Plant Based Foods - Regulatory and Safety considerations for New Product Development (NPD)

Chair: Shaun Kokott MSc, FIFST - Head of Retail & Supply Chain, Supply Chain In-Sites

Shaun Kokott has worked for over 20 years’ in the food industry, gaining a wealth of experience in food safety, quality, regulatory, and compliance within FMCG environments. Shaun has a robust background in manufacturing, certification, and mass catering, making him a versatile and knowledgeable leader in the field. He has extensive experience working with retailers, food service, quick service restaurants, suppliers, and 2nd/3rd party manufacturers.

Chair: Melanie Bulger - Head of Regulatory UK and Ireland, Danone

At Danone, Melanie leads a team covering Specialised Nutrition, Waters, Dairy and Plant Based Foods.  Her previous experience includes a2 Milk Company, Mead Johnson Nutrition, Clasado Biosciences and The Bountiful Company. As a registered Nutritionist, Melanie enjoys working in regulatory affairs, are providing a solution focussed approach to drive business in a compliant & health orientated way.  As chair of the IFST Food Regulatory SIG, Melanie and the group of regulatory professionals,  drive awareness of topics such as labelling, health and nutrition claims, regulated products and novel foods, food stands and official controls/regulation, through webinars and workshops.

Speaker: Dr Hannah Lester - CEO and Principal Consultant, Atova Consulting

Hannah has over 18-years’ experience in regulatory affairs, helping clients world-wide obtain regulatory approval for veterinary medicines, animal feed and human food in the EU and other global markets. Hannah is a leading expert in alternative proteins and innovative food and feed technology and along with assisting Atova´s clients, she also supports industry associations, non-governmental organizations, and governmental agencies to help them develop new approaches for the risk assessment and risk management novel foods, and drive policy change. Hannah supports Cellular Agriculture Europe, where she is actively working with stakeholders to pave the way for a smoother and more predicable approval process for novel foods in the EU. She is also a mentor for the ProVeg Incubator, Big Idea Ventures, Mass Challenge and the GEC Catalyst Program.

Presentation Title: Assessing the novel food status of plant-based foods.

Abstract: This presentation explores the assessment process for determining the novel food status of plant-based foods. It examines the criteria used to assess whether plant-based products fall in scope of the novel food regulation and highlights challenges faced by food business operators in evaluating the novel status of innovative plant-based products.  Additionally, the pros and cons of submitting an Article 4 novel food consultation will be outlined. The goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the implications and responsibilities involved in assessing the novel status of plant-based foods.

Speaker: Joshua Ravenhill - Head of Policy Priorities, Food Standards Agency

Josh is the head of policy priorities at the FSA and manages its cell-cultivated product (meat/fat) policy and strategy. He leads the FSA in developing a better understanding of the technology, ingredients, and processes used to produce cell-cultivated products so that it can make informed regulatory decisions about their safety, whilst still supporting innovation.

Presentation Title: Wider considerations for regulated products in NPD.  The FSA’s approach to innovative technologies - what a food business should consider when developing a regulated product, with a focus on cell-cultivated products 

Abstract: In this presentation, Josh will outline the FSA’s regulatory process, what companies should consider when developing innovative food products, and – crucially- how they should factor regulatory assessment at the earliest stages of product development. He will also outline the work the FSA has been doing to regulate innovative technologies, demonstrating its plans for the regulation of cell-cultivated products.