The definitions of what can and cannot be considered a novel food, and the ambiguities of the procedures by which novel foods dossiers are assessed have been the focus of much criticism in the EU.

 

With the development of specific legislation for GM foods (a category previously included under Novel Foods), the time has come to reassess those new foods that do not fall within the GM category.

With this aim, the European Commission drafted a Discussion Paper on Novel Foods  in 2002.

ERNA's response to  this discussion paper covers the following points:

• Member State approach to novel food dossiers
• Transparency
• Significant consumption
• Production Processes