Novel food

Novel food is defined as a type of food that does not have a significant history of consumption or is produced by a method that has not previously been used for food. Novel food is defined as a type of food that does not have a significant history of consumption or is produced by a method that has not previously been used for food. Designer food is a type of novel food that has not existed on any regional or global consumer market before. Instead it has been 'designed' using biotechnological / bioengineering methods (e.g. genetically modified food) or 'enhanced' using engineered additives. Examples like designer egg, designer milk, designer grains, probiotics, and enrichment with micro- and macronutrients and designer proteins have been cited. The enhancement process is called food fortification or nutrification. Designer novel food often comes with—sometimes unproven—health claims ('superfoods'). Designer food must be distinguished from food design, the aesthetic arrangement of food items for marketing purposes. Novel foods or novel food ingredients have no history of 'significant' consumption in the European Union prior to 15 May 1997. Any food or food ingredient that falls within this definition must be authorised according to the Novel Food legislation, Regulation (EC) No 258/97 of the European Parliament and of the Council. Applicants can consult the guidance document compiled by the European Commission, which highlights the scientific information and the safety assessment report required in each case.