EFSA support for novel/traditional food applications by SMEs

Call for expressions of interest targeting SME–Novel Food potential applicants interested in receiving EFSA’s advice

Update

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is calling for expressions of interest by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who are preparing or at the early stages of planning to request an EU authorisation of a novel or traditional food. This service aims to help SMEs understand the EU’s novel/traditional food requirements and prepare their application. SMEs with no or limited experience in submitting novel/traditional food applications can request support. Interested SMEs should complete a form describing the novel/traditional food, and the type of support they would require, by 31 October 2024.

What is changing?

Foods that were not on the EU market before May 1997 must be authorised before being placed on the EU market. This includes “traditional foods” that have historically been consumed in non-EU countries, but were not on the market before May 1997. See Novel foods explained.

EFSA is offering support to SMEs (defined as businesses with <250 employees, an annual turnover <€50 million, and/or an annual balance sheet <€43 million) who are preparing or considering applying for an EU authorisation for a novel/traditional food in the coming months or years. This service is aimed at companies with no or limited experience in submitting novel food applications. It is relevant for companies that are still working on the development of a product and still have few or no studies supporting the application (“early briefing meetings”), and also for companies whose applications are almost complete (“pre-submission meetings”).

Interested SMEs can submit a form describing the novel/traditional food that they are working on. The information provided will be rapidly reviewed and any early briefing or pre-submission meetings will be held online, probably before the end of 2024.

Why?

EFSA wishes to raise awareness of its novel/traditional food procedures and General Pre-Submission Advice service.

Timeline

SMEs interested in receiving support from EFSA on preparing or completing novel/traditional food applications should submit an expression of interest form before 31 October 2024.

Background

Companies preparing novel/traditional food applications can approach EFSA for general pre-submission advice through EFSA’s General Pre-Submission Advice service at any time before submitting an application. This call for expressions of interest focuses on two specific stages: the very early stage of development of a novel food; and the final stages of preparing an application.

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