EU Parliament Committee Reviews Novel Food Classification for Peptides

A committee of the European Parliament has initiated a formal review of whether certain synthetic peptides should be classified under the EU Novel Food Regulation (Regulation 2015/2283). The review could have significant implications for the legal status of peptide supplements sold within EU member states.

Under the Novel Food Regulation, any food or food ingredient that was not used for human consumption to a significant degree within the EU before May 1997 requires authorisation before it can be placed on the market. The regulation was designed to ensure that novel food products are safe for consumers, but its application to synthetic peptides has been ambiguous.

Several EU member states have taken differing approaches to peptide products. Some have treated certain peptides as food supplements subject to national food safety regulations, while others have classified them as unauthorised medicinal products. The committee review aims to establish a more harmonised approach across the single market.

Industry stakeholders have submitted position papers arguing both for and against Novel Food classification. Proponents argue that formal classification would create a clear legal pathway for compliant peptide products, while opponents contend that the authorisation process is prohibitively expensive and slow, effectively banning compounds that may have legitimate applications. The committee is expected to publish its preliminary findings by mid-2026.