In vivo toxicity studies for different NPs and relevant European legislation

NPTesting materialToxicityPurpose in foodReferenceEuropean legislation applicable to NMs in food
Ag NPsNitrifying bacteria, human colon carcinoma cells, human umbilical vein, endothelial cellsOxidative stress is associated to decrease viability, inhibition of mitochondrial activity, and initiation of apoptosisFood contact, packaging materials, and food additives[96, 97]Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008: for food additives; Regulation (EU) No 528/2012: biocides
TiO2 NPsAnaerobic gut bacteria, human gastric epithelial cells, human peripheral blood, mononuclear cellsPotentially carcinogenic, DNA damage, oxidative stress, chromatin condensation, and eventual cell death via apoptosisFood additive (E171 or INS171)[98100]Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008: on food flavourings
ZnO NPsHuman pulmonary adenocarcinoma cell, male IRC miceOxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunctionFood packaging[101, 102]Regulation (EC) No 2283/2015: on novel foods
SiO2 NPsSprague-Dawley rats, human bronchoalveolar carcinoma cellsFibrotic lung disease, lung cancer, emphysema and pulmonary tuberculosis, autoimmune disease, systemic sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and chronic renal diseasePackaging additive (E551)[103105]Regulation (EC) No 450/2009*: active and intelligent materials intended to come into contact with food
NOMs to encapsulate bioactive compoundsCells obtained from liver tissue of patient with hepatocellular carcinomaPrevent cell division, hinder cell proliferation, damage DNA and biological systems, eventually lead to cell death; raising concerns over acute and chronic toxicity and related problemsFood encapsulation, food processing, food supplement, active material intended to meet contact to food[36, 106, 107]Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006: for fortified foods
Fe2O3Blood lymphocytes from healthy humansGeneration of ROS, changes in function of vital organs, in cellular morphology, and induction of apoptosisFood additive, enzyme immobilization[108]Regulation (EU) No 10/2011*: on plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food; Regulation (EC) No 1332/2008: on food enzyme

EC: European Commission; EU: European Union; * Although both regulations are not directly applicable to NMs there is a reference to “New technologies that engineer substances in particle sizes that exhibit chemical and physical properties significantly different from those at a larger scale, for example NPs, should be assessed on a case-by-case basis as regards their risk until more information is known about such new technology. Therefore, they should not be covered by the functional barrier concept.”