Nanosilver in food packaging – can the nanoparticles migrate from the packaging into the food?

Silver nanoparticles impart antimicrobial properties to plastic packaging materials and can prevent the growth of food-damaging microorganisms via the targeted release of silver ions. There is a possibility that, in addition to silver ions, silver nanoparticles are being released from the packaging and migrate into the food. From a research perspective, this issue has not yet been conclusively resolved and is being further investigated. Nanosilver, one of the most prominent examples, which is commonly used in the USA, Asia or Australia, is currently not allowed to be used in plastic food packaging in the EU.

• For more information on this topic, please refer to the article in our cross cutting section “Nanomaterials in food packaging”