Annual Report 2025
Annual Report of the activities and outputs of the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP) and its subgroups from April 2025 to March 2026.
Documents
Details
This page contains the 2025/2026 annual report of the Advisory Committee on Novel Foods and Processes (ACNFP). This details the topics considered by the ACNFP and its subgroups; the genetic technologies (PGT) subcommittee, the cell cultivated products (CCP) subcommittee, and the joint ACNFP and Committee on Toxicity (COT) subgroup on cannabidiol (CBD). This includes the work of the Committee to support the Food Standards Agencies programmes on food innovation - The cell cultivated sandbox and the Innovation research programme which focused on products of precision fermentation. The report also details the work of the Committee to support the new Precision Breed Organisms legislation as well as the assessments they have supported as part of the regulated products service.
Highlights in 2025/2026 include:
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Precision Fermentation and Cell-Cultivated Products - The Committee reviewed and advised on 27 novel food dossiers last year, supporting both the FSA’s Innovation Research Programme and the Cell-Cultivated Products Sandbox. This included making progress in assessing the first two cell-cultivated product applications submitted in Great Britain, marking a significant milestone for food innovation regulation.
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CBD and Hemp-Derived Products - This year marked the completion of the first phase of the Joint ACNFP and Committee on Toxicity (COT) Subgroup’s work on cannabidiol (CBD) and hemp-derived products. The subgroup published a report addressing key scientific challenges associated with the safety assessment of these products and delivered internationally significant outputs, including the development of world-first guidelines to support risk assessment in this rapidly evolving sector.
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Precision bred organisms (PBOs): The ACNFP Products of Genetic Technologies subgroup has supported the implementation of the new regulatory framework for precision bred organisms. This included scientific advice on the technical guidance for applicants, helping to establish a clear, proportionate and science-based assessment process. The subgroup’s work has supported the effective implementation of this new legislation and enabling innovation while safeguarding consumers.