A similar call also could be carried out for nanomaterials potentially present as residues.

On February 6, 2019, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety ("ANSES") published a call for information on the use of nanomaterials in food. Stakeholders (e.g., food business operators, nongovernmental organizations) can provide their input by March 31, 2019.

Essentially, the aim of this call is to: (i) supplement, if necessary, the list of substances identified; (ii) furnish information on the uses of these substances in human nutrition; and (iii) provide consolidated analytical evidence of the presence of a nanometric fraction in the identified substances.

The scope of the call for information is limited to substances added voluntarily to foodstuffs or food contact materials ("FCM") for which the presence of nanomaterials is proven or suspected. In particular: (i) additives and food ingredients; and (ii) substances used in the formulation of active and intelligent packaging for which an intentional contact with the food or an intentional transfer from the packaging to the food are observed. Consequently, nanomaterials potentially present as residues are excluded (e.g., unintentional migration from materials in FCMs and materials in contact with water, residues from treatment or supply of water intended for human consumption, and veterinary drugs). Nevertheless, ANSES has stated that a similar call could be carried out separately for nanomaterials potentially present as residues, as the case may be.

Further details on the call, as well as the list of identified substances, are available on the ANSES website.