1 October, 2018

What are new foods for the European Union?

We have written on several occasions about the European Regulation on New Foods, also known as ‘novel foods’, among other issues about the novelties and improvements that it has with respect to the past regulation, as well as the recent corrections therein.

The main intention of this document is to facilitate the commercialization of new products to food companies, opening market niches within countries belonging to the European Union.

In this post we will discuss what new foods are for the European Union and what are the requirements for a food to start marketing within the EU.

The EU defines a new food, or ‘novel food’, is one that was not consumed in significant quantities in the EU before May 1997, the year in which the first new food regulations came into force.

The foods that are incorporated into this list are because they have just been developed or have been produced with technologies and new production procedures, such as molecularly modified structures or nanomaterials, or because they are traditionally eaten outside the EU, as is The case of insects. T

he use of new foods in the EU will only be authorized if

• they do not present a risk to public health, because the relevant scientific studies have been carried out,
• they are not disadvantageous from the nutritional point of view if they replace a similar food,
• and do not mislead the consumer, especially if it is intended to replace another food and there are significant changes in the nutritional value.

It should be emphasized that the following foods are not governed by this regulation:

• Food additives, regulated by Regulation (EC) 1333/2008
• Aromas for use in food, regulated by Regulation (EC) 1334/2008
• Extraction solvents used in food production, regulated by Directive 2009/32 / EC
• GMO for food and feed, regulated by Regulation (EC) 1829/2003
• If food and/or food ingredients were used exclusively in food supplements, new uses in other foods require an authorization under the New Food Regulations food fortification requires authorization.

If you have questions about the EU Regulation of New Foods, do not hesitate to contact us. At LegaleGo Nutrition we will answer your questions without any commitment.