Toxicological effects of ingested nanocellulose in in vitro intestinal epithelium and in vivo rat models

toxicity was evaluated in rats gavaged twice weekly for five weeks with 1% w/w suspensions of CNF in either water or cream. Blood, serum, lung, liver, kidney, and small intestine were collected for analysis. No significant differences in hematology, serum markers or histology were observed between controls and rats given CNF suspensions. These findings suggest that ingested NC has little acute toxicity, and is likely non-hazardous when ingested in small quantities. Additional chronic feeding studies are required to assess long term effects, and potential detrimental effects on the gut microbiome and absorbance of essential micronutrients. These studies are underway, and their outcome will be reported in the near future.