Morning, Thursday, 27th November 2025
Online
This conference will examine next steps for novel foods policy in the UK, with a focus on innovation, regulatory reform, enhancing public confidence, and routes to market.
Policy, regulation & authorisation processes
It will bring together key stakeholders and policymakers to discuss the changing regulatory environment, including the FSA’s Regulated Products Reform Programme and the introduction of the regulatory sandbox designed to support approval of cultivated products.
Sessions will examine recent developments in the authorisation process, including the transition to a public register, as well as key considerations for the public consultation on CBD food product authorisation, looking at implications of these changes for approaches to transparency, evidentiary requirements, and practical implementation.
Funding, innovation & bringing new products to market
Delegates will discuss the potential impact of increased regulatory and R&D funding under the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy, alongside the establishment of the Novel Foods Expert Network, grants for gene-edited food research, and the new FSA innovation hub to develop and expand specialist expertise in regulating innovative technologies.
Attendees will consider what will be needed from established and developing support structures, infrastructure, and guidance to support the ability of businesses - including SMEs - to bring new products to market. The conference follows the launch of the FSA and FSS’s Market Authorisation Innovation Research Programme, which includes a new guidance hub and Business Support Service pilot for precision fermentation products.
International coordination
Issues relating to the alignment of UK regulatory frameworks with international counterparts will be assessed, including in the context of UK-EU cooperation, following announced commitment to a new Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement, and potential implications for safety standards and compliance processes.
Consumer engagement
Attendees will also look at wider stakeholder concerns around labelling, consumer confidence, and public response, including how awareness of production methods and health considerations could be improved, and implications for how products are presented and communicated. We expect sessions to consider responsibilities and what is needed moving forward across regulation, government and stakeholder groups in earning consumer trust and supporting uptake, alongside practical considerations for distribution, sourcing, and the integration of novel foods into existing supply and retail models.
Overview of areas for discussion
- authorisation reform: implications of the updated market authorisation process and public register - removal of 10-year renewal requirements - faster approvals alongside regulatory confidence
- regulatory sandbox: early activity in the FSA’s sandbox for cell-cultivated products - clarity and accessibility of guidance - options for adapting the model to other novel food categories
- regulator roles:
- considerations for the FSA, FSS, and the RIO - clarity on roles across departments and agencies
- coordination between innovation support and public health oversight, including the FSA’s new Innovation and Regulation Plan
- CBD authorisation: status of upcoming ministerial decisions on CBD novel foods - wider implications for future product categories - role of advisory committees and stakeholder input
- international alignment: prospects for mutual recognition or equivalence agreements - EU relationship, including SPS discussions - implications for trade, competitiveness, and investment
- sector access: removal of barriers for SMEs and start-ups entering the novel foods space - support needs for R&D, infrastructure, and guidance - investment conditions and business readiness
- supply chain readiness: sourcing, manufacturing, and logistics - options for integrating novel foods into existing retail and food service networks - pressures on ingredients and distribution
- public engagement:
- supporting consumer trust - clear and accessible information - priorities for government, industry, and third parties
- labelling, standards, and assurance schemes - health metrics applied for novel or ultra-processed products
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. As well as key stakeholders, those already due to attend include officials from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, NI; Department for Business and Trade; Department of Health and Social Care; Food Standards Agency; Food Standards Scotland; Department of Health, ROI; the Welsh Government; and The Scottish Government.
