Hillary Benn, Minister of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs of the United Kingdom, said recently that nanotechnology will have “real potential†to help meet the food needs of a rapidly growing world population. It will not only greatly extend the preservation of packaged foods, but also Promote crop growth. In the United States, there are several tests that examine the feasibility of developing "nanosensors." Sensors in implantable animals can detect a disease before it affects a group of animals.
According to the British "Observer" report, Hilary Benn is leading a government plan to solve the problem of how to deal with the global demand for food production that will double by 2050. The demand for such demand is a growing number of people. And changes in eating habits in emerging countries.
The report said that new breakthroughs in nanometer technology at the microscopic level will help develop plastic packaging that prevents food and beverages from being contaminated by deadly bacteria or oxygen from entering the container. The technology will also be used to enrich the nutrition of foods and maintain the vitamin content that is usually lost in foods over time. Farmers can also use this technology to ensure that fertilizers are slowly applied to crops at the right time, as well as to detect threats from pests or contaminants.
In food production, nanotechnology is increasingly viewed as a "successor" of genetically modified technology because of genetic resistance to genetic modification. At present, the development of nanotechnology is still in its infancy. Materials being developed include: carbonated beverage bottles made of nanoparticles embedded in the inner layer to prevent carbon dioxide leakage; storage boxes with tiny silver particles have antibacterial properties. Kill all kinds of bacteria in the package. In the United States, there are several tests that examine the feasibility of developing "nanosensors." Sensors in implantable animals can detect a disease before it affects a group of animals.
However, nanotechnology has also caused a high degree of controversy. Green environmentalists claim that its impact on human health is still unknown. Hilary Benn said that the Royal Commission on Controlling Environmental Pollution recently concluded that "no sign" indicates that nanotechnology is harmful to health.
The potential impact of nanotechnology on human health and the environment has not yet been confirmed. At present, the British government continues to fund research to answer questions about its impact on the environment or health. Nano Foods still needs a license in the UK, but Hilary Ben said the government is pushing for a broader management system in the EU.