Novel foods: Why the EU approval process • Table.Briefings

Last year, the EU approved mealworms for consumption – they are considered a novel food.

EU approval for novel foods is considered the gold standard for the international market. Nevertheless, domestic companies repeatedly decide to register innovations elsewhere. Two problems deter start-ups in particular.

Last summer, the Hamburg-based food tech start-up BLUU Seafood had good news to report: The company was seeking market approval for fish sticks and fish balls made from cell cultures. The catch: the German company has only applied for approval in the USA and Singapore, with the EU to follow later.

Novel foods: Why the EU approval process discourages start-ups

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