Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the use of nanomaterials to extend the life of soft fruit.

Defra and the Food Standards Agency are aware of the potential for nanotechnology to be used to extend the shelf life of soft fruit. This area is covered by EU legislation. Nanotechnology products must be authorised before they can be used in or on food, or in food packaging. The authorisation process includes a comprehensive safety evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). To date, no nanotechnology products for direct application to soft fruit have been authorised in the EU and none are currently being considered for authorisation.