Guidance on using the Register of Novel Foods

Introduction

Novel foods are foods which have not been widely consumed by people in the UK or European Union (EU) before 15 May 1997. Novel foods need to be authorised before they can be placed on the market in Great Britain (GB).

Novel foods register for Great Britain

This online register is for information purposes. It sets out the list of Novel Foods that are authorised and permitted for use in GB, and provides details for each on the:

• conditions of use
• labelling requirements
• date of authorisation
• relevant legislation

The register does not replace the legislative list of novel foods authorised in GB contained in retained Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470, (“2017/2470”) and subsequent amendments. This Regulation is the legal basis for the placing on the market and use of authorised novel foods. Any novel foods that were authorised prior to EU exit are retained in UK law and are included in the register.

Novel foods register for Northern Ireland

EU Food Law continues to apply in Northern Ireland, under the current terms of the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland. The novel status of a product in Northern Ireland is based on the European Commission determination and before being placed on the Northern Ireland market, novel foods must go through the EU authorisation processes.

Data protection for novel foods

Unless data protection measures limit the placement on the market of a novel food to a particular Food Business Operator (FBO), any FBO can sell an authorised novel food in accordance with the conditions set out in the register, which is based on the legislative list in 2017/2470. The register highlights where data protection is in place.

Further information and guidance on authorisation routes is available on our novel food authorisation guidance page.

Updates

The Novel Food Register will be updated to add any newly authorised Novel Foods and any amendments to existing products on the register.

Understanding the register fields

Each product entry on the register includes its name, along with the:

Authorised novel ID

A unique reference code for the product e.g., NOVEL-1

Definition/Description

Provides details of what the novel food is

Specification

Users should check the full product specification, this is available via the available link to the implementing regulations

Conditions under which the novel food may be used

Details of how the novel food can be used, that are covered in the authorisation, including maximum levels

Additional specific labelling requirements

Details of any additional labelling requirements of the novel food

Other requirements

e.g., data protection/confidentiality requests (this shows if data protection measures are in place)

Data Protection

Specifies whether data protection measures are applicable

Date of authorisation

Last updated

Link to legislation

Link to the implementing regulations legislation

Search

The register enables a free-text search of entries. Entries can also be filtered by authorised before/after timeframes, and sorted by:

• Unique code
• Last updated
• Substance name