Westminster Food & Nutrition Forum has unveiled speakers for its ‘Next steps for novel foods in the UK’ conference on Thursday 25th April.

The conference will aim to examine the future of novel foods in the UK, with stakeholders and policymakers discussing next steps for novel food regulation and innovation following the publication of the Novel Foods Regulatory Framework Review (commissioned by the Food Standards Agency) last year.

Speaking at the conference will be Rebecca Sudworth, director of policy, Food Standards Agency; Dr Adrian Charlton, principal scientist in protein biochemistry and food safety, Fera Science; Professor Louise Manning, professor of sustainable agri-food systems, University of Lincoln; and Teng Yong Low, director, risk assessment and communications department, Singapore Food Agency.

Sessions in the agenda include:

• Novel foods in the UK – examining the future regulatory approach, opportunities for reform and support for industry innovation alongside safety
• Novel Foods Regulatory Framework – assessing recommendations made in the review, options for addressing barriers to innovation and next steps moving forward
• Regulation – options and priorities for standards and improving application processes, enabling innovation whilst ensuring safety and learning from international regulatory approaches
• Food security – opportunities for the sector supporting food security and mitigating supply chain disruptions, as well as improving food system sustainability and adaptation to climate change
• Assessing key developments – emerging consumer trends, technological innovations and learning from international regulatory frameworks to enhance safe approaches towards novel foods in the UK
• UK market growth – priorities for policy and the sector, aligning innovation and regulation to bring product launches to the UK, support and guidance for product approval and investment priorities.

The session will also look at consumer trends including alternative proteins and cultivated meat, edible insects, CBD, genetic modification, next steps for labelling and transparency and health claims.

Policy priorities, which include support for investment, resources and infrastructure to support research and entrepreneurship into novel foods and the future food system, will be another topic of conversation.