"Three new foods" fully open the synthetic biology channel! Requirements for application materials for safety evaluation of genetically modified microorganisms for food processing

On September 13, 2024, the National Food Safety Risk Assessment Center issued the "Requirements for Application Materials for Safety Evaluation of Genetically Modified Microorganisms for Food Processing (Trial)", indicating that new products produced by microorganisms modified by genetic engineering technology are no longer limited to the "food additives" path. But to three new foods (including new food raw materials, new food additives, new food related products) to fully open the declaration channel!

Entrusted by the National Health Commission, the National Food Safety Risk Assessment Center undertakes the technical review of new food raw materials, new food additives, and new food related products (hereinafter referred to as "three new foods"). In accordance with the relevant requirements of the National Health Commission and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, for the products that meet the conditions for the declaration of "three new foods" and involve genetically modified microorganisms in the production and processing process, the applicant shall, in accordance with the requirements of the annex, list the production process part of the declaration data of new food raw materials and new varieties of food-related products. Submit relevant data in the production process section of safety assessment data for new food additives.