Forward-looking risk assessment framework for novel foods

Food safety is a crucial aspect when implementing novel foods (cultivated meat, microalgae, edible insects, and precision fermentation-based food) to supply the future food demand in the world sustainably and securely. However, there is a lack of studies collating the safety concerns of these four novel foods and determining the gaps in their safety assessments. This review provides insights with a forward-looking perspective into their hazards, related safety laws, and risk assessments from major food safety authorities. Their safety considerations require further studies especially, risk profiles (chemical and biological contaminants), maximum residue levels, allergen identification, toxicological assessments, dietary reference values, metabolism, and toxicokinetic studies. Major food safety legislative bodies in the world have initiated several plans and actions to implement safety guidelines and assessment criteria for these four novel foods. Their specific guidelines should be comprehensive and accommodate all the hazards, risk levels, and alterations depending on the production variables.