Hearts and minds need to be won in the battle to commercialise nanotechnology, if it is to avoid going the same way as GM food, according to a new study.

Public acceptance of such new technology being introduced to the food and agriculture sector is a major challenge for stakeholders, according to the study published in called Implications of nanotechnology growth in food and agriculture in OECD countries.

The report, by Guillaume Grure of the International Food Policy Research Institute, USA,comes as a FoodNavigator.com poll found that 73% of readers believe the European Commission should heed calls to ban GM crops .

Published in the April issue of Food Policy, the study identifies three main policy challenges; funding and investment, risk governance, and public acceptance.

Public acceptance is seen as critical and researchers have emphasized the importance of delivering the right message from a trusted authority.

However, the author states: The GM food rejection in OECD countries provides an illustration of what needs to be avoided. At the same time, despite all warning, there are signs that nano food products may face the exact same consumer rejection as GM food.

Similarly he suggests that industry needs to proactively communicate transparently on the use of nanotechnology in food.

Nano

Nanotechnology-enabled products were defined as those derived or issued from materials at scales measuring less than 100 nm in at least one dimension.

They are being developed and commercialized for improved processing and nutrition, among others, but its rapid emergence has raised concerns.

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GM a “cautionary tale” for nanotechnology