On July 19, 2016, the European Commission approved UV-treated milk as a novel food under
Regulation (EC) No 258/97 of the European Parliament and of the
Council ("Novel Food Regulation"). Under the Novel Food
Regulation, any food that has not been consumed to a significant
degree by humans in the EU prior to 1997 is considered a
"Novel Food" and is subject to a prior authorization
before it can be sold in Europe. Novel Foods will be approved for
use in the EU only if they do not present a risk to public health,
are not nutritionally disadvantageous when replacing a similar
food, and are not misleading to the consumer. In addition, novel
foods must undergo a scientific assessment prior to authorization
to ensure their safety.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
