Novel Food Status Catalogue Updates
Below are the updates related to the new entries for the Novel Food Status Catalogue. These updates refer to the month of January 2026 and have impact on Food Supplements.
Crithmum maritimum L. (Sea fennel, Rock samphire)
• Leaves, stems and tender shoots: Not Novel in Food.
• Fruit: Unauthorised Novel Food. A pre-market authorisation is required before it can be put on the EU market.
• Update: Addition of precisions.
Turkesterone (chemically synthesised or extracted from Ajuga turkestanika)
• Whole: Unauthorised Novel Food. A pre-market authorisation is required before it can be put on the EU market.
• Update: New entry.
Ajuga turkestanika Rengel
• Whole: Unauthorised Novel Food. A pre-market authorisation is required before it can be put on the EU market.
• Update: New entry.
Cannabinoids
• The hemp plant (Cannabis sativa L.) contains a number of cannabinoids and the most common ones are as follows: delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), its precursor in hemp, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A (Δ9-THCA-A), delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid B (Δ9-THCA-B), delta-8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8-THC), cannabidiol (CBD), its precursor in hemp cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), cannabigerol (CBG), cannabinol (CBN), cannabichromene (CBC), and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabivarin (Δ9-THCV). Extracts of Cannabis sativa L. and derived products containing non-psychoactive cannabinoids are considered novel foods as a history of consumption has not been demonstrated. This applies to both the extracts themselves and any products to which they are added as an ingredient (such as hemp seed oil). This also applies to extracts of other plants containing cannabinoids. Synthetically obtained cannabinoids are considered as novel.
• Whole: Unauthorised Novel Food. A pre-market authorisation is required before it can be put on the EU market.
• Update: New entry.
Cannabidiol
• Whole: Unauthorised Novel Food. A pre-market authorisation is required before it can be put on the EU market.
• Update: New entry.
Lepidium meyenii Walp. (Maca, Peruvian ginseng)
• Tubers: Not Novel in Food.
• Update: Addition of precisions.
Hippophae rhamnoides L. (Sea buckthorn)
• Fruits (berries), leaves and flowers: Not Novel in Food.
• Seeds and seed oil: Not Novel in Food Supplements. Any other food uses may be considered as novel.
• Update: Addition of precisions.
Chelidonium majus L. (Greater celandine)
• Whole (all plant parts): Unauthorised Novel Food. A pre-market authorisation is required before it can be put on the EU market.
• Update: New entry.
Styphnolobium japonicum (L.) Schott (syn. Sophora japonica L.) (Pagoda tree)
• Young cooked leaf, flower, flower bud, seed decoction, and stem decoction: Not Novel in Food Supplements. Any other food uses may be considered as novel.
• Update: New entry.
Pterostilbene
• Pterostilbene (≥ 99%) isolated from the wood of Pterocarpus santalinus L.
• Substance: Unauthorised Novel Food. A pre-market authorisation is required before it can be put on the EU market.
• Update: New entry.
Pterocarpus santalinus L.f. (Red sandalwood)
• Wood: Not Novel in Food Supplements. Any other food uses may be considered as novel.
• Update: New entry.
Apigenin
• Apigenin (≥ 98%) isolated from the aerial parts of Matricaria chamomilla L.
• Substance: Unauthorised Novel Food. A pre-market authorisation is required before it can be put on the EU market.
• Update: New entry.
Matricaria chamomilla L. (Chamomile)
• Aerial parts: Not Novel in Food Supplements. Any other food uses may be considered as novel.
• Update: New entry.
Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino (Sweet tea vine)
• Leaf: Not Novel in Food Supplements. Any other food uses may be considered as novel.
• Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract (standardized to 80% gypenosides): Unauthorised Novel Food. A pre-market authorisation is required before it can be put on the EU market.
• Update: New entry.
Cycloastragenol
• Cycloastragenol (≥ 98%) isolated from the root of Astragalus membranaceus Fisch. ex Bunge.
• Substance: Unauthorised Novel Food. A pre-market authorisation is required before it can be put on the EU market.
• Update: New entry.
Astragalus mongholicus Bunge (syn. Astragalus membranaceus Fisch. ex Bunge) (Astragalus)
• Root and its alcoholic extracts, root extract ratio 2:1: Not Novel in Food Supplements. Any other food uses may be considered as novel.
• Update: New entry.
Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. (Gotu kola, Indian pennywort)
• Stem, flowers and leaves: Not Novel in Food.
• Centella asiatica extract (standardised to 40% triterpenes): Unauthorised Novel Food. A pre-market authorisation is required before it can be put on the EU market.
• Update: New entry.
Novel Food Consultations Updates
During the month of January 2026, there were no new entries or new outcomes for Novel Food Consultations.
End of Data Protection for 9 Novel Food Ingredients in 2026
Data protection can be granted for a period of 5 years when requested by the initial applicant. During this period, the proprietary scientific evidence submitted by the applicant cannot be used for subsequent applications without their consent.
After the five-year period, other food business operators will be able to market the Novel Food ingredient in the specified food categories, as long as they comply with the requirements outlined in the Union list of Authorised Novel Foods published by the European Commission.
In 2026, 9 Novel Food Ingredients will have their data protection expired:
• 6’-Sialyllactose (6’-SL) sodium salt (microbial source): Data protection will expire on 17 February 2026.
• 3′-Sialyllactose (3′-SL) sodium salt (microbial source): Data protection will expire on 18 February 2026.
• Schizochytrium sp. (WZU477) oil: Data protection will expire on 16 May 2026.
• Dried Tenebrio molitor larva (yellow mealworm): Data protection will expire in Summer, on 22 June 2026.
• Synsepalum dulcificum dried fruits: Data protection will expire by the end of the year, on 5 December 2026.
• Frozen, dried and powder forms of Locusta migratoria (migratory locust): Data protection will expire by the end of the year, on 5 December 2026.
• 3-Fucosyllactose (3-FL) (microbial source): Data protection will expire by the end of the year, on 12 December 2026.
• Vitamin D2 mushroom powder: Data protection will expire by the end of the year, on 19 December 2026.
• Calcium fructoborate: Data protection will expire by the end of the year, on 23 December 2026.
In March, expect again an insightful summary of the latest Novel Foods updates. We will keep you briefed as new information becomes available.
We are dedicated to providing you with the best news available. Your input is greatly appreciated, so please share any suggestions, topics, or countries you would like us to cover.
‡Photo by Zoltan Tasi on Unsplash
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