The Novel Food Status Catalogue is a database maintained by the Commission containing information about the novel food status of different foods. The list includes foods whose novel food status has been discussed in the member states and for which operators have provided information to the member states. The Catalogue is not exhaustive, but is intended as a reference source of information on the history of consumption of the product. The absence of a food on the list does not indicate anything about its novel food status yet.
In the Novel Food Status Catalogue, products are classified according to the information known about their history of use into five different categories, marked with the icons below:
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Products known to have been used as food to a significant degree in the EU before 15 May 1997, i.e. which are not novel foods (e.g. goji berry, i.e. Lycium barbarum, or maca, i.e. Lepidium meyenii). |
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Products known to have been used in the EU as food supplements before 15 May 1997, i.e. which may be used in food supplements, but whose use in other foods requires a novel food authorisation (e.g. l-theanine from green tea or purple coneflower, i.e. Echinacea purpureae). |
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Products which have not been used to a significant degree as food in the EU before 15 May 1997 or for which a significant history of use is unknown and whose placing on the market requires a novel food authorisation (e.g. hoodia cactus, i.e. Hoodia gordonii, or turkey tail, i.e. Coriolus versicolor). |
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Products authorised as novel food, i.e. have been granted a novel food authorisation and have been included in the Union list established by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470. |
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Products for which the novel food status is unclear or for which a request for consultation has been made to determine the novel food status of a Member State in accordance with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/456. Novel food status determined following a consultation request is published on the Commission's website (https://ec.europa.eu/food/safety/novel_food/consultation-process_en). |
The classification is based on the discussions undertaken by the Novel Food Working Group appointed by the Commission, and on the information the Group had at its disposal at the time. The members of the Novel Food Working Group represent experts on novel foods from the various EU Member States. The classification of the products may change if new reliable information emerges on the history of their use.
Even in the case of products with a history of use for human consumption in some member country of the EU, the food business operator should take into account any national regulations that may restrict its use. For example, in some member country the product can be considered a medicine.