Traditional Food Consultations

As part of the assessment of traditional foods from third countries under the Novel Food Regulation, Member States have four months to assess the information in the notification and identify if there are safety issues that need to be explored further. In the UK, the ACNFP supports the FSA in reviewing these applications and developing risk assessment advice for the FSA.

In line with the FSA’s commitment to transparency and openness, the ACNFP’s proposed advice is summarised and subject to a 10-day consultation.  This allows the Committee to gain information on whether there are further issues to be considered or experience of using the food, that should be taken into account before the assessment is finalised. During the consultation period comments on the Committee’s advice as outlined in the summary can be sent to: acnfp@food.gov.uk

Active Traditional Food Consultations

Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) verdc.)

Views wanted on the traditional use and safety of Bambara Groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) verdc.) as a novel food by 12th July 2025.

The Advisory Committee for Novel Food and Processes (ACNFP) has reviewed a notification under the Novel Food Regulation from a company seeking authorisation of their product in Great Britain (GB). The ACNFP has completed the safety assessment of the traditional food, in the form of a summary. The ACNFP is seeking public comments on the summary to finalise its view.

The application is for Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) verdc.). The product is intended to be consumed as dried whole seeds (hulled and deshelled) and flour processed from cooked dried whole seeds, with the general population as the target population. The notification relates to a food traditionally consumed in countries outside of the GB but not previously eaten in GB or Europe.

This notification is seeking authorisation under the traditional food process of the Novel Food Regulation. This process considers if there are safety concerns with the product that require further review before it enters the market, based on the evidence provided by the applicant. In GB, assessment is undertaken by the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP), an independent committee of scientists appointed by the FSA. Their views are used to inform the GB position on the notification. If concerns are raised, a further assessment is undertaken before it is placed on the market.

Views are requested from members of the public on the ACNFP’s draft summary of their view, particularly on whether there are additional considerations that the Committee should be aware of in finalising their summary. The views from members of the public will further inform the Committee’s consideration of the notification before the ACNFP summary is finalised.

Further details of this application and the summary of the Committee’s view can be found on the ACNFP webpages at the links below.

Traditional Food Summaries | Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes