Novel foods - new legislation in force since 1 January 2018
Novel foods are a hot topic for anyone involved in product development or renewal. These 'novel foods', such as insects, the sugar molecule tagatose or technically manufactured nanomaterial, may only be placed on the market if authorised under the general or simplified application procedure. Without this authorisation, use for human consumption is prohibited.
Tim De Boeck
New regulation
Before 1 January 2018, European Regulation 258/97 applied in this area, and depending on the applicable legislation and the nature of the product, the general or simplified application procedure had to be initiated.
To avoid repeated evaluations at national and European level, a new European Regulation 2015/2283 provides for a centralised procedure. This new regulation enters into force on 1 January 2018. Applications for authorisation will be submitted systematically and free of charge to the European Commission, which will request a scientific evaluation from EFSA. If the EFSA opinion is favourable, the Commission will adopt an authorisation decision, in consultation with the competent authorities of the member states, and the novel food will be included in the Union list of authorised novel foods.
