Continuing Education
Kewl – I just got confirmation and login info for the “webinar” I’ll be “attending” on May 6: “Future Applications of Nanotechnology in Food and Consumer Products: Are Novel Safety Studies Necessary?” It’s being given by Dr. George Burdock and Dr. Ray Matulka of the Burdock Group…looks pretty interesting.
Why nanotechnology? I have good ol’ Muscletech to thank for that one. When I was doing my review on Cell-Tech Hardcore, I came up against their claim of using “Nanomolecular Hyperdispersion Technology” for improving the absorption of their creatine – or rather, a “precise portion of the creatine” (meaning, “not all of it”). Of course, this was just a marketing term, as it was clear that the actual process involved was simply a very fine micronization.
For the record, a micron is one-millionth of a meter, which – while quite small – is still a thousand times larger than a nanometer.
So what’s in a name? The potential for a lot of consumer confusion, unfortunately. This sort of “terminology abuse” is evident in some of their other supps too: like NaNO Vapor, and Nitro-Tech Hardcore.
I don’t mean to pick on Muscletech per se…It’s a catchy, high-tech sounding term that everyone’s heard of – so the “kewl” factor is pretty high. And – since it’s the wave of the future – why not ride on it now?
So I figured I should learn something about it – it helps to be able to distinguish reality from BS when it comes to supplements – ain’t it? I like to be proactive, rather than reactive – and I have a premonition that we’re going to be seeing A LOT of this particular term in future supplement ads. Thanks for the heads up, MT!
Here’s the outline of what will be covered:
Webinar Outline:
- Definition and importance of nanotechnology
- Differences in physico-chemical properties
- The role of nanotechnology in the food industry
- Parameters of nanotechnology relevant to safety/toxicity
- Unique characteristics of nanoparticles
- Nanotechnology in food ingredient safety assessments
- FDA’s review of nanotechnology safety
- Supplements and cosmetics – NFDA pre-market approval
- Properties of nanoparticle vs. macroparticle
- Nanotechnology applications in food ingredients
- Delivery technology
- Stability
- Potency
- Nanotechnology applications in food packaging
- Oxygen Sensors
- Bacterial sensors
- Improved oxygen/carbon dioxide impermeability
- Visual indicators/tracking identifiers
- Nanotechnology applications in cosmetics
- Improved UV block
- Toothpaste
- Metallic lip gloss/improved sheen
- Mineral powders
- Male pattern baldness relief/regrowth of follicles
- Innovations for food, food packaging and cosmetics
Looks interesting! So stay tuned…I’ll report back afterwards.
