Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Process. Minutes of the 174th Meeting held on the 19th November 2025

These minutes are subject to confirmation by the Committee. 

Members are required to declare any personal interest in matters under discussion. Where Members have a particularly close association with any item, the Chairman will limit their involvement in the discussion. In cases where an item is to be discussed in their absence, a member may make a statement before leaving.

Minutes of the 174th meeting of the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes, held on the 19th of November at Broadway House, Victoria, London, as a hybrid meeting.

Attendance

Committee Chair

Dr Camilla Alexander-White

Committee Members

Dr Anton Alldrick

Dr Mark Berry

Professor Dimitris Charalampopoulos

Dr Meera Cush

Dr Cathrina Edwards

Professor Susan Fairweather-Tait

Professor Paul Fraser

Dr Andy Greenfield

Professor Gunter Kuhnle

Professor Paul Haggarty

Professor Wendy Harwood

Professor Huw D. Jones

Dr Ray Kemp

Dr Elizabeth Lund

Dr Lynn McIntyre

Professor Clare Mills

Dr Isabel Skypala

Prof Hans Verhagen

Professor Bruce Whitelaw

Apologies

Dr Sophie Foley

Peter Gregory - Representative Science Council

Assessor

Ms Arvind Thandi  - Head of Novel Foods Policy

Observers FSA

Helen Woods - Novel Food Policy

Jasmine Clayton - Novel Food Policy

Dr Francisco Matilla-Garcia - Regulated Products Risk Assessment

Dr Johann Trotter - Regulated Products Risk Assessment

Mrs Jodie Towns - Regulated Products Risk Assessment

Mr Dimitris Maimouliotis - Risk Assessor

Observers Devolved administration

Mr Jeremy Mills - Policy, FSA Wales

Katy Williams - Policy, FSA Wales

Colleen Sandison - Food Standards Scotland

Krystle Boss - Food Standards Scotland

Mr Lorcan Browne - Food Standards Scotland

Ms Rachel Gilbert - Policy, FSA Northern Ireland

Secretariat

Mrs Ruth  Willis - Technical Secretary

Dr Emily Davies - Science Secretariat & Acting ACNFP Lead Secretariat

Mr Ben Haynes - Science Secretariat

Mr Matt Hall - Science Secretariat

Mrs Afielia Choudhry - Science Secretariat

Mr Will Smith - Science Secretariat

Dr Lucy Thursfield - Science Secretariat

Mr Nathan Allen - Science Secretariat

Miss Victoria Balch - Administrative Secretariat

1. Apologies and Announcements

Apologies were received from Professor Sophie Foley. Apologies were also received from Peter Gregory as Representative Science Council Member.

The Chair gave her apologies that she was unable to attend the discussions for one of the items on the agenda, Fermotein RP1215 (ACNFP 174/05), due to a meeting clash. Professor Paul Haggarty kindly agreed to deputise as Chair for this item only.

The Chair announced that it was Dr Mark Berry’s final meeting as a member of the ACNFP as he is retiring from the Committee. He was thanked for his contribution to the Committee’s work over the years, particularly his insights into the real-world production of novel foods.

The Chair reminded Members of the need to announce any potential conflicts of interests prior to the discussions of each item. Professor Hans Verhagen declared potential conflicts of interest in relation to applications items RP1326, RP1637 and RP1215, and agreed to leave the meeting for the discussion of these items.

2. Welcome

The Chair welcomed the Members, representatives from the FSA, the observers from the devolved administrations and the Secretariat team. The Chair welcomed the policy lead acting as FSA assessor for the Novel Food items on the agenda.

3. Meeting Minutes for the 173rd Meeting

ACNFP/173/MINS

The Committee agreed the 173^rd meeting draft minutes for publication on the ACNFP website subject to minor amendments and Chair’s action.

4. Matters Arising from the last meeting

ACNFP/173/MA

The Secretariat reported on actions from the 173rd meeting:

• Urolithin A RP1777 – The Committee reviewed this application for the first time. Following Members’ advice, the Secretariat sought further information from the applicant to address questions on identity, production process, composition and stability, specifications, ADME and toxicology. The response, once received, will be shared at the next available meeting.
• CBD RP47 and RP46 (reserved business) – The Committee reviewed these two separate CBD applications for the first time. Following Members’ advice, the Secretariat sought further information from the applicant to address questions on toxicology.  The responses will inform handling for these dossiers.
• CBD RP225 – The Committee reviewed the application for the first time and members were content with the assessment. The assessment is expected to be published in November. 
• Introduction to Group C CBD applications – The Committee was provided with an overview of Group C CBD applications, including risk assessment approaches and data requirements. The Secretariat noted the feedback provided by Members, and this will inform the management of individual applications as they are brought for Committee review.
• Workshop on Cell Cultivated Products (CCP) (reserved business) – the Committee was presented with a draft supplementary FSA applicant guidance document developed by the FSA Sandbox Team. The developed section of the guidance covered the nutrition and allergenicity assessments for CCPs. With thanks to members who supported the further development of the guidance. The Committee’s feedback has been incorporated into the draft FSA owned guidance document which has now entered the publication process.
• Clostridium tyrobutyricum ‘Clostridium Protein’ RP1920 – The Committee reviewed this application for the first time. Following Members’ advice, the Secretariat sought further information from the applicant to address questions on identity, production process, composition and stability, specifications, proposed uses and anticipated Intake, ADME, nutrition and allergenicity. The response, once received, will be shared at the next available meeting.
• Lyso-phosphatidylcholine (LPC)-rich oil from Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) RP2181 – The Committee reviewed this application for the first time. Following Members’ advice, the Secretariat sought further information from the applicant to address questions on composition, specifications, ADME and toxicology. The response, once received, will be shared at the next available meeting.
• GMB151 x DAS-44406-6 soybean RP2246 (reserved business) – This GM assessment was finalised following a detailed review by the PGT-Subcommittee. The CAD is being finalised and will be published shortly.
• Members had previously inputted in the Committee Advice Documents for applications associated with applications from the ACI consortium for products with 98% or greater purity CBD. Following advice, the template has been refined. This did not change the outcome of the assessment but better reflected the relationship between ACI and the applicant in relation to the toxicology data. The template was cleared by Chair’s action. The revised version is expected to be shared with members in advance of the first batch of inconclusive assessments to be published.

5. β-lactoglobulin RP1571

ACNFP/174/03

An application for beta-lactoglobulin as an ingredient in a diverse range of foods was reviewed for a second time. The Secretariat provided Members with an updated draft Committee Advice Document to support the Committee’s review. The review identified several areas that required further information from the applicant to complete the assessment.

The Committee noted that the protein content and BLG content of the novel food are specified at >88% and >90%, respectively. Further information on the unidentified protein components in the novel food should be sought. Clarification is also sought on data provided by the applicant concerning the purity of BLG in different production batches of novel food.

The Committee recommended clarification was needed with respect to the source of arsenic present in the novel food, as well as a more detailed explanation on the sterile filtration step in the novel food production process and further information concerning the steps taken by the applicant when batches of novel food fail to meet the specification criteria.

Members noted that the novel food is intended to be used in a range of food products by consumers who cannot or choose not to consume animal and/or milk products. The expected intakes of BLG are likely to exceed the corresponding intakes where these same products use milk (powder) as an ingredient. The applicant is asked is clarify the risk of an allergic reaction in consumers of the novel food with a clinically relevant allergy to milk.

Action: The Secretariat to seek further information from the applicant and update the draft Committee Advice Document.

6. Solein RP1326

ACNFP/174/04

An application for the heat inactivated Xanthobacter sp. SoF1 cells as an ingredient in a range of foods was reviewed for a second time. The Secretariat provided Members with an updated draft Committee Advice Document to support the Committee’s review. The review identified several areas that required further information from the applicant to complete the assessment.

The Committee suggested clarification was needed on the content of pigments in the novel food. Further information was also sought on the role of the exopolysaccharides produced by Xanthobacter sp. SoF1 cells.

Members reviewed the updated information for the production process. Further clarification on the monitoring steps utilised during the cultivation of the bacterial cells and the heat inactivation process were identified as being required.

The Committee remarked on the content of specific trace elements in the final novel food. Since these elements are present in the culture medium, justification from the applicant was sought on how it will be ensured that the levels of these elements in the novel food will not pose a concern for consumers as the novel food will be consumed.

Members sought clarification from the applicant regarding the intake levels of the novel food in consumers who avoid gluten and lactose in their diet. Comments are also sought concerning vegan consumers given the protein quality of the novel food. Furthermore, clarification is needed on the analytical data reported in the vitamin analysis of the novel food.

The Committee suggested the applicant review the proposed uses and maximum use levels for the novel food given the low estimated margins of safety. The applicant is recommended to consider conducting a tolerability study in an appropriate population group as this represents a data gap in the safety assessment.

Action: The Secretariat to seek further information from the applicant and update the draft Committee Advice Document.

7. Fermotein RP1215

ACNFP/174/05

An application for Rhizomucor pusillis biomass (Fermotein^®), a protein and fibre ingredient for use in the general population, was reviewed for the third time. The Secretariat provided Members with a cover paper to support the Committee’s review. The review identified several areas that require further information from the applicant to complete the assessment.

The Committee reviewed the updated information provided on the production process, noting it had been scaled up from the original pilot plant. Further information was identified as needed on the changes made to the process, the controls implemented during production and whether the changes impacted the specification. An updated food safety management plan / HACCP plan would also be helpful to understand the impacts of the changes made to food safety.

Further detail on the heat inactivation step detailed in the response documentation was needed to verify the effectiveness of these measures.

Members reviewed the data provided on strain integrity and microbial controls. It was suggested additional information should be provided on the genetic stability of the production strain and the microbiological controls implemented throughout the process. 

Members discussed the updated data on the digestibility of the novel food. Clarification is needed on the differences observed in digestibility between forms considered in the study. Further information is also requested on the proposed food categories and the potential for nutritional disadvantage for vulnerable groups from the uses proposed.

Members reviewed the updated intended food categories. An assessment of the intake of RNA in the general population from the proposed uses was suggested. This would support understanding whether the measures to manage RNA content were effective.

Action: The Secretariat to seek further information from the applicant and update the draft Committee Advice Document.

8. Fusarium sp. str. flavolapis RP1637

ACNFP/174/02

An application for the heat inactivated Fusarium str. flavolapis as an ingredient in a range of foods was reviewed for a second time. The Secretariat provided Members with an updated draft Committee Advice Document to support the Committee’s review. The review identified several areas that required further information from the applicant to complete the assessment.

The Committee sought clarification on the scientific name of the microorganism to ensure the identity was appropriately verified.

Members reviewed the updated information for the production process. Data on the genetic stability of the microorganism from working stock batches was suggested to be needed to ensure a consistency in the process.

The Committee considered the proposed uses of the novel food and noted that further processing may be necessary for some finished products. Further details on these manufacturing steps were needed.

Members reviewed the literature survey regarding anti-nutrients and secondary metabolites in Fusarium sp. Analytical data is requested to clarify the levels of certain substances in the Fusarium str. flavolapis and any impact on health.

The Committee discussed the findings from the 90-day feeding study and identified a provisional NOAEL for the novel food. To further support this review, Members are seeking further data and comments on the potential adverse findings in the study report.   

Action: The Secretariat to seek further information from the applicant and update the draft Committee Advice Document.

9. Items for Information

9.1 Novel Food Policy Update - Written

The Committee was provided with a written update on the issues under consideration regarding novel foods.

9.2 GM Policy Update - Written

The Committee was provided with an written update on the issues under consideration regarding GM.

9.3 SACS Update - Written

The Committee was provided with a written update on the activities of the different SACs.

9.4 Decision Panel Update - Written

The Committee was provided with a written update on the activities of the Decision Panel.

10. Any other business

Members of the Committee questioned whether it was acceptable to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to assist the Committee in their work, for example, in summarising lengthy studies. The Secretariat advised that there is currently no formal guidance on use of AI by SACs, but that a formal, government-wide report in due to be published in 2026.

Member views were sought on the approach to bringing returning dossiers to the Committee to support a timely and robust review. The suggestions made will be implemented in future papers.

Date of next meeting

The next ACNFP meeting will be held as a 2-day hybrid meeting on the 11^th and 12^th of February 2026, in London and online.