Companies could soon be required to tell Australian authorities if they are using nanotechnology in food, but critics say they should also be required to provide new safety data and labelling for consumers.

Under a proposal released this month by Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ), food companies would be required to provide information on the size and shape of nanoparticles used in food, if this could have implications for food safety assessment.

According to a survey by Friends of the Earth there are more than 104 foods, food packaging, kitchen and agricultural products worldwide that contain extremely small 'nanoscale' ingredients.

Nanotechnology is used in food to help processing and extend shelf life, but concern has been raised that the small size of nanoparticles provides unique risks to humans and the environment.

"It's great FSANZ is calling for this information, but in many cases the safety data just isn't there," says Miller.