Open AccessSafety assessment of the substance silver nanoparticles for use in food contact materials
Author(s) -
Lambré Claude,
Barat Baviera José Manuel,
Bolognesi Claudia,
Chesson Andrew,
Cocconcelli Pier Sandro,
Crebelli Riccardo,
Gott David Michael,
Grob Konrad,
Lampi Evgenia,
Mengelers Marcel,
Mortensen Alicja,
Steffensen IngerLise,
Tlustos Christina,
Van Loveren Henk,
Vernis Laurence,
Zorn Holger,
Castle Laurence,
Di Consiglio Emma,
Franz Roland,
Hellwig Nicole,
Merkel Stefan,
Milana Maria Rosaria,
Barthélémy Eric,
Rivière Gilles
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
efsa journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.076
H-Index - 97
ISSN - 1831-4732
DOI - 10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6790
Subject(s) - food contact materials , silver nanoparticle , abrasion (mechanical) , nanoparticle , food packaging , food additive , materials science , chemistry , nanotechnology , food science , composite material
The EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids ( CEP ) assessed the safety of the additive silver nanoparticles intended to be used in plastics. All the silver particles are in the size range of 1–100 nm, with about 15 nm mean diameter and 99% by number of particles below 20 nm. The additive is intended to be used as a surface biocide at up to 0.025% w/w in non‐polar plastics for contact with a wide variety of foods, times, temperatures and food contact surface/mass of food ratios. The particulate form is maintained when the additive is incorporated into plastics, albeit with some aggregation/agglomeration observed. The data and information on theoretical considerations, on specific migration and abrasion tests show that, under the intended and tested conditions of uses, the silver nanoparticles stay embedded in the polymer, do not migrate and resist release by abrasion, thus, do not give rise to exposure via food and to toxicological concern. There is migration of silver in soluble ionic form up to 6 μg/kg food from the surface of the additive particles. This is below the group restriction of 50 μg silver/kg food proposed by the AFC Panel in 2004 and would lead to a maximum exposure from FCM that would be below the acceptable daily intake ( ADI ) of 0.9 μg silver ions/kg body weight (bw) per day established by ECHA . Therefore, the Panel concluded that the substance does not raise safety concern for the consumer if used as an additive at up to 0.025% w/w in polymers, such as polyolefins, polyesters and styrenics, that do not swell in contact with aqueous foods and food simulants. The Panel noted, however, that exposure to silver from other sources of dietary exposure may exceed the ADI set by ECHA .