Novel Foods

EEA Joint Committee Incorporates Magnesium L‑Threonate Food Supplement Regulation, Excluding Liechtenstein

In February 2026 the EEA Joint Committee incorporated the EU regulation on magnesium L-threonate in food supplements into the EEA Agreement, while expressly excluding Liechtenstein. This aligns Norway and Iceland’s supplement rules with the EU, enabling use of magnesium L-threonate as an approved magnesium source and signalling further convergence of EEA food supplement authorisations.

23 May 2026, 19:19efta.intEuropean Economic AreaNorwayIcelandEuropean Union

Japan CAA To Hold Online Meeting On Cell‑Cultured Foods Under Food Sanitation Standards Council (28 May 2026)

Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency will hold an online meeting of the Food Sanitation Standards Council’s subcommittee on newly developed foods on 28 May 2026 to examine cell‑cultured foods. This early technical review signals Japan’s emerging regulatory approach to cell‑cultured food safety and could shape future standards, approval pathways, and market access for such products.

23 May 2026, 19:19caa.go.jpJapan

EU and EEA Authorise Roasted Dipteryx alata (Baru) Seeds as Traditional Novel Food

EU Regulation 2025/1263 authorises roasted seeds of Dipteryx alata Vogel (baru nuts) as a traditional novel food, sets detailed compositional and contaminant limits, and this measure has now been incorporated into the EEA Agreement and Norwegian law. This opens EU/EEA market access for baru-based products under harmonised safety specifications and labelling rules, creating opportunities for food manufacturers while requiring tight control of heavy metals, process contaminants, mycotoxins, and microbiological quality.

23 May 2026, 11:18eur-lex.europa.euEuropean UnionEuropean Economic AreaNorway

EEA Joint Committee Decision 18/2026 Incorporates Regulation (EU) 2025/1735 Into Annex II of the EEA Agreement

In February 2026 the EEA Joint Committee incorporated EU Regulation (EU) 2025/1735, which authorises a new folate source in infant and specialised foods, into Annex II of the EEA Agreement, with effect from 7 February 2026 and excluding Liechtenstein. Food and nutrition businesses supplying the EEA can now use monosodium salt of L-5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid in infant formula, baby foods, total diet replacements and foods for special medical purposes, creating reformulation options while requiring checks that recipes and labelling comply with the updated Union list under Regulation (EU) No 609/2013.

23 May 2026, 09:11eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Economic Area

EFSA Updates Novel Food, GM Soybean and Consultation Dockets on Open Portal

EFSA’s Open portal now highlights updated EFSA-Q dossiers for two novel foods, a GM soybean and a Bactoblis health claim alongside four late-May 2026 public consultations on food enzymes and pesticide peer review. These risk-assessment milestones and short consultation windows signal approaching scientific opinions under the EU Novel Food and GM food and feed frameworks, so food, feed and crop protection businesses should consider whether these dossiers intersect their portfolios and plan input or follow-up accordingly.

22 May 2026, 18:49open.efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

Germany – Hannover Court Fines Kiosk Operators for Selling Illegal Nicotine Pouches ("Snus")

Amtsgericht Hannover has issued penalty orders and significant fines against two kiosk operators for selling unauthorised nicotine pouches (snus) that are treated as unsafe novel foods under EU and German food law. This enforcement action signals heightened compliance risk for retailers and distributors of nicotine pouches and similar borderline food/tobacco products across the EU, where such sales are banned except in Sweden.

22 May 2026, 16:48amtsgericht-hannover.niedersachsen.deGermanyEuropean Union

FSA Publishes Consumer Insights Tracker On Food Concerns And Novel Food Technologies (January–March 2026)

The UK Food Standards Agency has published new Consumer Insights Tracker results for January–March 2026, including consumer awareness and acceptance of precision breeding and precision-fermented dairy alongside wider trends in food affordability, concerns and trust in the regulator. The findings show low awareness and cautious, regulation-dependent acceptance of these novel food technologies, suggesting that future authorisation and market uptake will rely heavily on clear safety evidence, robust oversight and credible communication to build consumer confidence.

20 May 2026, 19:56science.food.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

FSANZ Notification Circular 395-26: New Applications and MRL Harmonisation Proposal

FSANZ has issued Notification Circular 395-26 (19 May 2026) announcing acceptance of a new enzyme processing aid application, preparation of the 2025 MRL harmonisation proposal, commencement of a novel food assessment, and new APVMA notices on potential pesticide MRL changes. These early-stage steps signal likely future amendments to the Food Standards Code and Schedule 20, giving food and agriculture businesses advance warning of emerging changes to processing aids, novel ingredients and maximum residue limits.

20 May 2026, 19:18foodstandards.gov.auAustraliaNew Zealand

Italy: Pilot Study Shows Food Allergen Carryover in Black Soldier Fly Larvae

An Italian pilot study has shown that soy and celery allergens can persist in black soldier fly larvae reared on allergen-containing substrates even after 48 hours of fasting, while peanut was not detected and gluten remained below analytical limits. This strengthens the case for careful substrate selection and precautionary allergen labelling for insect-based foods in Europe as Hermetia illucens moves closer to potential novel food authorisation under the EU framework.

14 May 2026, 19:17mdpi.comItalyEuropean Union

UK Regulatory Policy Committee Updates Cross-Government Tracker of Outstanding Post-Implementation Reviews

In May 2026 the UK Regulatory Policy Committee refreshed its cross-government tracker of outstanding post-implementation reviews, highlighting that reviews for several key environment, chemicals, HSE and food regulations are overdue or due within the next six months. This signals that regimes such as UK F-gas and ozone-depleting substances controls, agricultural diffuse pollution rules, novel foods and worker-safety frameworks may soon be opened for review, so compliance and policy teams should anticipate forthcoming consultations and possible changes to obligations.

13 May 2026, 19:13gov.ukUnited Kingdom

EFSA NDA Concludes L‑Alpha‑Glycerylphosphorylcholine from Soya Lecithin Is Safe as a Novel Food

In March 2026 EFSA’s NDA Panel issued a positive safety opinion on L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine from soya lecithin as a novel food ingredient for use at low-dose levels in food supplements for consumers over three years of age in the EU. This scientific assessment paves the way for potential EU authorisation and market entry, signalling a new choline source option for supplement manufacturers while confirming no safety concerns at the proposed intake levels.

13 May 2026, 19:07efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.comEuropean Union

EFSA NDA Panel Concludes Safety of Schizochytrium sp. A2 Oil for Infant and Follow-On Formula Cannot Be Established

EFSA's NDA Panel has concluded that, on the current evidence, the safety of a DHA-rich oil from Schizochytrium sp. A2 proposed as a novel food ingredient for infant and follow-on formula and adult supplements cannot be established under the EU Novel Food framework. This means no immediate expansion of DHA sourcing options for EU infant formula and supplements, so manufacturers should continue relying on existing authorised ingredients while monitoring for any revised dossiers or Commission decisions.

13 May 2026, 11:58efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.comEuropean Union

EFSA NDA Issues Opinion on Safety of Beta-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide (β-NMN) as a Novel Food for Adult Food Supplements

In May 2026 EFSA's NDA Panel concluded that chemically synthesised beta-nicotinamide mononucleotide (β-NMN) is safe as a novel food ingredient in adult food supplements at doses up to 300 mg per day, providing a bioavailable source of niacin under the EU novel foods and food supplements frameworks. This scientific opinion sets a clear safety benchmark for forthcoming EU authorisation decisions and gives supplement manufacturers an evidence-based intake limit and specification profile for any β-NMN products targeting the European market.

13 May 2026, 11:58efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.comEuropean Union

EFSA Opens Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid Novel Food Risk Assessment And Admits Carvacrol And GM Maize Dossiers

EFSA has validated a novel food application for gamma-aminobutyric acid, admitted a carvacrol pesticide dossier and logged a GM maize renewal request into its Open EFSA register in May 2026. These early-stage assessments signal potential future authorisations or conditions for novel ingredients, pesticides and GM crops in the EU, giving manufacturers and food chain operators advance visibility on regulatory risk and timelines.

11 May 2026, 11:42open.efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

EFSA Open Adds Zinc and Selenium Feed Additive Dossiers; GMO Maize Applications Removed From Ongoing Work

EFSA’s Open EFSA platform has added a new zinc chelate feed additive dossier and updated a group of selenium feed additive dossiers, while several GMO maize and food improvement agent applications have disappeared from the ongoing work list in early May 2026. These pipeline changes indicate active EU risk assessment ahead of potential authorisation or renewal decisions, so feed and food operators using these additives or affected GMOs should monitor EFSA outputs and prepare for possible adjustments to permitted uses and conditions.

9 May 2026, 13:26open.efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Commission Decision Terminates Novel Food Authorisation Procedure for Gel Food Product NF 2019/1395 Without Updating Union List

In May 2026, the European Commission published an implementing decision that terminates the EU novel food authorisation procedure for gel food product NF 2019/1395 without amending the Union list of authorised novel foods. This leaves the product outside the EU’s authorised novel foods list, so companies cannot rely on EU-wide authorisation for this specific gel product and may need to adjust innovation and product plans accordingly.

9 May 2026, 07:16ec.europa.euEuropean Union

EU PAFF Novel Food Committee Publishes 13 May 2026 Agenda on Mineral Oil Hydrocarbons and Novel Foods

The European Commission’s PAFF Novel Food and Toxicological Safety committee has published the 13 May 2026 agenda, highlighting draft measures on mineral oil hydrocarbons in food and several novel food authorisations. These agenda items signal upcoming EU decisions on MOH limits, sampling methods and specific novel foods, giving food and packaging businesses early warning of potential new compliance requirements.

5 May 2026, 15:55food.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

EU EFSA Pauses UV-Treated Mealworm Oil Novel Food Assessment Until 20 May 2026

EFSA has updated its OpenEFSA entry for the UV-treated mealworm oil novel food application, confirming that the risk-assessment clock remains stopped until 20 May 2026 with an internal assessment deadline of 14 October 2026. For food and ingredient manufacturers this is a procedural timing update under the EU Novel Food Regulation, signalling when an EFSA opinion may be expected rather than introducing any new regulatory obligations, but it can inform planning for product launch and EU market authorisation strategies.

4 May 2026, 18:23open.efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

EFSA Sets Clock Stop Until 15 June 2026 for Synthetic Paraxanthine Novel Food Application (EFSA-Q-2023-00571)

EFSA has updated its novel food application entry for synthetic paraxanthine (EFSA-Q-2023-00571), confirming the assessment remains in ongoing risk assessment status with a clock stop expected until 15 June 2026 under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. This indicates that any EU authorisation decision and related market opportunities or compliance duties around using synthetic paraxanthine in food will not crystallise before at least mid-2026, extending the planning horizon and uncertainty for food and ingredient manufacturers.

3 May 2026, 07:21open.efsa.europa.euEuropean Union

EFSA Places Xia Powder 435 Novel Food Modification Application Under EC Validation

EFSA has updated its novel foods record for Xia Powder 435 to show that the modification application remains at intake status but has completed suitability checks and is now under European Commission validation as of late April 2026. This procedural step indicates the dossier is moving forward within the EU novel foods framework, but no changes to the existing authorisation apply yet, so food companies should monitor for the eventual EFSA opinion and Commission implementing act that could alter conditions of use or labelling.

30 Apr 2026, 10:38open.efsa.europa.euEuropean Union