Foods which have not been consumed to a significant degree within the EU prior to 1997 are classified as "novel food"; in other words, there is no history of consumption for the food in question. We cannot assess your specific product in this forum. However, we can provide general guidance and help you find further information. Below, I have included some guidance and links to our website, where you can find more information on novel food.

Determining if a food is "novel"

As a business operator you are responsible for determining whether the food you intend to sell is classified as novel. You might start, for instance, by searching the European Commission’s Novel Food status Catalogue. If the food has a Latin name we advice you to use that name in your search. The catalogue indicates for each entry, further down the page, the ‘status’ of the food:

• NOT NOVEL IN FOOD: The food is not new, does not require approval 
• NOT NOVEL IN FOOD SUPPLEMENTS: Has been used in food supplements before May 15 1997, does not require approval to be used in food supplements.
• NOVEL FOOD: The food is new and requires authorisation before it can be placed on the market.
• AUTHORISED NOVEL FOOD: The food is an authorised novel food included in the Union list.

Please note that for authorised novel foods reference is made to the Union list. It is a list of all authorised novel foods, including specifications and, in some cases, specific labelling requirements for the food. Please also note that the catalogue, as regards ‘NOT NOVEL IN FOOD’, ‘NOT NOVEL IN FOOD SUPPLEMENTS’, ‘NOVEL FOOD’, is not exhaustive.

In cases where it is uncertain whether the food has been widely consumed in the EU before 15 May 1997, you as the responsible company need to be able to demonstrate to the control authority that the food is not new, i.e. that there is a significant history of consumption for your product. Information about this can, if available, be found in for example sales history or import documents. This information and further guidance can be found on our Novel Foods website “Nya livsmedel - att tänka på för företag” under the heading ”Konsumtionshistoriken”.

In case you have examined the matter and still cannot establish whether it is a novel food, there is the possibility to make a formal request for consultation with the Swedish Food Agency. Read more here: Apply, notify or request consultation on novel foods. The application form is also available in English via our digital service: English - Consultation request for the determination of novel food status - Livsmedelsverket

Traditional food from third countries

The rules on novel food also contain rules on traditional food from third countries. Where a food from a third country (a non-EU country) has been consumed for at least 25 years by a large part of the population of that country without causing harm, it may be authorised as a traditional food from a third country. The foods falling under this category that are already authorised are included in the Union list and the EU Novel Food status Catalogue referred to above. More information is also available (in Swedish) in our webpage: Nya livsmedel - att tänka på för företag

Application for authorisation of a novel food

If you want to sell a novel food that has not yet been approved, you must submit a notification to the European Commission. More information and guidance can be found (in Swedish) on the web pages linked to above and on the following web pages: 
Ansök, anmäl eller begär samråd om nya livsmedel
e-submission in accordance with the new Novel Foods regulation - Food Safety
Nya livsmedel - Kontrollwiki