Novel Food Explained: Regulation, Definition & Impact on Supplements
Whether you are new to supplements, or an industry veteran, you have probably come across the term ‘Novel Food’, but not everybody fully understands what it means. In this blog we will explain what ‘Novel Food’ means and the implications that it has on the supplement industry.
What Does Novel Food Mean?
Novel Food is defined as food that had not been consumed to a significant degree by humans in the EU before 15 May 1997, when the first Regulation on novel food came into force.
The regulation applies to all food products sold within the EU and UK, with specific rules applying to food supplements.
Examples of novel foods that are interesting to the supplement industry are L-Theanine, Tongkat Ali and Beta-alanine. The list of novel foods is extensive so be sure to check that your ingredients are permitted during formulation.
There are foods which are classified as Novel but, through a regulatory procedure, have been deemed safe for use in food supplements. These are sometimes referred to as “approved novel foods”. We will go into more detail on this later on, but for now, just know that specific ingredients can be checked with the Novel Food Catalogue from the European Commission.
It is worth noting that there are foods which classify as novel which are not on the list. While it is a valuable resource to check, if you have any doubts you should seek further clarity before moving to production.
How does it apply to Supplement Manufacture?
Supplements are officially classed as ‘Food supplements’ and have to follow the same rules as other foods in many circumstances. This includes novel foods and, as mentioned above, there are some specific rules which apply to food supplements.
For example, L-Theanine is classed as novel food but, if the ingredient is extracted from green tea it’s approved for use in food supplements. However, L-Theanine from any other source is not approved for use in food supplements at the time of writing.
With thousands of ingredients in the catalogue it is difficult for manufacturers to keep track of which ingredients are permitted. In many cases your manufacturer will let you know if there is something that they know is novel. However, it’s your responsibility to ensure your formulation meets the standards in order to sell in the UK or EU.
Impacts on Quality and Safety
The novel food status exists to ensure supplements are safe to consume and benefit the person taking them. The process of ingredients being approved for use in supplements takes a long time because of the tests that have to be passed by the ingredient.
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As well as only using ingredients that are approved for use, your supplement ingredients should be sourced from reputable suppliers who provide detailed paperwork on the source and process used to create the ingredient. Speak with your manufacturer about their sources. A good manufacturer like G&G will be able to provide you with information on the source of the ingredients and will not work with ingredients that aren’t permitted for use.
While Novel foods are extremely important in supplement manufacture, the majority of the public don’t know what they are. Your customers will be putting their trust in you and your brand that the ingredients used are safe and legitimate. It is your responsibility to ensure that their trust is not misplaced.
Innovation and Trends
In the past year there have been approvals for specific types of insect as novel food. These approvals were for both normal food products and for food supplements. While the full potential of insect consumption is yet to be discovered, they have a short development cycle, rapid population growth and high nutritional value so they could be a strong contender in the supplement industry.
Insects are only one example of a novel food which shows potential, but risks should also be considered. As with any other ingredient you use, assessing the value that it brings to your product, along with how you will market the supplement are key factors in whether you decide to use it. In the western world, the idea of consuming insects is still an unpopular one. This means such a supplement could pose challenges for your marketing department.
Future Outlook
As more ingredients are investigated and discovered the list of novel foods will get longer. The amount of ingredients that have been approved for use in supplements will also grow. This means that brands will have more approved ingredients that they can choose from.
Keep a close eye on the Novel Food Catalogue and supplement news to be aware of any changes in approval status. With this information you will be able to make informed choices on what ingredients to use in your supplement products.
Ask your manufacturer questions if you are unsure about any of the ingredients you would like to use. Here at G&G we are always happy to help in any way that we can.
Conclusion
Novel foods can be a complicated subject, but we hope that this guide has helped shed some light on them. When formulating your supplement, always check the Novel Food Catalogue in case any of your chosen ingredients are novel. Communicate with your manufacturer throughout the process and pay attention to details.
That covers one of the more complex and confusing topics in the regulations of supplement manufacture. Now that you have an understanding of Novel foods you are equipped to make decisions about ingredients of your own supplements. We look forward to seeing what you create.
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