EU regulation on novel foods: Consequences for the food industry

After more than ten years of drafting, the European Union (EU) regulation ‘concerning novel foods and novel food ingredients’ enters into force on 15 May 1997. It will change fundamentally the manner in which innovative food products are introduced into the marketplace. In this article, we review the key aspects of the Novel Food Regulation and its consequences for industry and consumers, placing particular emphasis on genetically modified products. Finally, we discuss the impact this regulation will have on the way in which food safety assessments are performed.