Press Release: Commission proposes measures to encourage safe novel foods in the EU

The European Commission adopted a proposal to revise the Novel Foods Regulation with a view to improving the access of new and innovative foods to the EU market, while still maintaining a high level of consumer protection. Under the draft Regulation, novel foods would be subject to a simpler and more efficient authorisation procedure, which should enable safe, innovative foods to reach the EU market faster. Moreover, special provisions were made for foods which have not been traditionally sold in the EU but which have a safe history of use in third countries, in order to create a more proportionate system and positive environment for trade. The proposal also set out certain data protection rules, which aim to protect newly developed foodstuffs once authorised, and encourage companies to invest in developing new types of foods and food production techniques.

European Commission: MEMO/08/17: Questions and Answers on Novel Foods http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/08/17&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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