Glossary · Regulation
Novel food
In short
In the EU, a novel food is a food or ingredient that was not consumed to a significant degree before 15 May 1997. It may only be sold once it has been added to the Union list after a safety assessment.
The rules are set out in Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The food safety authority EFSA assesses safety, and the European Commission decides on authorization and sets conditions such as levels of use, target groups or labelling.
The key point for interpretation: the novel food assessment only asks whether something is safe, not whether it works. Inclusion in the Union list is therefore no proof of efficacy. If a substance is not listed, it may not be placed on the market as a food — even if it is offered online.
Novel food authorization means “safe enough to sell”, not “effective”.
Where this comes up in the fact checks
- NMN – EFSA assesses only safety here, not efficacy; the decision of the European Commission is pending.
- Nicotinamide riboside – Authorized in the EU as a novel food since 2020 — for blood glucose, body composition and blood pressure, most studies showed no effect.
- Spermidine – Wheat germ extract with a high spermidine content is on the Union list as a novel food.
Sources
Related terms: Health claim · Marketing authorization (EMA, FDA, BfArM) · Gray market
Information only, not medical advice. The BK-Score is a subjective assessment according to disclosed rules – not a scientific evaluation. Scoring rules