The Food Standards Agency (FSA), in collaboration with Food Standards Scotland (FSS), has launched its Market Authorisation Innovation Research Programme (IRP).

The programme includes a new guidance hub and Business Support Service (BSS) pilot for Precision Fermentation Products.

The IRP is a one-year programme designed to enhance the UK food regulators’ capabilities and specialist expertise in regulating innovative food technologies, with a particular emphasis on precision fermentation.

FSA said that precision fermentation technologies are increasingly being used in more “innovative and complex” ways, creating new regulatory challenges, which is why they are the focus of this new programme.

Professor Susan Jebb, chair of the FSA, said: “The launch of this new research programme is the latest development in our ongoing work to support innovation in the food sector while giving consumers a wider choice of safe food.

“We know that some businesses, especially those new to the food sector, are looking for support on their journey towards authorisation. Our new Innovative Food Guidance Hub is a one-stop shop for advice on the regulation of innovative food technologies, while the new business support service provides additional information and guidance to companies who are navigating the authorisation process for their products.

“As part of the programme, we’re working to provide greater regulatory clarity to industry on how to gain market authorisation in the UK, ensuring a swifter authorisation process without compromising on food safety.”

Lord Vallance, Science Minister, said: “Clearer, smarter regulation is central to freeing businesses from unnecessary red tape, while maintaining the highest safety standards.

“By better understanding the science of food innovation and supporting industry to bring ideas to market with clear guidance, this Government funded programme will help cut the time it takes from initial research to a viable market product, giving consumers more choice and growing the economy.”

The new programme reportedly complements the work of the sandbox for cell-cultivated products, working to develop regulatory capability and knowledge of the most innovative products, with funding provided by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)’s Regulatory Innovation Office.

It will look to create new knowledge that will change and improve the approach to regulating innovative products, including:

• Boosting scientific knowledge to assess the safety of innovative food products
• Providing support to industry on how to apply for market authorisation in Great Britain (GB)
• Providing clear guidance on innovative foods.