FEDERICA PUCCINI
Deltha Pharma Medical Area, Rome, Italy

Abstract

Technological innovation also concerns the field of nutrition, in search of foods and nutritional sources that can meet the growing global demand, adapt to ever-faster climate changes, optimize quality and safety. Furthermore, with globalization, products linked to distant cultures and traditions are available, such as Chinese insects, which, however, can find a place in new markets. In Europe they are the so-called Novel Food, defined as “unknown products before 1997”. Legislation had to adapt to assess and ensure that safety and quality standards were first and foremost respected. We describe the case of Novel Food Ajuga reptans, a plant common in Europe but today cultivated in an innovative way to obtain the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant teupolioside.

The increase in the world population, the consumption of natural resources, the possibility of knowing distant social realities, has led, out of need and curiosity, to broaden the vision on new sustainable food sources and new production methods.

Thus the concept of ​​Novel Foods was born, together with the need to verify and regulate their consumption on the basis of their safety.
Novel Foods or “new foods” are defined as those ingredients and products for which it is not demonstrable within the European Union (EU) a significant consumption on the tables before 15th May 1997, the date on which the Regulation (EC) 258/97, which governs their presence on the market, came into effect (1-4).

“Any food and food ingredient not yet used to a significant extent for human consumption in the European Union before 15th May 1997”.

This regulation is based on the principle of consumer protection and establishes that marketing must be endorsed by EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) after an authorization procedure that verifies:

• Non-toxicity or any maximum intake thresholds
• Co ...
...