IPIFF is launching today the updated ‘Briefing paper on the provisions relevant to the commercialisation of insect-based products intended for human consumption in the EU‘ (hereinafter ‘Briefing paper‘) – a document which has already been published by IPIFF in May 2018.
This Briefing paper – which has served as reference for numerous active and prospective Food Business Operators (FBOs) in the field of edible insects – now includes up-to-date information on the latest developments since the entry into force of the Regulation 2015/2283, as well as lessons learnt after the submission of the first novel food applications and their ongoing assessment .
Notably, this updated document goes one step forward, elaborating on the procedures related to the authorisation of a novel food (namely the implementation of the transitional measure after January 2020), but also on the role of the European authority in charge of risk assessment throughout the food chain – the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Furthermore, it also addresses potential scenarios for FBOs during the transitional period, the proceedings in the ‘Entoma’ case which will now involve the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) and steps following the authorisation of a novel food application (data protected/non-data protected).
To this end, the Briefing paper includes up-to-date information on the EFSA Administrative Guidance, improving the overall understanding of current and prospective applicants with regards to the criteria necessary for a comprehensive application (the completeness checklist has to be fulfilled) and the factors which could influence the estimated timeframe – such as the ‘stop-the-clock’ procedure.
Anticipating the timeframe, the first authorisations for insects as novel food in the European Union are expected in 2020.