New foods represent a rapidly evolving area with food and beverage processing. As a result, many have questions about what New Food production entails and how it will impact the market in the years to come. On this page, we have tried to address some of the most common questions in the New Food space.
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Broadly speaking, New Foods (in some cases classified as novel foods) are exactly that: ingredients and products that have not previously been consumed as foods or beverages. The term can also apply to existing dishes and ingredients that are produced through innovative new processes or technologies, as well as food items that have an established history in one part of the world but are considered “new” somewhere else.
From a regulatory standpoint, the legal definition of what constitutes a “new” or “novel” food will vary from region to region (there is no "new foods" regulation, if a product or ingredient is not "novel" it will simply follow the usual food regulation of each country). Most novel food legislation focuses on ingredients, process or technologies that do not have an established history of safe use in food production in that particular jurisdiction. For businesses, manufacturers and retailers working in this space, it is important to know exactly what applies from your local authorities, as this can impact approval for introducing new products on the market.
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1: Carter, Michael and Madeline Cohen, Lucas Eastham, Daniel Gertner, Emma Ignaszewski, Dr. Adam Leman, Sharyn Murray, Maille O’Donnell, Ben Pierce, Sheila Voss. GFI (2023). Fermentation: Meat, seafood, eggs, and dairy. 2022 State of the industry report. https://gfi.org/resource/fermentation-state-of-the-industry-report/
2: Ibid.
3: Gyr, Audrey. GFI (2022). Fermentation: Meat, seafood, eggs, and dairy. 2021 State of the industry report. https://gfi.org/resource/fermentation-state-of-the-industry-report/
4: FAO (2018). Sustainable food systems: Concept and framework. https://www.fao.org/3/ca2079en/CA2079EN.pdf
5: Byrne, Jane. Feed Navigator (2020). Finnish team bringing dormant SCP production process back to life for use in fish feed. https://www.feednavigator.com/Article/2020/01/02/Team-bringing-dormant-SCP-production-process-back-to-life
6: Certified Vegan Standards, https://vegan.org/certification/
7: Good Food Institute, https://gfi.org/science/the-science-of-cultivated-meat/