EU Novel Foods List Correction 2026: What Food Companies Must Verify

Key data

If your company manufactures, imports or distributes products classified as "novel foods" in the EU, this correction affects you directly. The European Commission published on 7 September 2026 a correction to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1023, which in turn amended Regulation (EU) 2017/2470, the text that establishes the official list of novel foods authorized in the European Union. Although this is a technical correction, its effects are very concrete: denominations, specifications or conditions of use of already authorized products may change.

What does this regulation establish?

Regulation (EU) 2017/2470 is the base text that contains the Union list of novel foods authorized for commercialization. A "novel food" is understood to be any food that was not consumed in significant quantities in the EU before May 1997. This category includes:

• Insects and insect-derived products
• Algae and microalgae
• Novel plant extracts
• Foods produced using new processing technologies

In 2018, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1023 introduced a first correction to that list. The correction published now on 7 September 2026 in turn adjusts formal or content errors detected in that previous correction.

The changes introduced may affect the authorization conditions, the official denominations or the technical specifications of certain products included in the list. These are not new authorizations or product withdrawals: it is a correction of errors in already published texts, but with direct legal effects on what is permitted and under what conditions.

Economic and operational impact

A technical correction to the novel foods list may seem minor, but its operational consequences are real and concrete for affected companies:

• Labeling and denomination: If the correction modifies the official denomination of a product, the company must update labels, technical sheets and commercial documentation.
• Product specifications: A change in authorized specifications (composition, maximum dose, conditions of use) may require reformulating the product or restricting its use in certain food categories.
• Commercialization in the EU: Commercializing a novel food outside current specifications means non-compliance with European food safety regulations, with the consequent risk of market withdrawal or border blockage for importers.
• Audits and certifications: Companies with quality certifications or operating under distribution contracts with major retailers will need to update their compliance documentation.

The actual cost depends on the scope of changes introduced for each specific product. The immediate priority is to identify whether any of the products in your portfolio are listed in the authorizations affected by this correction.

Who does it affect?

• Food manufacturers using ingredients classified as novel foods (insects, algae, novel plant extracts, etc.)
• Importers of novel foods from third countries for distribution in the EU
• Distributors and food chain operators commercializing products under Regulation (EU) 2017/2470 authorizations
• Nutritional supplement and functional food companies that include next-generation ingredients
• Regulatory advisors and regulatory affairs departments in the food sector
• Quality and labeling managers in food companies

Practical example

Imagine a Spanish company that manufactures protein bars using cricket flour (Acheta domesticus), an insect authorized as a novel food in the EU. Its commercialization authorization is based on the specifications contained in Regulation (EU) 2017/2470 and its subsequent amendments.

With the publication of this technical correction on 7 September 2026, the company must verify whether the official denomination or use specifications of cricket flour have been subject to any adjustment. If, for example, the correction modifies the maximum permitted use level in bakery and cereal products, the company would have to review the formulation of its bars and update the technical documentation before continuing to commercialize the product in the European market. Failure to do so could result in problems during border controls or market inspections.

What should companies do now?

1. Consult the official published text: Access the full text of the correction on EUR-Lex (OJ:L_202690754) and identify which specific entries in the novel foods list have been modified.
2. Cross-reference with your product portfolio: Check whether any of the ingredients or products you commercialize are included in the entries affected by the correction.
3. Review denominations and specifications: If there are changes in official denominations or technical specifications, update product sheets, labels and regulatory documentation.
4. Inform the supply chain: Communicate relevant changes to suppliers, customers and distributors operating with the same products in the European market.
5. Update compliance documentation: If your company has quality certifications or contracts that reference specific list specifications, update those documents to reflect current conditions.
6. Consult with a regulatory advisor: If you have any doubt about whether a technical change affects the commercialization of a specific product, consult with a specialist in European food regulations before making decisions.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202690754