Novel Food

Food and Food supplements for athletes: the European standard NF EN 1744 for doping prevention in sport

À l’aube des Jeux Olympiques 2024, il est important pour les sportifs de savoir que l’application de la norme européenne NF EN 1744 les protège en limitant les agents dopants dans les compléments alimentaires pour sportifs.

A crucial milestone reached for cannabidiol (CBD) in the United Kingdom

On 30 April 2024, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) concluded based on the opinion of the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP) that novel foods, synthetic cannabidiol (CBD) and CBD isolate developed by Chanelle McCoy Ltd and Cannaray Ltd respectively were safe under the proposed conditions of use.

New algae species authorized in foods or in food supplements in the EU

The use of algae biomass in foods is a growing market in Europe. On February 2024,a list of more than 20 new algae species has been added to the Novel Food catalogue. When there is the evidence of a traditional use of algae in any EU Member State before 15 May 1997, their use as foods and food supplements is not considered as novel and is not subject to a long and costly pre-market approval procedure according to the Novel Food Regulation. A list of around 50 algae species considered as not novel is now available in the EU Novel Food catalogue.

New guideline for probiotics and prebiotics from WGO and ISAPP

The World Gastroenterology Organization (WGO) recently released an updated guideline document, aimed at helping gastroenterologists and other physicians understand the appropriate clinical applications of probiotics or prebiotics. The guideline was created with input from experts in gastroenterology, probiotics and prebiotics, with efforts co-led by experts from the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP). To create these guidelines, experts comprehensively evaluated the evidence from randomized, controlled trials for gastrointestinal conditions, including which specific prebiotic strain or substance showed a positive effect. The guidelines present a list of conditions for which there is positive evidence for the effectiveness of probiotics and/or prebiotics.

Extension of conditions of use of the novel food ‘astaxanthin-rich oleoresin from Haematococcus pluvialis algae’ in the EU

On 1 August 2023, the EU Commission published implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1581 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470 as regards the conditions of use of the novel food ‘astaxanthin-rich oleoresin from Haematococcus pluvialis algae’. The new Regulation extends the conditions of use in food supplements for children aged 3 to less than 10 years and for adolescents aged 10 to less than 14 years of age (1).

CBD in France

The cannabidiol, CBD, an active substance most often of natural origin, is one of the phyto-cannabinoids. CBD, as the tétrahydrocannabinol (THC ), is present in the cannabis flowers and leaves. It is a non-addictive psychotropic drug, unlike THC. It is also a component in the form of an extract, medicine, or everyday consumer products, only some of which are authorised in France under specific conditions of THC content. In addition, CBD is considered at European level as a novel food whose safety is currently being assessed by EFSA.

New momentum for the edible insect sector in Great Britain

The publication of a statutory instrument finally allows certain edible insects to be legally placed on the British market.

Alphitobius diaperinus: the European Commission authorizes an additional edible insect species

Under a new Regulation, lesser mealworm larvae enter the list of authorized novel foods.

EFSA establishes the safety of an additional insect species as Novel Food

Alphitobius diaperinus larvae may soon be on our plates!

The safety of cannabidiol as a Novel Food in EU: data gaps and uncertainties

On 28 June 2022, a webinar information session was held to present the recently published EFSA “Statement on safety of cannabidiol as a novel food: data gaps and uncertainties” to stakeholders.

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