by the Sultanate of Oman and IUFoST

A side event entitled “Novel foods and novel ingredients in the Near East: Unlocking innovation through regulation” was held on the margins of the Twelfth Session of the FAO/WHO Coordinating Committee for the Near East (CCNE12) in Muscat, Oman.

Co-organized by the Sultanate of Oman and the International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) through its disciplinary group, the Global Food Regulatory Science Society (GFoRSS), the session explored how Codex principles can guide modernization of regulatory frameworks for novel foods.

Speakers from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman shared experiences on enabling innovation—ranging from precision fermentation to valorization of traditional crops such as dates. Participants supported establishing a regional platform under CCNE to exchange experiences, promote reliance mechanisms, and develop guidance aligned with Codex, ensuring that innovation contributes to safe, sustainable, and diversified food systems across the Near East.

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Unlocking innovation through regulation

Photo credits © Food Safety and Quality Center, Oman