Novel foods

Novel foods are foods or ingredients that were not eaten to a significant extent in the European Union before 15 May 1997. They can include:

• new ingredients such as sterols/stanols
• traditional foods eaten elsewhere in the world
• foods processed in new ways
• cell-cultivated products lab-grown from animal or plant cells

Novel foods must undergo a safety assessment and authorisation before they can be marketed. This guide explains what counts as a novel food, how novel foods are regulated, and how to apply for authorisation of novel food in the UK and Northern Ireland. It also gives information on novel production methods, including cloning and nanotechnology.

In Northern Ireland, the European Union novel foods rules apply. Under the Windsor Framework, some GB-authorised products can move to NI through the Northern Ireland retail movement scheme. Check current guidance before placing products on the NI market.