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Do you know what microplastics and nanomaterials have in common? Their infinitesimally small size makes these compounds difficult to assess. They are also two topics that we study at ANSES to better understand the hazards they represent. Engineered nanomaterials and plastic have some advantages, but the resulting particulate contamination can have negative consequences for human health and ecosystems. Today, in collaboration with the French National Research Agency (ANR), we are organising a scientific webinar on recent work on the impact of microplastics and nanomaterials. Read our close-up dedicated to these two themes.

ANSES recently assessed the risks associated with the coumarin content of certain plants when consumed in food supplements in particular. Coumarin is a natural aromatic compound found in certain plants such as cinnamon. It is used in food as a spice or natural flavouring ingredient. Coumarin can cause liver damage when taken in high doses. To avoid exceeding the tolerable daily intake (TDI) set by EFSA, the Agency recommends keeping coumarin intake through food supplements below 4.8 mg per day for a 60 kg adult. It also advises people with a history of liver disease to avoid consumption of cinnamon-rich foods and food supplements containing coumarin.

ANSES notes the conclusions of EFSA's re-assessment of titanium dioxide used as a food additive (E171), which confirm the health concerns raised by the Agency in its own 2017 and 2019 assessments. It will now take the data from this new assessment into account in its ongoing work to assess the risks associated with nanoscale food additives and ingredients. Use of the food additive E171 was suspended in France in January 2020.