clude spina bifida and anencephaly. The benefits of folic acid in reducing the risk of NTDs have been conclusively established through randomised control trials and human intervention studies. Supplementation is recommended at levels between 300 and 600 µg per day in women of child bearing age although the efficacy of this supplementation has not been evaluated in all Countries. Several epidemiological studies have reported that diets high in folate are associated with a number of health benefits which include reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and a slowing of agerelated cognitive decline. However, intervention studies have
produced a wide range of results with some reporting adverse effects including an increase in risk of some cancers, specifically colorectal cancer. One study found that high levels of folic acid delay the diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency by masking anaemia, causing irreversible neurological damage. Based on these findings the Commission’s Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) set the upper limit (UL) at 1 mg per day although this was based on limited data and it is ESCO’s recommendation that it be revised when further data become available. Results of randomised control trials designed to test the effect of folic acid on recurrence of colorectal adenomas have proved in-
MIGRATION FROM NOVEL PACKAGING MATERIALS Many jurisdictions have regulatory requirements, which mean that tests must be carried out to check what substances might migrate from a packaging material into food. The development of what the European Commission refers to as “active and intelligent” food contact materials means that the number and type of substances with the potential to migrate is increasing and may present new hazards not yet encountered in the risk assessments for currently used materials. Novel packaging technologies may involve the inclusion of additives in packaging films, con-
tainers or sachets intended to maintain and extend product shelf life. They may also involve the use of nanotechnology to increase the barrier and antimicrobial functions of packaging materials. In some cases more stable, rigid and re-usable materials are being developed. Then there are enzyme systems, which could be used to slow spoilage or plastics which are intended to remain on foods during cooking. Active packaging, for instance, could contain oxygen scavengers, ethylene scavengers, carbon dioxide scavengers or emitters, and antimicrobial films. Nano-
conclusive providing contradictory results. One study reported no adverse effects while another, longer term study reported adverse effects on adenomas in the intervention group. Naturally occurring folate is found in a range of foods including chickpeas, lentils and green leafy vegetables. Many foods are voluntarily fortified with folic acid including bread and wheat flour products in a bid to reduce the number of incidences of NTDs. However, this is currently under review in the UK. While fortification of some staple foods, such as
flour is mandatory in the US and Canada, so far no EU member states have mandatory fortification. ESCO have recommended that legislation is reviewed and data from future research be carefully monitored. The report concluded that further research was essential to produce a fully qualitative risk assessment on folates and that future studies and research projects be carefully monitored. The report will now be assessed by the EFSA’s Panel on Dietetic products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) and an opinion published.
scale technologies are in development to improve traceability and monitoring of the condition of food during transport and storage, to make food contact materials stronger, lighter and more fire-resistant and less permeable to gases. Current risk assessment procedures involve the comparison of potential human exposure, estimated on the basis of migration studies, with predicted safe levels of exposure generally obtained from toxicological studies conducted in animals. Where only trace quantities migrate or few toxicological data are available, the concepts of the “Threshold of Regulation” (ToR) or Threshold of Toxicological Concern” (TTC) are applied. Howev-
er, even before the challenges of novel food contact materials presented themselves, there were criticisms of existing risk assessment methods. Much of this criticism has stemmed from the concept of “hormesis” whereby, for a given effect, a U-shaped dose-response curve has been postulated. This concept has led to allegations of potential adverse effects of food contact substances below the identified NOAEL (no observable adverse effect level). Such alleged adverse effects have generally been found in non-standard investigative studies. The Authors say that the integration of these results with the results of standard toxicology studies presents a daunting challenge.
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