Regulating Nanotechnologies: The EU Approach to the Food Sector

In recent decades technoscientific innovation has pushed the food boundaries to a new frontier of nanofood. Such a term refers to an array of food products, whose processes of growing, production, and packaging involve nanoscale (Nanosciences and Nanotechnologies) knowledges and applications. This contribution focuses on the analysis of the European regulatory framework in the field of agri-food nanotechnology, by considering the legal instruments (hard and soft law) designed by European institutions to deal with the novel challenges posed by nanomaterials. A balance between hard and soft ‘nanoregulation’ requires a dynamic, transparent, and inclusive approach, in order to assure the highest standards of food safety for the protection of citizens’ health.