EFSA Scientific Colloquium N°13: ‘What’s new on Novel Foods’

What’s new on Novel Foods’ - EFSA's 13th Scientific Colloquium

EFSA scientists organised a colloquium with international experts on 19-20 November to discuss scientific information needed for applications on novel foods and novel food ingredients submitted for authorisation in the European Union. In the light of the revision of the Novel Foods Regulation, EFSA will be asked by the European Commission to update the existing scientific and technical guidance for applicants bringing novel foods to the EU market prepared by the former Scientific Committee on Food (SCF).

Background

The objective of this Colloquium was to bring together international experts and interested parties from different sectors for an open scientific debate on key issues related to the foreseen revision of the Novel Foods Regulation that will serve as input for the preparation of an EFSA Guidance for applicants.

The Colloquium was attended by around 100 international experts in safety assessment and regulatory affairs, food manufacturers and others involved in novel foods, coming from 24 countries, including the United States, Peru and New Zealand. A briefing note had been circulated to all participants before the Colloquium raising a set of discussion points on four topics. After a short plenary session with introductory presentations the meeting broke up in small groups to enable in-depth discussions. The discussion groups (DGs) addressed the following themes:

DG 1 – History of (safe) use and traditional foods from non-EU-countries
DG 2 – Data requirements and approach for anticipated intake
DG 3 – Key issues in absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) studies, toxicology and allergenicity
DG 4 – Data requirements to demonstrate safety of foods derived by nanotechnology