nano is one billionth of a meter, and at that level, matter behaves differently. For example, carbon modified with nanotechnology conducts electricity—it behaves differently from when is treated in macro levels.”

With the application of nanotechnology, biological molecules are engineered to assume functions very different from their natural ones. These are classified as nanotechnology products. Nanotechnology applications can redesign the cycle of production, manufacturing and preservation and even make unhealthy foods healthy.

A report issued by the European organization Nanoforum titled "Nanotechnology in Agriculture and Food" defines nanofood as being created “when nanoparticles, nanotechnology techniques or tools are used during cultivation, production, processing, or packaging of food.”

India has no laws governing nanotechnology

Nanotechnology applied in India could be the key to solve the problem of famine, malnutrition and potable water. But the fact that this technology promises utopian gains does not mean that it can be used before tests on possible side effects on consumers’ health and its environmental impact are conducted.

The SoftCopy contacted the Food Safety and Standard Authority, a new governmental body responsible for food safety control, to ask about the application of nanotechnology in the food industry and was referred to the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI).

Dr. V. Prakash, director of the CFTRI’s Mysore office, said that because there is no law governing the use of nanotechnology, the CFTRI cannot control how and where this technology is applied.

Rajarathe Nam, manager of the Maya Restaurant food chain, which offers both organic and nano food, said, “We have been using this technology for the last year mainly because the quality is better,” but he declined to say which foods the technology is applied to or at which stage of production it is applied.