European Union legislation on macroalgae products

Lahteenmäki‐Uutela, Anu; Rahikainen, Moona; Camarena-Gómez, Maria T.; Piiparinen, Jonna; Spilling, Kristian; Yang, Baoru

doi:10.1007/s10499-020-00633-x

Cited by 87 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 81 publications

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“…It also reinforces the argument in favor of the consumers' safety with the demonstration that such traditional food has already been used for human consumption to a significant degree. Hence, widening the interpretation of the EU regulation could contribute to further flow and development in the food sector and perhaps facilitate the upscaling of climate-smart ocean practices [16,18,19] into the existing food systems and markets. By absorbing biocultural dimensions into the novel food regime this way, we might find ourselves one step closer to the effective implementation of the sustainable development goals [20].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The list is non-exhaustive and is based on information collected from the member countries. The Novel Food Catalogue comprises both European and imported seaweeds, and until the end of 2020, there were 22 seaweed species listed [19]. Further research is needed to verify and assess whether this list eventually expands to some of the species of macroalgae collected in Northern Norway/Sápmi.…”

Section: Merging Critical Legal Analysis and Empirical Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Suggesting an Extensive Interpretation of the Concept of Novelty That Looks at the Bio-Cultural Dimension of Food

Poto

Morel

2021

Sustainability

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“Novel food” in the European Union’s (EU) legal terms refers to any food that was not used for human consumption to a significant degree within the EU before 15 May 1997 (Regulation 2015/2283/EU (2015)). Placing novel food on the market requires a safety assessment when such novelty is ascertained, with the consequent need of an authorization procedure that is not required for food traditionally conceived in the EU. Studies have highlighted how such a Eurocentric proof of traditional/novel use of food results in unequal treatment of third countries, with a slowdown of their market investments in the EU market. This contribution addresses this aspect by critically examining the disparity of treatment and suggesting the adoption of a wide-ranging interpretation of food novelty that considers the biocultural context in which food is embedded. This work is based on a critical legal analysis through the hermeneutics of Reg. 2015/2283/EU (2015) and a case study on algae from Northern Norway and Sápmi, carried out by the project SECURE. We conclude that a legal interpretation connecting food to its biocultural context would contribute to qualify it as traditional and therefore facilitate its placement on the market. Our case study provides an example of the macroalgae collected in Northern Norway/Sápmi that through the criterion of the biocultural context would qualify as traditional food, without recourse to the authorization procedure. Further research could assess whether the European Commission’s list of authorized novel foods (which include algae whose status as novel food has been inquired and assessed) expands to also comprehend some of the low-trophic marine resources (LTMR) harvested in Northern Norway/Sápmi.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Merging Critical Legal Analysis and Empirical Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Suggesting an Extensive Interpretation of the Concept of Novelty That Looks at the Bio-Cultural Dimension of Food

Poto

Morel

2021

Sustainability

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“…Many factors can affect the presence of food safety hazards in seaweeds and microalgae, including species/strain, physiology, season, location, harvesting method and post-harvest treatment, among others (Banach, Hoek-van den Hil and van der Fels-Klerx, 2020). Concerns and uncertainties over the safety of algae products pose a great challenge to the promotion of their consumption in new markets where food safety guidelines or regulations tend to be stringent for precautionary purposes (Lähteenmäki-Uutela, Rahikainen and Camarena- Gómez et al, 2021;ANSES, 2020).…”

Section: Limited or Uncertain Demand For Seaweedsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seaweeds and microalgae: an overview for unlocking their potential in global aquaculture development

2021

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The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned.The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of FAO.

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“…Although seaweeds are generally regarded as healthy food ingredients, they can also accumulate toxic substances with potentially adverse health effects (Banach et al 2020). A specific European regulation is under development based on occurrence data on the levels of a broad range of potentially toxic substances in relevant seaweed species and associated health risks from their consumption (Lähteenmäki-Uutela et al 2021). Meanwhile, seaweed producers must comply with microbiological criteria and monitor levels of heavy metals, inorganic arsenic and iodine (EU No.…”

Section: Cultivated Seaweeds For Food and Feed Applicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Besides specific regulations harmonized across EU countries governing product development within food and feed applications, the production and demand for seaweed products may be impacted by other regulatory frameworks specific to each country, such as marine spatial planning and licensing procedures for cultivation at sea, as well as frameworks promoting sustainable and ecoinnovative productions (e.g. reduced taxes on low-carbon productions and removing subsidies from competitive highcarbon raw materials) (Lähteenmäki-Uutela et al 2021).…”

Section: Framework and Prospects For Establishing Lfcs In Norway And Europementioning

confidence: 99%

Landing facilities for processing of cultivated seaweed biomass: a Norwegian perspective with strategic considerations for the European seaweed industry

Stévant

Rebours

2021

J Appl Phycol

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The production of marine biomass based on seaweed cultivation is growing rapidly in Europe. One of the major challenges for the development of this new industry is associated with processing of the wet biomass harvested from cultivation sites. Efficient methods for the stabilization (i.e. procedures to maintain the integrity and safety of the biomass) and further processing of large quantities of harvested raw material are still lacking as the development of adapted technologies is often limited by significant capital investment. This study investigates the concept of landing facilities for the processing of cultivated seaweed biomass (LFCS) shared among various stakeholders as a practical mean to overcome these challenges. Qualitative data were collected during interviews with relevant stakeholders from Norway and abroad (including seaweed cultivators, technology suppliers and industrial buyers of biomass) to describe the current commercial applications for cultivated seaweeds as well as the methods used for the stabilization and processing of the biomass. This study showed that LFCS can give stakeholders the opportunity to share the costs (investment, operational), thus lowering the financial threshold for establishing efficient strategies for processing large quantities of cultivated seaweed biomass. It was identified that such a structure will increase the synergy among industrial actors along the entire value chain to stimulate innovation and facilitate the production of high-quality products from seaweeds to relevant markets (food, animal feed, nutraceuticals and cosmetics). It can also lead to a higher degree of specialization in this new industry. These premises will contribute to increase the profitability of the emerging European seaweed sector. Identification of the appropriate stabilization processes for large-scale production, definition of the role of LFCS in the seaweed value chain as well as the mode of engagement of the stakeholders in such structure are thus acknowledged as key considerations to define during the planning phase.

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European Union legislation on macroalgae products

Cited by 87 publications

References 81 publications

Suggesting an Extensive Interpretation of the Concept of Novelty That Looks at the Bio-Cultural Dimension of Food

Suggesting an Extensive Interpretation of the Concept of Novelty That Looks at the Bio-Cultural Dimension of Food

Seaweeds and microalgae: an overview for unlocking their potential in global aquaculture development

Landing facilities for processing of cultivated seaweed biomass: a Norwegian perspective with strategic considerations for the European seaweed industry

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