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The impact of the European Novel Food Regulation on trade and food innovation based on traditional plant foods from developing countries

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  • Hermann, Michael

Abstract

The stringent food safety assessment for novel foods required by the European Union's Novel Food Regulation (NFR) places a high burden of proof on those bringing traditional food products to the EU market not consumed in the EU prior 1997. The regulation has emerged as a non-tariff trade barrier for heritage foods from developing countries that are viewed as "exotic" from the EU perspective. We show how the regulation has discouraged investment in supply chains and market development, and how this negatively affects income generation and rural poverty alleviation in developing countries. Focusing on plant-derived foods, this paper proposes to recognize traditional exotic foods in current EU law as a food category sui generis with food safety evidence requirements being proportionate to the risks they may pose. We argue that development activities promoting export food chains must increasingly accommodate legitimate food safety concerns about neglected food species in project design and seek to generate data to enhance regulatory acceptance in target markets.

Suggested Citation

  • Hermann, Michael, 2009. "The impact of the European Novel Food Regulation on trade and food innovation based on traditional plant foods from developing countries," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(6), pages 499-507, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jfpoli:v:34:y:2009:i:6:p:499-507
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Vladimir Verner & Monika Kosova & Petra Chaloupkova & Samnang Nguon & Patrick Van Damme & Ladislav Kokoska, 2023. "Tourists’ Preferences for Traditional Food Products as Indicators of the Market Potential of Underutilised Species in Cambodia," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-19, August.
    2. Margherita Paola Poto & Mathilde D. Morel, 2021. "Suggesting an Extensive Interpretation of the Concept of Novelty That Looks at the Bio-Cultural Dimension of Food," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-10, April.
    3. Zoo, Hanah & de Vries, Henk J. & Lee, Heejin, 2017. "Interplay of innovation and standardization: Exploring the relevance in developing countries," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 334-348.
    4. Marberg, Angela & van Kranenburg, Hans & Korzilius, Hubert, 2017. "The big bug: The legitimation of the edible insect sector in the Netherlands," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 111-123.
    5. Carla Zarbà & Gaetano Chinnici & Mario D’Amico, 2020. "Novel Food: The Impact of Innovation on the Paths of the Traditional Food Chain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-18, January.
    6. Pamela Lattanzi, 2015. "Botanicals and the Regulatory Framework on Food Supplements in the European Union: a Tricky Relationship," AGRICOLTURA ISTITUZIONI MERCATI, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2015(2-3), pages 111-131.
    7. Meinhold, Kathrin & Dumenu, William Kwadwo & Darr, Dietrich, 2022. "Connecting rural non-timber forest product collectors to global markets: The case of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.)," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    8. Bokary Allaye Kelly & Sidi Sanogo & Sory Ibrahim Sidibé & Paolo Ceci & Elena Castillo-Lorenzo & Tiziana Ulian, 2022. "Survival and growth of Adansonia digitata L. tall bare-roots in farm fields: a case study from Bankass, Mali (West Africa)," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(6), pages 8883-8899, June.

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