Food innovation is one of the most rapidly growing markets, and companies that focus on this area have ample opportunities to capitalize on an ever-expanding audience. Take the alternative proteins market as an example. It’s a rapidly growing industry that includes plant- and cell-based proteins and other alternative protein sources (such as fungus, algae, insects, etc). According to the Future Market Insights\u00a0report, the global alternative proteins market was estimated at USD 73.44 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 496.56 billion in 2032, growing at a CAGR of 18% during the forecast period[1]<\/a>.<\/p>\n Governments and regulatory bodies in various countries are taking steps to move towards a more sustainable future. These initiatives aim to increase the affordable food supply, improve food security, reduce food waste<\/a>, and reduce climate change’s impact.<\/p>\n This article reviews key issues to help companies understand the food innovation landscape and provide actionable insights for companies seeking to do food innovation.<\/p>\n This article is divided into six sections:<\/strong><\/p>\n Food innovation is using new ideas, technologies, and processes to create or improve existing food products. It is a term used to describe creating new products or processes in the food industry that can improve efficiency, reduce costs, or increase consumer satisfaction. It encompasses a range of activities, from creating new ingredients and formulations to developing new packaging materials. Food innovation brings together different disciplines, such as science, engineering, design, marketing, and regulatory affairs to create innovative solutions that meet the needs of consumers and society.<\/p>\n This section explores the key areas of food innovation to give you a glimpse of the landscape and how the industry is evolving.<\/p>\n Alternative proteins<\/strong><\/p>\n As people worldwide become increasingly concerned about the health, environmental, and ethical implications of consuming animal proteins, alternative proteins are emerging as a viable solution.<\/p>\n Alternative proteins are a new wave of plant-based (plant, fungi, algae), lab-cultured, and insect-based options that are alternatives to animal proteins.<\/p>\n Examples of alternative protein sources include:<\/p>\n Plant-based meat is gaining global popularity and replacing conventional meat products such as patties and sausages. People have been using tofu or tempeh to create fake meat for thousands of years, and plant-based meat is a natural outgrowth of this trend. Plant-based meat is produced directly from plants by skipping the animal and turning plant ingredients directly into meat[2]<\/a>.<\/p>\n Another type of meat substitute is lab-grown meat<\/a>, also known as cultivated meat, which is a type of food made through cell culture rather than breeding, unlike conventional or factory-farmed meat. The idea of lab-grown meat is to use a tissue sample from the original animal to grow a slab of muscle fibers. For example, a typical lab-grown burger would be made by taking cells from an actual cow and growing it in a lab to create muscle tissue which can be ground into protein and used to make a patty.<\/p>\n Countries like Singapore, facing food price increases and potential chicken shortages, have set up cultivated chicken facilities to meet food supply demand[3]<\/a>.<\/p>\n Alternative seafood products, although currently a small part of the alternative protein sector, are expanding rapidly and have a big room to grow[4]<\/a>. In Asia, customers can find popular seafood dishes made from plants, such as plant-based crab cakes, fish fillets, shrimp dumplings, and fish nuggets[5]<\/a>.<\/p>\n Edible insects are already part of the diet of approximately two billion people globally and are most popular in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Edible insects are increasingly being used as an alternative protein source for being affordable, nutritiously high in protein, and sustainable. Currently, four insect species are authorized as novel foods safe for human consumption in the EU market[6]<\/a>.<\/p>\n Insect-based animal feed <\/strong><\/p>\n Animal feed production accounts for 12% of land-use change and 6% of total GHG emissions from food[7]<\/a>. Traditional animal feed is becoming increasingly unsustainable. To address this issue, scientists are turning to alternative feed solutions, such as insect-based animal feed. Insects such as black soldier fly are being harvested and processed into feed that provides a high-nutrition value, low-cost, and sustainable option for livestock[8]<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sustainable packaging <\/strong><\/p>\n Sustainable packaging<\/a> is an important component of food system innovation. Packaging innovation aims to use renewable, recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable materials to reduce the environmental impact of packaging. Sustainable packaging includes bamboo, paperboard, cardboard, glass jars and bottles, compostable bags, and wraps made from cornstarch or plant-based cellulose.<\/p>\n Renewable energy<\/strong><\/p>\n Energy and the food system are interlinked in a number of ways. Energy is being used for the production and transportation of fertilizers and food. The increase in energy prices will affect food availability and accessibility[9]<\/a>. The current use of energy in the food and agriculture system is \u201cunsustainable because of the high dependence on fossil fuels and frequent access to energy in developing countries.[10]<\/a>\u201d The use of renewable energy in food system helps reduce the use of fossil fuel without hampering food security.<\/p>\n\n\t\tHave questions on novel food regulations? Contact RegASK experts<\/span>\n\t<\/a>\n\n Food innovation has become more important than ever as the world grapples with the effects of climate change, population growth, food supply disruption, and health concerns. From developing alternative protein sources to introducing new packaging materials, food innovators are pushing boundaries to create more sustainable and nutritious solutions that meet global demands. In this section, we will discuss the significance and importance of food innovation.<\/p>\n Enhancing sustainability<\/strong><\/p>\n The meat industry is a major source of climate change, as the greenhouse gases (GHG) released from meat production and livestock contribute to global warming. According to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), global livestock accounts for 14.5\u00a0percent of all anthropogenic GHG emissions[11]<\/a>. Cattle is responsible for the most emissions, representing about 65% of the livestock sector’s emissions. In addition, feed production and processing, land use change, enteric fermentation from ruminants, and processing and transportation of animal products are all contributing to GHG emissions.<\/p>\n Innovative foods such as lab-grown meat<\/a> and plant-based foods help reduce GHG emissions and the impact on climate change. Production of plant-based foods involves farming methods that increase the number of healthy organisms in the soil while reducing emissions of methane, nitrous oxide, and ammonia. This helps avoid the waste and environmental harms that normally come with raising live animals, such as water consumption, pollution, etc.<\/p>\n Increasing food and nutrition supply<\/strong><\/p>\n The COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, and climate disasters such as drought have disrupted the global food supply chain and caused a global food crisis. 345.2 million people are expected to be food insecure in 2023 \u2013 more than double the number in 2020[12]<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ending hunger, food security, and improved nutrition are more alarming than ever. By 2030, it’s estimated the world population will reach 8.5 billion[13]<\/a>. Alternative proteins provide a range of options for those who want to reduce their meat consumption without sacrificing nutrition and taste. These foods are nutritious and can provide various vitamins and minerals essential for good health.<\/p>\n Food innovation can help build a resilient food system, end hunger, significantly cut global emissions, and generate huge economic returns, according to a white paper published by the World Economic Forum Food Systems Initiative and the UN FAO[14]<\/a>.<\/p>\n Potentially enhancing food affordability<\/strong><\/p>\n Food prices have been increasing globally due to disruptions in food availability and rising energy costs. Climate change and extreme weather events in recent years have reduced crop harvests and food availability. The increase in fuel prices made food and fertilizer transportation more expensive and unaffordable, particularly for people living in developing nations[15]<\/a>.<\/p>\n Food innovation can be one of the measures to address food access and affordability issues. For example, in Singapore where food supplies rely heavily on imports, food innovation can help diversify sources of food supply and increase food choices, reducing the country\u2019s reliance on any single supply source and giving consumers more flexibility to purchase food based on their budgets[16]<\/a>.<\/p>\n However, in the current market, some innovative food products are more expensive than conventional foods. According to a report published by the Good Food Institute, \u201cplant-based meat premiums are even higher when comparing overall prices to conventional meat on a per-pound basis. Nielsen data demonstrates that, on average, plant-based meat is 2x as expensive as beef, more than 4x as expensive as chicken, and more than 3x as expensive as pork per pound.[17]<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n On the other hand, the costs of innovative foods can drop if producers can resolve scientific and technical hurdles and scale up their production[18]<\/a>. Take plant-based meat as an example, Liz Specht, director of science and technology at the Good Food Institute, believes that once the industry enters a large-scale production stage, the price of plant-based meat will significantly drop[19]<\/a>.<\/p>\n In conclusion, by developing new technologies in food production, companies hope to reach lower costs and higher efficiency to produce foods being more nutritious and sustainable.<\/p>\n The Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is taking a proactive and balanced approach to novel foods including alternative proteins[20]<\/a>.<\/p>\n In 2021, the FAO and the World Health Organization (WHO) submitted a discussion paper on new food sources and production systems to the 44th session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, a food standards body. Codex guidelines and standards governing this sector are yet to be made, as issues, challenges, and concerns need to be addressed within the context of a broader strategic discussion before developing such guidance, as suggested by the Good Food Institute[21]<\/a>.<\/p>\n Nonetheless, food regulators in many countries have made regulatory recommendations and guidance to protect consumers from potentially harmful innovative food products. Below is a quick overview of novel food regulations in key countries.<\/p>\n United States In general, nutritive substances use “Generally Recognized As Safe” (GRAS) procedures. However, US FDA\u00a0works\u00a0with the US Department of Agriculture to create a \u201cregulatory pathway for industry efforts to produce foods made from cultured cells of animals.[22]<\/a>” Since 2019, FDA\u2019s approach to regulating products derived from cultured animal cells involves a thorough pre-market consultation process and inspections of records and facilities as applicable[23]<\/a>.<\/p>\n Canada<\/strong><\/p>\n Health Canada, the Federal department responsible for national health policy, assesses the safety of all novel foods proposed for sale or advertising in Canada. Manufacturers are required to submit detailed scientific data for review by Health Canada before such foods can be authorized for sale. Detailed requirements for the safety assessment of novel foods can be found in the Guidelines for the Safety Assessment of Novel Foods Derived from Plants and Microorganisms[24]<\/a>.<\/p>\n European Union<\/strong><\/p>\n EU\u2019s Novel Food Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2015\/2283) governs the categorization and authorization of novel foods sold in the EU market. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) evaluates novel food applications and proposes the authorization of novel foods which are found to be safe[25]<\/a>. EU legislation and EFSA guidance documents outline the scientific information and data required for the safety evaluation of novel foods. These legislation and guidance documents can be found on EFSA\u2019s website, under the section of \u201cNovel food applications: regulations and guidance.[26]<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n Australia<\/strong><\/p>\n In Australia and New Zealand, novel foods and novel food ingredients are regulated under Standards 1.1.1 and 1.5.1 in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. The Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) regulates novel foods in Australia and New Zealand. FSANZ has a process for assessing and approving novel foods, which includes a pre-market safety assessment.<\/p>\n Singapore<\/strong><\/p>\n The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) introduced the novel food regulatory framework in 2019 requiring all novel foods to undergo a rigorous safety assessment before they can be approved for sale. SFA also outlines \u201cConditions related to Novel Food\u2019\u201d to guide companies on safety assessments[27]<\/a>.<\/p>\n China<\/strong><\/p>\n The National Health Commission (NHC) regulates novel foods in China. In 2009, the name \u201cnovel foods\u201d was changed to \u201cnew food raw materials\u201d under the Food Safety Law. NHC accepts and approves applications for new food raw materials. The regulatory framework for novel foods in China includes legislation and regulations such as the Food Safety Law, Administrative Measures for the Safety Review of New Food Raw Materials, Regulation for Application and Acceptance of New Food Raw Materials, and Safety Review Procedures of New Food Raw Materials.<\/p>\n Brazil<\/strong><\/p>\n The Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) regulates novel foods in Brazil. ANVISA requires pre-market safety assessments and approval for novel foods and novel ingredients. Brazil has specific regulations, Resolution 16\/1999 and Resolution 17\/1999, governing the approval of novel foods and novel ingredients[28]<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\t\tNeed support on novel food regulations? Contact RegASK experts<\/span>\n\t<\/a>\n\n In addition to the existing regulatory framework, governments around the world are taking proactive steps to foster food innovation. From North America to Europe and Asia Pacific, government-led initiatives create an enabling environment for food entrepreneurs to develop new products and ideas. These initiatives range from consultation programs and grants to research funding and access to data, all of which help create a supportive ecosystem for food innovators.<\/p>\n Here are a few examples of government-led initiatives:<\/p>\n Overall, these government initiatives aim to support the development of new and innovative products and technologies that can help to improve the quality, safety, and sustainability of the food supply.<\/p>\n To protect consumers, food companies seeking innovation should also ensure their products comply with regulations and meet safety standards set out by government authorities. If you are investing in the food innovation area, these are the necessary steps you can take to meet regulatory requirements:<\/p>\n Go-To-Market Regulatory e-Guidebooks <\/strong><\/p>\n Companies doing food innovation must understand the regulatory requirements for the food products they want to produce and market. RegASK’s Go-To-Market Regulatory e-Guidebooks provide a practical overview of the regulatory landscape and compliance requirements for foods and food ingredients per country to help companies achieve product compliance.<\/p>\n The regulatory topics covered by the e-Guidebooks include:<\/p>\n And more…<\/p>\n Ask RegASK Consulting Service<\/strong><\/p>\n In addition to the e-Guidebooks, RegASK also leverages a global network of local experts to help companies:<\/p>\n Read our case study Path-to-Market Success of a Novel Food Ingredient<\/a> to learn more about our service.<\/p>\n Regulatory Intelligence Platform <\/strong><\/p>\n The food industry is evolving fast, and regulatory changes are constantly occurring worldwide. RegASK’s AI-powered regulatory intelligence platform RegAlerts<\/a> helps food companies stay updated on regulatory changes impacting their businesses. The platform captures news and updates on new foods, novel food ingredients, alternative proteins, and other topics related to food innovation, allowing food innovation companies to keep track of the latest industry issues and stay one step ahead.<\/p>\n To know more about RegASK’s products and services, book a demo<\/a> to speak to our regulatory experts.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/a><\/span>\n\n
What is food innovation?<\/h2>\n
What are the key areas of food innovation?<\/h2>\n
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<\/li>\nWhy is food innovation necessary?<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nHow are regulators approaching food innovation?<\/h2>\n
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Balancing food innovation and regulatory compliance: what companies should do<\/h2>\n
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<\/li>\nHow RegASK helps companies seeking to do food innovation<\/h2>\n
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