European Commission targets faster novel food approvals under new Biotech Act

The European Commission is preparing to overhaul how novel foods are approved in the European Union, aiming to speed up the authorization process for products such as cell-based meat, precision-fermented ingredients, and insect-based flours. The plan, revealed in a draft document of the Life Sciences Strategy seen by Euractiv, is expected to be part of the upcoming Biotech Act, set for publication on 2 July 2025.

According to Euractiv, the draft states that the Commission will propose a Biotech Act designed “to make the EU regulatory system more conducive to biotech innovation in various sectors such as health and food; and will facilitate and accelerate the approval procedures for Novel Foods.”

Novel foods in the EU include any food products not “consumed significantly” before May 1997, covering a wide range from exotic imports to new production methods. But the current approval process has been criticized as lengthy and complex. Euractiv reports that the Commission considers this regulatory framework an obstacle that is “hindering uptake and competitiveness” in emerging sectors.

Among the technologies singled out in the draft is precision fermentation, which enables the production of proteins and enzymes identical to those found in animal-derived products such as eggs and dairy. The Commission reportedly plans to launch an annual Food Fermentation Conference to connect industry players and foster support for these “sustainable” technologies, Euractiv noted.

Despite the push for modernization, the proposals are expected to encounter resistance from certain EU member states. As Euractiv highlights, Hungary, Italy, France, and Austria have voiced strong opposition to novel foods, particularly cell-based meat, citing concerns over potential threats to Europe’s culinary heritage.

More than 200 novel foods are already authorized in the EU, with many more applications under review. Last summer, French company Gourmey submitted the bloc’s first-ever request to approve cultivated meat, focusing on foie gras. In January, Dutch firm Mosa Meat followed with an application for lab-grown beef fat, which is intended to improve the flavor and texture of plant-based steaks, according to Euractiv.

The Commission’s anticipated Biotech Act, coupled with revisions to the novel food regulation, could signal a potentially significant shift in how the EU approaches food innovation. Whether the proposed fast-tracking measures will win broad political support, however, remains an open question.