What is a novel food?
A novel food is one that wasn’t consumed to a significant degree in the UK or EU before May 1997. Novel foods need authorisation before they can be sold. New extracts, new processes and some traditional ingredients from outside Europe can all fall into this group.
Where supplement brands get caught
CBD is the best-known example: CBD products in Great Britain need to be linked to a novel food application, and the Food Standards Agency keeps a public list. Some mushroom extracts, botanical concentrates and newer vitamin forms are novel foods too. Authorised novel foods often have specific conditions, such as maximum doses or required label statements.
How to check
Ask your ingredient supplier for evidence of the ingredient’s status: either a history of use before 1997 or its authorisation. Check the FSA’s guidance on novel foods and the authorisations list. If in doubt, ask a regulatory consultant before you print.
Label conditions
If an authorisation sets label requirements, such as a specific name or a warning, they are mandatory. We’ll include them in our check if you tell us the ingredient is a novel food.
Not legal advice. This guide covers the general rules for food supplements sold in Great Britain. Check your own product with a regulatory adviser, your local Trading Standards team or your Primary Authority partner.