EU insect platform publishes novel food guidelines

29 May 2018 --- The European umbrella organization representing the interests of the Insect Production sector for Food and Feed (IPIFF) has published a package of guideline documents aiming to assist insect producers in preparing novel food applications. Under the new EU novel food legislation (i.e., Regulation 2015/2283), insects intended for human consumption in Europe must indeed be authorized by the EU institutions, by an application dossier prepared by the producers.

Following the publication of the IPIFF package, IPIFF President Antoine Hubert states: “These guideline documents should help insect producers to identify most relevant information to include in their application, as well as to conform with the administrative steps foreseen by the new legislation.”

The package is composed of 4 documents:
• Summary guidelines, which outline the different administrative steps to be followed by insect producers intending to submit a novel food application; 
• A legal briefing paper containing an in-depth analysis of the provisions of the ‘new’ novel food legislation that is relevant for insect producers; 
• A scientific report outlining approaches to addressing data requirements for novel food applications; 
• A database of publicly available studies that are relevant to the safety of insects for human consumption. 
 
The Chair of the IPIFF Novel Food Task Force, Lars Henrick Lau-Heckmann adds: “We trust that the scientific report contained in this package can complement the specific recommendations of the recently published EFSA Guidance document (10 November 2016) that apply to insect-based products intended for human consumption. On the other hand, the abovementioned legal briefing paper outlines today’s possibilities for commercializing insect-based products in the different countries of the European Union, under the transitional measure is foreseen in the new legislation.” 
 
Generally speaking, IPIFF welcomes the introduction of the new EU legislation on novel foods. IPIFF consider that’s this new piece of legislation should pave the way for the wider use of insects as food in Europe. Several applications, originating from IPIFF members companies have already been submitted for approval since the application of the new legislation on 1st January 2018.

Looking ahead, Lau-Heckmann concludes: “IPIFF is eager to accompany further companies who seek advice in the preparation of novel food applications, including in the case of joint applications.”