EU Safety Assessment of Silver Nanoparticles to Use in Food Contact Materials


Posted By: Trace One

On August 09, 2021, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued the “Safety assessment of substance Silver nanoparticles for use in food contact materials” intended to be used in plastics.

The safety evaluation highlights the following:

  • The additive is intended to be used as a surface biocide up to 0.025% w/w.
  • The acceptable range of Silver particles size of 1–100 nm, with about 15 nm mean diameter and 99% by a number of particles below 20 nm.
  • Specific migration and abrasion tests indicate, under the intended and tested conditions of use, that the silver nanoparticles do not migrate and resist released by abrasion.
  • The test method does not give rise to exposure via food and to toxicological concerns.
  • Migration of silver insoluble ionic form up to 6 μg/kg food from the surface of the additive particles is observed.
  • Group restriction of 50 μg silver/kg food proposed by the AFC Panel in 2004 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.
  • The substance does not raise safety concerns 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.
  • Exposure to silver from other sources of dietary exposure may exceed the ADI set by ECHA.

To view the safety assessment report, check out the Food News Monitoring System.