| Summary: |
This document is the Food Standards Agencys consultation on the European Commissions proposed changes to regulation of novel foods (current regulation 258/97). The document contains a cost/benefit analysis to businesses and enforcement agencies, finding the overall benefit greater than the cost. The document outlines the benefits to be gained from the legislation: a) streamlined procedures for assessing and authorizing novel foods; b) simplified safety assessment for non-EU countries marketing traditional food with an established safety record; c) clarification of the definition of novel foods and the scope of the regulation; and d) 5-year data protection for original applicants who have made substantial investment in procuring safety data for their product. Foods and processes developed with nanotechnology will be added to the definition of novel foods so as to be included within the scope of the regulation. The document includes an EU annex providing background information on the regulation, criteria for safety assessment, and number of applications since its adoption. The document also includes the following short annexes on specific impacts: competition assessment, small firms test, sustainable development, and race/gender/disability equality issues. The document includes a list of interest parties. A summary of responses to this consult document is available on the FSA website: http://www.food.gov.uk/consultations/consulteng/2008/novelec08eng. |