The Netherlands has become the first EU country to allow public tastings of novel foods produced through fermentation. This new policy applies to products made using precision and biomass fermentation techniques, including animal-free alternatives such as cheese, eggs, and fats.
Under this policy, companies can host tasting events for these fermentation-based products prior to receiving full market authorization. The tastings will take place in controlled environments, with safety protocols in place.
“The Netherlands shows how national guidance can complement the EU’s world-class food safety rules”
Companies must submit detailed applications, including information about the microorganisms used and the production process, which will be reviewed by an independent Expert Committee. The committee, composed of specialists in toxicology, microbiology, and ethics, will assess whether the products are safe for public consumption in these limited quantities.
Seth Roberts, senior policy manager at the Good Food Institute Europe (GFI Europe), commented on the significance of this policy, saying, “By enabling safe public tastings of fermentation-made foods, the Netherlands shows how national guidance can complement the EU’s world-class food safety rules and drive innovation.”
One year to prove the policy’s impact
The approval of public tastings is seen as an important step for the development of fermentation-based food products, which are viewed as more sustainable alternatives to traditional food production methods. Precision fermentation, for example, could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 72% and require up to 99% less land compared to conventional food production. Biomass fermentation, used to create plant-based meats, is another key area of development in the Netherlands.
The Dutch government has been supportive of fermentation technology, with the National Growth Fund allocating €60 million in 2022 to advance precision fermentation. The new policy will be piloted for one year, after which its effectiveness will be evaluated. If successful, it may be expanded or adopted by other EU countries.
