Transparency data

ACNFP Minutes of the 176th meeting held on the 23rd of April 2026

Updated 20 July 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 176th meeting of the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes, held on the 23rd of April as an online meeting.

Attendance

Committee Chair

Dr Camilla Alexander-White

Committee Members

Dr Anton Alldrick

Dr Meera Cush

Dr Cathrina Edwards

Professor Susan Fairweather-Tait

Professor Sophie Foley

Professor Paul Fraser

Dr Andy Greenfield

Professor Paul Haggarty

Professor Wendy Harwood

Professor Gunter Kuhnle

Professor Clare Mills

Dr Isabel Skypala

Professor Hans Verhagen

Professor Bruce Whitelaw

For the CCP items on the agenda:

Professor Ramiro Alberio - Co-opted Member–CCP subgroup

Apologies

Professor Dimitris Charalampopoulos

Professor Huw D. Jones

Dr Elizabeth Lund

Dr Lynn McIntyre

Professor Peter Gregory  - Representative Science Council

Professor Simon Pearson - Representative Science Council

Assessor

Ms Arvind Thandi  - Head of Novel Foods Policy

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

Observers FSA

Dr Swati Arya - Senior Regulated Products Risk Assessor

Ms Polly Bevan - Regulated Products Risk Assessor

Dr Erin Cullen - Senior Regulated Products Risk Assessor

Ms Jocelyn Frimpong-Manso - Senior Regulated Products Risk Assessor

Dr Edward Fuller - Senior Regulated Products Risk Assessor

Dr Thomas Hornsby - Senior Regulated Products Risk Assessor

Dr Tahmina Khan - Regulated Products Risk Assessment

Dr David Kovacic - Senior Regulated Products Risk Assessor

Dr Rachael J. Oakenfull - Regulated Products Risk Assessment

Mrs Jodie Towns - Senior Regulated Products Risk Assessor

Dr Katie Schulz - Regulated Products Risk Assessor

Observers Devolved administration

Ms Kaila Lee - Policy, FSA Wales

Mr Jeremy Mills - Policy, FSA Wales

Mr Lorcan Browne - Food Standards Scotland

Ms Aileen Livingstone - Food Standards Scotland

Dr Karen Pearson - Food Standards Scotland

Ms Rachel Gilbert - Policy, FSA Northern Ireland

Secretariat

Mrs Ruth  Willis - Technical Secretary

Mrs Afielia Choudhry - Science Secretariat

Dr Nathan Allen - Science Secretariat

Mr Matt Hall - Science Secretariat

Dr Andrew Hartley - Science Secretariat

Mr Ben Haynes - Science Secretariat

Dr Daniel Lloyd - Technical Secretary of the CCP subgroup

Ms Jenny Rees - Science Secretariat

Mr Will Smith - Science Secretariat

Miss Victoria Balch - Administrative Secretariat

1. Apologies and Announcements

Apologies were received from Peter Gregory and Simon Pearson the Science Council representatives. Apologies were also received from Professor Dimitris Charalampopoulos, Dr Elizabeth Lund, Dr Lynn McIntyre and Professor Huw D. Jones.

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 new conflict in relation to application RP1571 as he has begun working on a project with the applicant 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 and Novel Foods items on the agenda.

3. Meeting Minutes for the 175th Meeting

ACNFP/175/MINS

The Committee agreed the 175th 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/175/MA

The Secretariat reported on actions from the 175th meeting:

• Fermotein RP1215 – The Committee reviewed this novel food application for the fourth and final time. The CAD was agreed, subject to amendments and review by Chair’s action. The next steps for this application are being reviewed.

• Draft precision fermentation advisory document – the Committee provided feedback on the FSA owned supplementary guidance for novel foods produced through precision and biomass fermentation. This was incorporated into the document before its publication in March.

• Draft Committee Advice Document (CAD) template for precision fermented novel foods – the Committee feedback was taken on board and the document finalised. It will provide the framework for CADs for future new precision fermented products to be reviewed by the Committee.

• Cell-cultivated chicken biomass RP2218– The Committee reviewed this CCP application for the first time, an ingredient intended to be added to a range of foods. Information gaps to meet the requirements of the novel foods technical guidance were identified in identity, production process, composition, stability, proposed uses, specifications, ADME, toxicology, nutritional information and allergenicity. Initial responses from the applicant will be explored in this meeting.

• Cell-cultivated duck RP2241– The Committee reviewed this CCP application for the first time, an ingredient intended to be added to a range of foods. Information gaps to meet the requirements of the novel foods technical guidance were identified in identity, production process, composition, stability, proposed uses, specifications, ADME, toxicology, nutritional information and allergenicity. Initial responses from the applicant will be explored in this meeting.

5. Beta-lactoglobulin RP1571

ACNFP/176/01

An application for beta-lactoglobulin (BLG), which is manufactured using a precision fermentation process and intended to be used an ingredient in a diverse range of foods, was reviewed for a third time. The Secretariat provided Members with a draft Committee Advice document to support the review process. Areas where further information from the applicant is required to complete the assessment were identified.

Analysis requested by the Committee confirmed that the protein content of the novel food consists predominantly of BLG along with fungal proteins derived from the genetically modified organism (GMO) used in the precision fermentation process. Members request that the identity and specification information is updated to accurately reflect this.

Further information concerning the sterile filtration step, a critical control point in the production process, was provided. The Committee considered the response was sufficient to ensure this potential hazard was managed appropriately.

The filtration aid used in production process was identified as the source of inorganic arsenic contamination in the novel food. Members raised concerns regarding the presence and toxicological profile of this heavy metal in the novel food with respect to the proposed uses and the potential exposure levels in consumers. The Committee suggested that this be discussed with the applicant to ensure the As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) principle for contaminants was being applied. This would inform the next steps for the application.

Analysis for mycotoxins in five batches of the novel food did not identify any concerns; however, information concerning the method validation was not available for review. Members request that this information is provided.

Members indicated that the response to their query regarding the risk of allergic reactions in consumers with a clinically relevant allergy to milk did not fully address their concerns. The Committee noted that there was an elevated risk of serious reactions due to higher acute exposure to BLG from the novel food than from consuming the same amount of milk (powder) in the same food categories. In addition, when used as an alternative to animal milk protein, the novel food presents a risk to consumers as a ‘hidden food allergen’ in categories where milk is not normally used. The risk is to be highlighted to Risk Managers to consider what appropriate measures are required to protect consumers with clinically relevant milk allergy.

The Committee also noted that the presence of proteins from the GMO in the novel food presents a low risk to consumers with clinically relevant fungal allergy.

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

6. Human-equivalent Lactoferrin Alpha RP2296

ACNFP/176/02

An application for human-equivalent lactoferrin α (heqLFα), which is manufactured using a fermentation process and intended to be used an ingredient in a diverse range of foods and beverages, was reviewed for the first time. The Secretariat provided Members with a draft Committee Advice document to support the review process. Areas where further information from the applicant is required to complete the assessment were identified.

Members highlighted that the structure of the protein in particular binding of iron and the impact of glycosylation needed to be explored. This would provide the basis for understanding whether the protein was equivalent to human lactoferrin. If the functionality is different the impact on risk would need to be considered.

The Committee queried the potential impact of additional iron exposure in the diet from the novel food. The bioavailability of the iron present in the protein was considered, and any wider impact on the absorption of other nutrients was also discussed. This was considered further in relation to proposed use and whether there would be any impact from use of the novel food in categories already fortified with iron. Members also noted stability studies were on going.

Members considered the information on the potential for immunotoxicology effects, highlighting the need to explore this further in particular to understand whether there were different impacts for particular population groups. Similarly, consideration was given to the potential allergenicity of the food. It was noted that bovine lactoferrin is not a major milk allergen but the relevance of this as a comparator needed further consideration when protein function had been reviewed in more depth. The potential for humans to have antibodies to human lactoferrin needed consideration as part of the wider review of immunotoxicity.

The Committee agreed that given the volume and complexity of information for review of this novel food additional time to consider the detail would be helpful. As such the hazard identification step will be completed at the next meeting.

Action: Committee to continue their initial review of this dossier at their next meeting.

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

ACNFP/176/03

An application for a cell cultivated biomass of duck cell origin, as a food ingredient, was reviewed for a second time. Following the February 2026 meeting, the Secretariat had sought further information on Identity, Production Process, Composition & Stability, Specifications, Proposed Uses and Intakes, ADME, Nutritional Information, Toxicological Information and Allergenicity of the novel food.

The Secretariat presented Members with an initial set of applicant responses covering assessment areas on Identity, Production Process and Proposed Uses and Intakes. A tiered response approach had been agreed to support applicants in presenting existing data whilst continuing to conduct and analyse additional studies to support progression on the assessment of CCPs for the GB market.

Information provided by the applicant on the nature of the novel food was reviewed. It was agreed that the information provided on the cell type’s characteristics and behavioural features was sufficient.  The principle was established that the nature of the novel food experienced as a product needed to be understood in addition to the cells that result from the proliferation phase of production, if different, to inform further discussion on the potential risks to be managed.

The Committee reiterated the point from the previous discussion on understanding the nature of the product as distinguished from meat cell types, whether there are potential safety considerations with regards to the cell identification and ensuring consumers had accurate information on the novel food. The role of the targeted undifferentiated cell type in context with technological function and production of the novel food was discussed. This included further information on its storage and properties as a food ingredient.

The nature of the novel food as consumed and the proposed uses, were reviewed. Information on a revised set of food category uses were discussed.

Members agreed to provide further input by correspondence to the Secretariat to inform of any additional areas for review.

Action: The Secretariat to seek Members input by correspondence.

Action: The Secretariat to await further information from the applicant and update the draft Committee Advice Document for further review at the next available meeting.

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

ACNFP/176/04

An application for cultivated chicken biomass, which is manufactured from a proprietary immortalised avian cell line using traditional cell culture techniques, was reviewed for a second time. Following initial review further information was sought from the applicant on identity, production process, composition, stability, proposed uses, specifications, ADME, toxicology, nutritional information and allergenicity.

The Secretariat presented Members with an initial set of responses covering Identity, Production process, Specification and Proposed uses. A tiered response approach had been agreed to support applicants in presenting existing data whilst continuing to conduct and analyse additional studies to support progression on the assessment of CCPs for the GB market.

Further information on the identity of the cell banks was provided. Members requested that additional data should be sought to clarify the identity of the novel food as opposed to the cell lines used, if different.

The Committee noted the specification for the novel food had been updated. A microbiological hygiene parameter has been added, and a few parameters appear to have been removed without supporting explanation. Clarification is sought concerning the removal of these parameters.

Action: The Secretariat to seek Members input by correspondence.

Action: The Secretariat to await further information from the applicant and update the draft Committee Advice Document for further review at the next available meeting.

9. Draft cell-cultivated products guidance: Identity, Production and Microbiology (reserved business)

ACNFP/176/05

Members reviewed the draft FSA owned guidance on CCPs in relation to identity, production and microbiology intended to support applicants in considering the scientific data needed to demonstrate the safety of these novel foods. This is the second such guidance to be produced under the FSA CCP sandbox programme.

Members provided detailed feedback to ensure that the guidance was as clear as possible on the nature of the hazards in these areas for CCP products and the nature of the data needed to provide reassurance on safety. Comments were also made to ensure the guidance was futureproofed for the range of CCP products that could be submitted as novel foods. The team will refine the guidance text ahead of publication this summer.

Action: CCP Secretariat team to take away feedback and further develop guidance before finalisation and publication.

10. Items for Information

10.1 Novel Foods Policy Update - Written

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

10.2 GM Policy Update - Nil Return

There was no update to share regarding GM.

10.3 SACS Update - Written

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

10.4 Decision Panel Update - Written

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

11. Any other business

The Secretariat informed members of two CBD group A CADs to be circulated shortly for clearance by correspondence.

Members were thanked for the responses to the annual appraisal which supports the effective and efficient working of the Committee. They were also thanked for the response on declaration of interests which will support the transparent reporting and managing of member interests.

Date of next meeting

The next ACNFP meeting will be held as a hybrid meeting on the 17th of June 2026.