EU Novel Food Investor Framework

Innovative food products – such as new plant-based proteins, fermented ingredients, or cultivated meat – are crucial for a sustainable food system. To responsibly bring these innovations to market, Europe has a approval system: the novel food regulation.

Market access is complex and costly, but approval provides direct access to half a billion consumers and international recognition. To give investors and entrepreneurs more clarity and support, Invest-NL, Forward Food Law, and GFI Europe developed the Novel Food Investor Framework.  

The framework maps out the different routes to market access, including alternative scenarios such as petfood or non-EU markets. It also provides practical tools for investors: from timelines and costs to the risks and strategic opportunities of each route. By making regulations more transparent, we aim to encourage more investors to enter this rapidly growing market.