Regulatory news and experts insights.

In January 2026, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods, and Food Allergens (NDA) endorsed a draft opinion on the safety of plant preparations containing berberine.

When a company develops a new ingredient, whether it is a concentrated plant extract, a biotech-derived ferment, a processed algae or a “functional” mushroom, one recurring question always arises: is a Novel Food procedure required before marketing the ingredient within the EU?  This question often emerges when the project is already well advanced: the formulation is nearly finalized, the marketing identity is ready, the first commercial discussions have started…

Lorsqu’on parle de nutrition, de compléments alimentaires ou d’ingrédients innovants, le mot “naturel” inspire immédiatement confiance. Mais est-ce qu’un ingrédient naturel est toujours sûr pour la consommation ? Spoiler alert : pas nécessairement. Et c’est justement ce que les scientifiques et les experts en sécurité alimentaire s’attachent à démontrer, preuve à l’appui.