Placing microalgae for food use on the EU market postulates verification of proper implementation of the Novel Foods framework. State of the art to follow.
1) Food for the future
Microalgae are considered by many researchers to be one of the most promising ‘food for the future,’ (1) for two essential reasons:
– their cultivation is possible in a variety of contexts, does not require land consumption, has higher efficiency than other crops, and contributes substantially to sequestering CO2 in the atmosphere,
– their use in foods provides valuable contributions to nutrition and health. Protein, marine omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fiber, polysaccharides, vitamins and trace elements, phytocompounds.
2) Discipline of Novel Foods
Operators who decide to produce and/or import and market novel foods in the EU, including microalgae for food use, must first identify their status with respect to the Novel Foods framework (EU reg. 2015/2283). Individual matrices, depending on the case, may turn out to be:
– Traditional foods, i.e., provided with an established safe consumption history in the EU prior to 15.5.97. Their use can continue without the need for permission (without neglecting possible uncertainties. See note 3),
– authorized novel foods. In this case, requirements, conditions of use and any exclusivity granted to applicants must be checked,
– novel food in fieri. If a permit procedure is already underway, its possible outcome can be foreshadowed by examining the contents of the application,
– Unauthorized novel foods. Their release must be preceded by appropriate authorization, following evaluation of their safety by theEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
3) Status of foodstuffs
A preliminary assessment of a food’s status with respect to the novel foods discipline can be performed by analysis of:
– European Novel Food Catalog. It is a list maintained by the European Commission, which is not complete and has no binding legal effect,
– European list of approved Novel foods, including process requirements and technical specifications, conditions of use and labeling, any exclusive rights,
– possibility of initiating consultation with the member state where the food is intended to be introduced into commerce. (4)
4) Microalgae and Novel Foods
The above preliminary analysis allows us to observe the current status of 22 microalgae.
4.1) Six traditional microalgae
The European Catalogue lists the following six microalgae as not new, because they were on the market and consumed in Europe in significant quantities before 15.5.97:
– Arthrospira platensis, a cyanobacterium known as spirulina, (5)
– Aphanizomenon flosaquae,
– Chlorella vulgaris, (6)
– Chlorella pyrenoidosa,
– Chlorella Iuteoviridis,
– Auxenochlorella prototechoides (for dietary supplements only).
4.2) Six Novel Food microalgae.
Six microalgae have already received approval for use in the EU as food ingredients, such as novel foods:
– Odontella auritam,
– Tetraselmis chuii (powder),
– Ulkenia sp. (oil),
– Schizochytrium sp. (oil. Rich in marine omega-3, DHA and EPA),
– Haematococcus pluvialis (astaxanthin-rich oleoresin),
– Dried Euglena gracilis . (7)
4.3) Three microalgae on the way.
In contrast, the permitting process is in progress for three microalgae:
– Phaeodactlyum tricornutum (oil, rich in EPA),
– Galdieria sulphuraria (dried biomass. EFSA opinion expected by 17.9.22)
– Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (powder). (8)
4.4) Seven non-new microalgae.
JRC, the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, acknowledged the existence of significant consumption experiences, prior to 15.5.97, of 32 seaweeds. Based on documents acquired in France, Italy, Belgium, Portugal, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. (9) These include 7 microalgae in addition to macroalgae, cyanobacteria and labyrinth protists:
– Chlorella sorokiniana,
– Dunaliella salina,
– Graesiella emersonii,
– Haematococcus lacustris,
– Nannochloropsis oculate,
– Parachlorella kessleri,
– Scenedesmus vacuolatus.
Research and development continue – including in Horizon 2020 co-funded projects such as #ProFuture, (10,11) #NextGenProteins, #SEAFOODTOMORROW. (12) #SDG2, #SDG3, #SDG12, #SDG14, #SDG15.
Dario Dongo, Giulia Torre
Cover image from Bioeconomy Research BW, Baden-Württemberg University
Notes
(1) Tomas Lafarga, Gabriel Acien. Cultured Microalgae for the Food Industry – Current and Potential Applications. Academic Press. 1st Edition, 2021. ISBN 9780128210802. https://bit.ly/33XGGyk
(2) Yaakob, Maizatul Azrina & Mohamed, Radin & Al-Gheethi, Adel & Gokare, Ravishankar & Ambati, Dr. Ranga Rao. (2021). Influence of Nitrogen and Phosphorus on Microalgal Growth, Biomass, Lipid, and Fatty Acid Production: An Overview. Cells. 10. 393. 10.3390/cells10020393
(3) Dario Dongo. Microalgae and Novel Food, serious uncertainties in EU. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 20.08.2020 https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/innovazione/microalghe-e-novel-food-gravi-incertezze-in-ue
(4) NB: The assessment made by one member state may not coincide with that of other member states. This can lead to the risk-already extensively verified by the writer (Dongo), starting with the application of the first European Novel Food Regulation (EC Reg. 258/97)-that the sale of a food qualified as traditional in one EU country may be irreparably hindered in other country(ies)
(5) Dario Dongo, Marta Strinati. Spirulina, the microalgae that nourishes, boosts the immune system and helps you lose weight. GIFT(Great Italian Food Trade). 2.7.20, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/progresso/spirulina-la-microalga-che-nutre-stimola-il-sistema-immunitario-e-aiuta-a-dimagrire
(6) Dario Dongo, Andrea Adelmo della Penna. Superfood microalgae, champion Chlorella. Scientific Review. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 12.10.20 https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/progresso/microalghe-superfood-la-campionessa-chlorella-rassegna-scientifica
(7) Dario Dongo, Andrea Adelmo della Penna. Microalgae, Euglena gracilis. Superfood with exclusive. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 10.01.2021 https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/innovazione/microalghe-euglena-gracilis-superfood-con-esclusiva
(8) Dario Dongo, Andrea Adelmo della Penna. Superfood microalgae, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. GIFT(Great Italian Food Trade). 19.12.20 https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/innovazione/microalghe-superfood-chlamydomonas-reinhardtii
(9) Araujo, R., Peteiro, C. (2021). Algae as food and food supplements in Europe. Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, ISBN 978-92-76-40548-1, doi:10.2760/049515, JRC125913
(10) Dario Dongo. ProFuture, microalgae to feed the planet. The EU research project. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 6/18/19, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/progresso/profuture-microalghe-per-nutrire-il-pianeta-il-progetto-di-ricerca-ue
(11) Dario Dongo, Andrea Adelmo della Penna. Adding microalgae to vegetable creams, ProFuture. GIFT(Great Italian Food Trade). 3.11.2021 https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/innovazione/aggiunta-di-microalghe-alle-creme-vegetali-profuture
(12) Dario Dongo, Andrea Adelmo della Penna. Alt Yogurt and Alt Cheese, market and criticality. ProFuture research. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 12/28/21, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/innovazione/alt-yogurt-e-alt-cheese-mercato-e-criticità-la-ricerca-profuture
(13) Dario Dongo, Andrea Adelmo della Penna. Incorporating seaweed into the diet, a promising scenario for health and the planet. #SEAFOODTOMORROW. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 18.1.22, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/innovazione/inserire-le-alghe-nella-dieta-uno-scenario-promettente-per-la-salute-e-il-pianeta-seafoodtomorrow
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
Graduated in law, master in European Food Law, she deals with agro-food, veterinary and agricultural legislation. She is a PhD in agrisystem.
