The Regulating the Future of Food conference returns to Amsterdam this October

The Regulating the Future of Food Conference is set to return to RAI Amsterdam on 29 and 30 October 2025, once again co-located with the Future of Protein Production Conference. Now in its third edition (after Barcelona in 2023 and Amsterdam in 2024), the two-day event will bring together leading voices in regulation, science, and food-tech to address how the global regulatory landscape must evolve to keep pace with innovation.

Hosted by Atova Regulatory Consulting in collaboration with Vireo Advisors, the event aims to create space for frank discussion around the regulatory challenges facing developers of novel foods – from cultivated meat and precision fermentation to other emerging food-tech formats. With a packed agenda of expert talks, panel discussions, and technical workshops, the conference is designed for both regulators and industry stakeholders working to navigate increasingly complex approval processes.

“We’re excited to bring this event back to Amsterdam,” commented Hannah Lester, CEO & Principal Consultant at Atova. “There’s a growing need for collaborative, science-led conversations about how we regulate new food technologies. This conference is about creating that platform – not just to talk, but to identify what’s missing, what needs to change, and how we move forward together.”

This year’s program will include speakers from regulatory bodies such as the European Commission, EFSA, the UK Food Standards Agency, and representatives from industry who have experience navigating novel food submissions across multiple markets. Sessions will explore emerging regulatory trends, recent updates in risk assessment, and how companies can better prepare for global submissions.

Key highlights include a joint regulatory session with The Future of Protein Production Conference, and two interactive workshop tracks. One track will focus on the safety of cultivated meat, while the second will address precision fermentation and fermentation-based products. Other workshops will look at regulatory strategy and effective narrative-building for policy engagement.

Lester noted the conference’s ambition to go beyond information-sharing and help shape tangible next steps. “Our goal is to leave with concrete outputs – whether that’s clear action points, new proposals, or just better alignment between stakeholders. We want this to be more than another event; we want it to be a catalyst.”

In addition to expert talks and panels, the agenda includes structured networking sessions and open Q&A forums designed to encourage honest discussion around bottlenecks, scientific uncertainties, and what industry truly needs from regulators. A panel on lessons learned from companies navigating UK and EU approval pathways is also expected to draw attention, as timelines and regulatory clarity remain top concerns for developers across the alternative protein space.

The decision to once again co-locate the event with The Future of Protein Production Conference reflects the shared momentum – and shared challenges – between the two communities. “Innovation in food-tech and protein production is moving at an incredible pace,” said Lester. “We’re seeing phenomenal products and processes that have the potential to change food systems for the better. But regulation needs to keep up. That’s what this conference is about – making sure it can.”

Tickets for the Regulating the Future of Food Conference are now on sale, with a FPP Amsterdam 2025. Attendees are encouraged to register early to take advantage of the discounted rate before prices increase.