Draft EU List of Authorized Novel Foods Published

A ‘novel food’ is a food or ingredient that has not been consumed to a significant degree in the EU prior to 15 May 1997. These include products traditionally eaten outside the EU prior to this date, such as chia seeds, argan oil and noni fruit juice, as well as foods produced using innovative processes, such as UV-treated mushrooms.

Currently, food manufacturers looking to use a novel food or ingredient in their products have to obtain prior authorisation from the first country in the EU in which the food/ingredient will be marketed. That authorization applies across the EU but is personal to the applicant, so other companies wishing to use the same food/ingredient have to apply for a separate authorization.

This post originally appeared on Hogan Lovells Focus on Regulation.

Authored by Richard Welfare.