On 21 May 2026, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published a scientific opinion concluding that a nonapeptide-pentapeptide mixture is safe for use as a novel food under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The opinion, prepared by EFSA's Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA), assesses the safety of the mixture, which is intended for use in food supplements at a maximum daily dose of 200 mg. The assessment covers data on production, composition, specifications, and toxicological studies, finding no safety concerns for the proposed uses and use levels.
No prior coverage of this specific novel food application exists in recent EFSA records. The opinion follows EFSA's standard procedure for novel food evaluations, which includes a 9-month review period after a complete application is submitted. The mixture, composed of two synthetic peptides, is intended to support muscle health and recovery. EFSA's conclusion is that the novel food is safe under the proposed conditions of use, paving the way for the European Commission to authorize its placement on the EU market.
Stakeholder impact
The opinion primarily affects food supplement manufacturers, who may now seek to include the peptide mixture in their products. Consumers could benefit from new supplement options targeting muscle health. However, the maximum daily dose limit may restrict marketing claims. EU regulatory bodies will use the opinion to decide on market authorization, while competitors in the sports nutrition sector may face new competition. The opinion does not address efficacy claims, which remain subject to separate EU nutrition and health claims regulation.
Institutional follow-up
The European Commission will now draft an implementing regulation authorizing the novel food, based on EFSA's safety opinion. Member States will vote on the draft in the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed. If adopted, the authorization will be published in the Official Journal of the European Union, after which the product can be marketed across the EU.
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