Following the publication of the IPIFF package, IPIFF President Antoine Hubert stated: ‘these guideline documents should help insect producers to identify most relevant information to include in their application, as well as to conform with the administrative steps foreseen by the new legislation’.
The above package is composed of 4 documents:
• Summary guidelines, which outline the different administrative steps to be followed by insect producers intending to submit a novel food application;
• A briefing legal paper containing an in-depth analysis of the provisions of the ‘new’ novel food legislation that are relevant for insect producers;
• A scientific report outlining approaches to addressing data requirements for novel food applications;
• A database of publicly available studies that are relevant to the safety of insects for human consumption.
The Chair of the IPIFF Novel Food Task Force, Mr Lars Henrick Lau-Heckmann added: We trust that the scientific report contained in this package can complement the specific recommendations of the recently published EFSA Guidance document (10 November 2016) that apply to insect-based products intended for human consumption. On the other hand, the abovementioned legal briefing paper outlines today’s possibilities for commercializing insect-based products in the different countries of the European Union, under the transitional measure foreseen in the new legislation’.
Generally speaking, IPIFF warmly welcomes the introduction of the new EU legislation on novel foods: IPIFF consider that’s this new piece of legislation should pave the way for the wider use of insects as food in Europe. Several applications, originating from IPIFF members companies have already been submitted for approval since the application of the new legislation on 1st January 2018.
Looking ahead, the Chair of the IPIFF Novel Food Task Force, Mr Lars Henrick Lau-Heckmann concluded: ‘IPIFF is eager to further accompany companies who seek advice in the preparation of novel food applications, including in the case of joint applications.'
Other relevant information
Prepared in collaboration with external legal and scientific experts, the IPIFF package of guideline documents will be officially presented at a Workshop organized in Madrid on 29 May.
Most of these documents are available on the IPIFF website on the following page http://ipiff.org/ . The documents which are not published on this page may be requested to the IPIFF Secretariat- (see contact below)
