Some summary answers to the most frequently asked questions on the Novel food issue
A novel food is defined as a food for which human consumption remained negligible in the European Union before 15 May 1997, when the first regulation (Reg. 258/97) on novel foods came into force.
The marketing of a novel food/ingredient requires a prior European authorisation which stipulates the specifications of the novel food and its conditions of use (dose, food matrix, etc.).
No, the NF regulation is not applicable to: additives, flavourings, food enzymes, extraction solvents, GMOs.
The ingredient is not “new” in the sense of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283, it is, or the ingredient is a traditional food in a third country.
If a plant is included in the list of authorised plants, this does not mean that all preparations made from it are authorised.
No, it must be possible to prove on a case-by-case basis that this type of preparation was significantly consumed before 1997 in the EU.
Yes, according to the Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/456 on the steps of the consultation procedure for the determination of novel food status.
4 months, renewable once.
No, a mixture of several plant extracts, a bacterium, for example, can be the subject of an application.
No, the Commission is very clear, extracts of Cannabis sativa L. and derived products containing cannabinoids are considered as novel foods because no history of consumption has been demonstrated.
A question?
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