Novel Foods Expert Network for Regulatory Challenges UK (NFX UK)

The potential for enhancing innovation in the UK economy through Novel Food's (NF) is significant, as acknowledged by the government in the Pro-innovation Regulation of Technologies Review -- Life Sciences \[1\]. NF's are regulated by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) in the UK.

The process for NFs approval demands specialised regulatory and scientific expertise, access to reliable certified analytical facilities and a clear understanding of the requirements. Building the required network is challenging especially for SMEs, who tend to have more limited resources, but also for larger enterprises venturing into the NFs application process for the first time. Consequently, the creation of a scientific dossier necessary to assess the safety of a NF correctly may take significantly longer than need be or may be of limited quality. The repercussions of not understanding the required regulatory and scientific obligations affect the overall innovation ecosystem stunting UK economic growth.

To fulfil the UK's goal of becoming a global leader in innovative research design and delivery, it is essential to support food innovators on their regulatory journey for NF submissions. This project will create the **UK's first Expert Network for Novel Foods Regulatory Challenges (NFX UK)**.

The main objectives of the Network will be to:

* **Serve as a central hub for learning resources**, facilitating access to critical information and promoting the development of regulatory science tools. Through building the Network, we will improve access to these tools, empowering companies with a clearer understanding of the regulatory processes, data requirements, risk, and safety assessments necessary for their specific ingredient(s), ultimately enhancing the quality of dossiers.
* **Foster a positive exchange with regulatory authorities**, especially the FSA, offering insights into industry challenges and emerging technologies. Informed data from horizon scanning will supplement information accessible to regulators for informed and data-driven decision-making which will enable agile and proportionate regulation in response to innovation.
* **Promote connections for NF innovators** with experts and service providers in the field, including analytical and technology organisations, scale-up and manufacturing facilities, expert consultants, and research institutions all to aid NF commercialisation.

NFX UK will feed into the government's aim of making the NF's process more collaborative and transparent, to provide smoother pathways for swift market entry of new technologies and products. It will engage food companies, service providers, academics, and regulators, to foster an open dialogue to advance NFs regulatory science collaboratively.