MEPs want stricter rules on nanomaterials in food

Novel foods including nanomaterials should not be authorised nationally until the European Food Safety Authority approves them, MEPs have said.

In a meeting held on 24 November, the European Parliament’s environment committee approved a draft legislation to simplify and centralise the authorisation procedure for novel foods, those produced by using nanomaterials or cloning animals. This category also includes food for third countries which have not been consumed extensively for at least 25 years.

The draft law approved by the committee specifies deadlines and definitions for the process of placing novel food on the market.