Transparency data

ACNFP Minutes of the 175th meeting held on the 11th and 12th of February 2026

Published 2 February 2026

These minutes are subject to confirmation by the Committee. 

Members are required to declare any personal interest in matters under discussion. Where Members have a particularly close association with any item, the Chairman will limit their involvement in the discussion. In cases where an item is to be discussed in their absence, a member may make a statement before leaving.

Minutes of the 175th meeting of the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes, held on the 11th and 12th of February at Broadway House, Victoria, London, as a hybrid meeting.

Attendance

Committee Chair

Dr Camilla Alexander-White

Committee Members

Dr Anton Alldrick

Professor George Bassel

Professor Dimitris Charalampopoulos

Dr Meera Cush

Dr Cathrina Edwards

Professor Susan Fairweather-Tait

Professor Sophie Foley

Dr Andy Greenfield

Professor Paul Haggarty

Professor Wendy Harwood

Professor Huw D. Jones

Dr Ray Kemp

Professor Gunter Kuhnle

Dr Elizabeth Lund

Dr Lynn McIntyre

Professor Clare Mills

Dr Isabel Skypala

Prof Hans Verhagen

Professor Bruce Whitelaw

For the CCP items on the agenda:

Professor Ramiro Alberio - Co-opted Member–CCP subgroup

For items 12 and 13 on day 2:

Professor Peter Gregory - Representative Science Council

Apologies

Professor Paul Fraser

Professor Simon Pearson - Representative Science Council

Assessor

Ms Arvind Thandi  - Head of Novel Foods Policy

Mr Adekunle Adeoye - Senior Policy Officer, Regulated Services

Ms Melanie Harris - Head of Cell Cultivated Products Policy, Strategy

Directors Presenters FSA

Ms Rebecca Sudworth - FSA Director of Policy

Dr Francisco Matilla-Garcia - Innovation Research Programme

Observers FSA

Dr Swati Arya - Regulated Products Risk Assessment

Dr Erin Cullen - Regulated Products Risk Assessment

Dr Karin Heurlier - Regulated Products Risk Assessment

Mrs Jodie Towns - Regulated Products Risk Assessment

Observers Devolved administration

Mr Jeremy Mills - Policy, FSA Wales

Ms Kaila Lee - Policy, FSA Wales

Mr Xosé Álvarez - Policy, FSA Wales

Mr Lorcan Browne - Food Standards Scotland

Ms Aileen Livingstone - Food Standards Scotland

Mr Carlos Pestana - Food Standards Scotland

Colleen Sandison - Food Standards Scotland

Secretariat

Mrs Ruth  Willis - Technical Secretary

Dr Emily Davies - Science Secretariat & Acting ACNFP Lead Secretariat

Dr Nathan Allen - Science Secretariat

Ms Karen Ashby - Science Secretariat

Mrs Afielia Choudhry - Science Secretariat

Mr Matt Hall - Science Secretariat

Dr Andrew Hartley - Science Secretariat

Mr Ben Haynes - Science Secretariat

Dr Annalisa Leone - Science Secretariat

Dr Daniel Lloyd - Science Secretariat

Mr Will Smith - Science Secretariat

Miss Victoria Balch - Administrative Secretariat

1. Apologies and Announcements

Apologies were received from Professor Paul Fraser and Simon Pearson as the Science Council representative. Apologies were also received for the afternoon of meeting day 2 (12th) from Dr Isabel Skypala.

The Chair reminded Members of the need to announce any potential conflicts of interests prior to the discussions of each item. Professor Hans Verhagen declared a conflict in relation to application RP1215 and agreed to leave the meeting for the discussion of this application.

2. Welcome

The Chair welcomed the Members, representatives from the FSA, the observers from the devolved administrations and the Secretariat team. The Chair welcomed the policy leads acting as FSA assessors for the CCP, GM and Novel Foods items on the agenda.

3. Meeting Minutes for the 173rd Meeting

ACNFP/174/MINS

The Committee agreed the 174th meeting draft minutes for publication on the ACNFP website, subject to minor amendments. Clearance would be sought by Chair’s action.

4. Matters Arising from the last meeting

ACNFP/174/MA

The Secretariat reported on actions from the 174th meeting:

• β-lactoglobulin RP1571 – The Committee had reviewed this application for the second time. As information gaps to meet the requirements of the novel foods technical guidance were still present, further information on identity, production process, composition and allergenicity were sought to meet the requirements of the technical guidance.  If the applicant returns with the data required to assure safety, the CAD will be updated and reviewed for a final time at the next available meeting.
• Solein RP1326 – The Committee had reviewed this novel food application for the second time. As information gaps to meet the requirements of the novel foods technical guidance were still present, further information on identity, production process, specification, proposed use levels, nutrition and toxicological information were sought to meet the requirements of the technical guidance.  If the applicant returns with the data required to assure safety, the CAD will be updated and reviewed by the Committee.
• Fusarium str. flavolapis RP1637 – The Committee had reviewed this application for the second time. As information gaps to meet the requirements of the novel foods technical guidance were still present, further information on identity, production process, specification, proposed uses, nutrition and toxicological information were sought to meet the requirements of the technical guidance. If the applicant returns with the data required, this will be shared at the next available meeting with the aim of finalising the assessment.
• Fermotein RP1215 – The Committee had reviewed this application for the third time. Further information to meet the requirements of the novel foods technical guidance was recommended to be requested in relation to the production process, composition, specification and ADME. The CAD has been updated and was reviewed in this meeting.
• The report from the allergenicity workshop was published on the ACNFP website on 21st November 2025. The workshop findings will be examined in greater depth at a future meeting, including discussion on the most appropriate approach for their implementation.
• RP194, RP61 and RP225 - The assessments for these CBD applications have concluded and the CADs have been published on the ACNFP website.
• The ACNFP and the COT completed their review of the ANSES proposal to classify CBD as a reproductive toxicant. The ACNFP-COT joint statement was published on the ACNFP website on the 5th December 2025.

Day 1

5. Fermotein RP12151

ACNFP/175/01

An application for Rhizomucor pusillus biomass (Fermotein®), a protein and fibre ingredient for use in the general population, was reviewed for the fourth time. The Secretariat provided Members with an updated Committee Advice Document to support the Committee’s review.

The additional information provided by the applicant on the production process, specification and composition, and ADME was reviewed to inform finalising the assessment.

Members discussed the digestibility of the novel food, noting that the term ‘high protein source’ is not appropriate for this product, as it is not highly digestible. The potential for nutritional disadvantage was identified if used as the primary protein source in the diet.

The Committee reviewed the toxicology data provided for assessment, concluding that the novel food is safe for adults under the proposed uses. The margin of safety derived for toddlers, children and adolescents is smaller than required, impacting the conclusions that can be reached on safety for these age groups.

Members also commented on the allergenicity of the novel food, noting that the novel food was not expected to cause cross reactivity in those with allergies to major allergenic foods (Annex II of assimilated Regulation 1169/2011). However, the potential for cross reactivity in those allergic to other fungal protein ingredients was identified.

Members provided comments on the drafting of the CAD and noted textual changes. Members agreed the Committee Advice Document subject to the changes identified. Final text will be agreed by Chair’s action before entering the publication process.

Action: Secretariat to amend the draft Committee Advice Document in light of Committee feedback for clearance by Chair’s action.

6. EFSA 2024 Guidance Review

ACNFP/175/02

The Committee reviewed the updated EFSA novel food guidance, published in 2024, and discussed whether it was appropriate to form the basis for the review of full novel food applications in Great Britain (GB).

The Committee provided feedback on the guidance and identified areas where there were good technical improvements and also areas where further review was required, including the sections on compositional data, specifications and allergy. It was agreed that an intersessional review of these sections would be conducted.

Members agreed that the 2016 guidance, which currently underpins the risk assessment of novel food applications in GB, should continue as the basis for GB assessment. The Committee noted that the primary legislation is unchanged between GB and the EU and agreed that any gaps in the 2016 guidance could be addressed through existing FSA supplementary guidance and targeted requests for additional data from applicants, where necessary. This would be kept under review in light of the EU reset and work to agree a SPS agreement with the EU.

Action: Secretariat to facilitate an intersessional review of sections on compositional data and specifications.

Action: Secretariat to compile the Committee feedback on guidance, following intersessional review.

7. Draft Precision Fermentation Advisory Document

ACNFP/175/03

The Committee was presented with the draft of the supplementary guidance for novel foods produced through precision and biomass fermentation. This document, aimed at supporting applicants when readying dossiers, was produced as part of the Innovation Research Programme (IRP) work on precision fermentation (PF).  

The Committee reviewed the document in detail and provided feedback to the Secretariat. Members noted the importance of establishing clearly the products within scope of the guidance early in the document, and ensuring the contents align with the chosen scope. It was flagged that structuring the guidance to mirror the sections of the dossier would ease navigation and would facilitate the avoidance of duplication with the existing guidance.

Action: Secretariat to consolidate member’s feedback into a final version of the document to be published in March 2026 as part of the outputs of the IRP.

8. Draft CAD for Precision Fermented Foods

ACNFP/175/04

The Committee was presented with a draft Committee Advice Document (CAD) for precision fermented foods, which had been collated on learning from the Innovation Research Programme (IRP). This document was to be used internally to provide structure for assessments and address common issues identified during the IRP.

Comments were provided on the draft, and this will be updated in light of the points raised on the previous item.

9. Genetically modified Maize Bt11 × MIR162 × MZIR098 × DP4114 × NK603, RP2288 (reserved business)

ACNFP/175/05

An application for the authorisation of genetically modified Bt11 × MIR162 × MZIR098 × DP4114 × NK603 maize had been reviewed by the ACNFP PGT sub-committee. The outcome of the Products of Genetic Technologies (PGT) subcommittee assessment of the application was reviewed and endorsed by the ACNFP subject to minor amendments.

Action: Secretariat to update the finalised Committee Advice Document in view of Members comments.

10. Genetically modified Soybean MON94313, RP2261 (reserved business)

ACNFP/175/06

An application for the authorisation of genetically modified MON94313 soybean had been reviewed by the ACNFP PGT sub-committee. The outcome of the PGT subcommittee assessment of the application was reviewed and endorsed by the ACNFP subject to minor amendments.

Action: Secretariat to update the finalised Committee Advice Document in view of Members comments.

11. Genetically modified Soybean COR23134 RP2310 (reserved business) (reserved business)

ACNFP/175/07

An application for the authorisation of genetically modified COR23134 soybean had been reviewed by the ACNFP PGT sub-committee. The outcome of the PGT subcommittee assessment of the application was reviewed and endorsed by the ACNFP subject to minor amendments.

Action: Secretariat to update the finalised Committee Advice Document in view of Members comments.

12. Items for Information

12.1 Novel Food Policy Update - Written

The Committee was provided with a written update on the issues under consideration regarding novel foods.

12.2 GM Policy Update - Written

The Committee was provided with an written update on the issues under consideration regarding GM.

12.3 SACS Update - Written

The Committee was provided with a written update on the activities of the different SACs.

12.4 Decision Panel Update - Written

The Committee was provided with a written update on the activities of the Decision Panel.

13. Any other business

The Secretariat informed Members of a change to the traditional foods assessment process, with the FSA now leading risk assessments internally and seeking Committee advice only when needed. This change is consistent with the aim of utilising the extensive expertise of the ACNFP for the most challenging and complex issues.

Members were reminded that the ACNFP has been reclassified as a Departmental Expert Committee (DEC) but were reassured that the function and remit of the Committee have not changed; providing independent advice will remain at the core of the Committee’s working.

Members of the Committee questioned whether it was acceptable to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to assist the Committee in their work, for example, in summarising lengthy studies. The Secretariat advised that there is currently no formal guidance on use of AI by SACs, but that a formal, government-wide report in due to be published in 2026.

Member views were sought on the approach to bringing returning dossiers to the Committee to support a timely and robust review. The suggestions made will be implemented in future papers.

Day 2

14. Introduction to Cell-Cultivated Products (CCP) Policy

Rebecca Sudworth, Director of Policy at the FSA, gave Members an overview of the CCP sandbox programme, outlining its progress over the past year and the options under consideration to inform future risk‑management approaches, particularly in relation to managing uncertainty.

15. Introduction to CCP novel food applications

Dr Daniel Lloyd of the CCP sandbox risk assessment team gave a verbal presentation to the Committee on the learning from the science workstream of the sandbox. The learning gained to date from engagement with industry, academics and other regulators was shared.

Members were reminded that to support applicants, the FSA has launched a Business Support Service (BSS) and has published supplementary guidance regarding allergenicity and nutritional information for CCPs, with additional supplementary guidance expected to be published this year. Thanks were given to the ACNFP CCP subgroup, who have helped to develop this guidance.

The approach to managing the first of class applications was explained to support the review of the first of these innovative products in the following items.

16. Cell cultivated biomass of chicken origin RP2218 (reserved business)

ACNFP/175/08

An application for cultivated chicken biomass, a cell cultivated product, which is intended to be used as an ingredient in a range of foods, was reviewed for the first time.

The Secretariat provided Members with a draft Committee Advice Document to support the Committee’s review. The review identified a number of areas that required further information to meet the data requirements from the EFSA guidance and provide a basis to complete the assessment. 

The Committee recommended further information be sought on the characterisation and morphology of the cells in the cell banks and final novel food. This would provide a consistent and clear basis for assessment of the nature of the food for which authorisation is sought and its characteristics. Information was also sought on the proteins present and the form the novel food would be used in.

Members reviewed the novel food production process and noted that the hazard assessment procedures from biopharmaceutical product manufacture could support the review of this novel food. A suggestion was made that the Secretariat should consult with the MHRA to understand best practice from other sectors. This could hone the compositional testing to ensure core parameters for the food as it is produced were addressed. This would also inform understanding of the sources of impurities and the choices of parameters in the specification.

Further details were needed on the process parameters if the planned larger scale of production was implemented to identify any implications this could have for food safety. Clarification was also requested around the use of plastic materials in the manufacture of cultivated chicken biomass. Members also suggested that the stability of the novel food be further assessed to consider the impact of storage on the nutritional components in the novel food. In addition, the stability of the cultivated chicken biomass post-thawing should also be evaluated. 

The Committee reviewed the proposed uses of the novel food. Information is sought on the technological function of cultivated chicken biomass in the target food categories. This reflects that the food is high in moisture and this may affect the use and use level of the novel food in some categories. The information would inform review of the intake assessment. Following this review, the impact on the exposure levels of endogenous substances, impurities, and residues in consumers of cultivated chicken biomass should also be considered.   

Members noted that detailed toxicological data may not be needed if the ADME of the cultivated chicken biomass and its similarity to current consumed foods could be established. Members suggested information is sought to understand how the novel food is digested and metabolised, and whether there are any impacts on the GI tract. Clarity was sought on the genotoxicity tests undertaken and whether these had been on intact or lysed cells to understand the relevance of the testing based on how the body will be exposed to the food.

The Committee recommended more information was needed to assess the allergenicity of cultivated chicken biomass, in line with published FSA CCP guidance document. Further clarification is also sought to confirm whether any major allergens in the cell culture medium had been identified and their impact assessed. 

Action: The Secretariat to seek further information from the applicant and update the draft Committee Advice Document.

17. Cell-cultivated duck biomass of duck origin RP2241 (reserved business)

ACNFP/175/09

An application for a cell cultivated duck biomass was reviewed for the first time. The novel food is intended for use as an ingredient added to a range of foods. The Secretariat provided Members with a draft Committee Advice Document to support the Committee’s review. Due to the similarities between the Cell Cultivated Products (CCP) under items 8 and 9 on the agenda, common information gaps were agreed and differences discussed. Several areas were identified that required further information from the applicant to meet the requirements of the EFSA guidance and progress the assessment.

Following review, the Committee recommended that further data be sought on the cell type characteristics and their behavioural features. Identification of the protein components of the novel food was suggested to support characterisation and to inform the allergenicity assessment. Questions were asked about how cell characterisation was maintained and how this and the potential for changes in the product over time, such as genetic drift, were managed.

The Committee advised that further details on the culture media materials used in the product process would be needed. This would support understanding potential risks and how they are managed. The potential impacts of scale up of the production on food safety risk were explored. Members recommended that limitations on scale of production should be applied to support a clear basis for the assessment and to link product composition, process and risk together. As in the previous item the potential to learn from the management of biopharmaceutical products to inform the assessment of CCPs was recommended.

The Committee advised that explanation was needed with respect to the variability in the observed composition data and the source of contaminants in the novel food. It recommended that further consideration be given to what microbiological testing was relevant for the novel food given the production mechanisms. As well as the impact of the production process on microbiological profile post cell multiplication phase. Discussion was also held on the stability of the novel food and what testing would help understand the risks of storage from the novel food.

The Committee reviewed the proposed uses of the novel food and requested clarification be sought on the intended forms of the novel food. Queries were raised on the relevance of the intake and exposure assessment and the differences between UK and EU consumption patterns in the food categories proposed.  Members queried technological functionality of the novel food to better understand the form it would be used in. This would also assist in providing information to consumers, ensuring that they understood the nature of the food.

The Committee indicated that the assessment of nutritional disadvantage for CCPs should be focused on recommended intakes and available health-based guidance values for micronutrients or media residue components of the novel food, respectively.

Members advised that the ADME, toxicological and allergenicity assessments could not be concluded without the protein characterisation and further details on the media residue components. Additionally, it was advised that the applicant follow the December 2025 FSA CCP guidance publication on the allergenicity assessment of CCPs.

Action: The Secretariat to seek further information from the applicant and update the draft Committee Advice Document

Date of next meeting

The next ACNFP meeting will be held as a virtual meeting on the 23rd of April 2026.