As Europe prepares to launch its first-ever Biotech Act, the spotlight is on how this can unlock the full potential of biotechnology—not just in health and pharmaceuticals, but also in the food industry. With the food sector facing mounting pressures around sustainability, nutrition, and innovation, a robust policy framework for the implementation of biotech in the food industry is no longer optional—it’s essential.
What Is the European Biotech Act?
Announced by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in 2024, the European Biotech Act aims to bring biotech “from the laboratory to the factory and then onto the market.” It’s part of a broader push to boost Europe’s competitiveness in biotechnology and biomanufacturing, with the Act expected to simplify regulatory processes and accelerate innovation across sectors. This is also an important goal of the Biotech4Food project and why we advocate for the importance of food biotechnology in such policies.
While early drafts focused heavily on healthcare, recent developments confirm that food biotechnology will be a central pillar of the Act’s second phase, expected in 2026.
Why Food Biotechnology Matters
Biotechnology has long been part of Europe’s food tradition—from fermentation in cheese and wine to enzyme production in baking. Today, it’s evolving rapidly, with precision fermentation, microbial proteins, and cultivated ingredients offering sustainable alternatives to traditional food production. These innovations might have a positive impact on environment, enhanced food safety and nutrition, diversified protein sources and improved resource efficiency. But without supportive policy, these solutions risk being stuck in the lab.
The Policy Gaps Holding Back Food Biotech
Europe’s current regulatory landscape is fragmented and slow-moving. The Novel Foods Regulation, for example, requires lengthy and expensive approval processes that can stall innovation for years. Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) legislation is among the strictest globally, often focusing more on the process than the product outcome
Start-ups face a “valley of death” between pilot testing and commercialisation, with limited funding and high regulatory hurdles. This has led to calls for:
- Regulatory sandboxes to test innovations under controlled conditions
- Case-by-case authorisations based on risk levels
- A shift from process-based to product-based regulation
What a Strong Biotech Act Should Include
To truly support food biotechnology, the Biotech Act must go beyond regulatory reform. Experts and stakeholders recommend:
- A cross-sectoral industrial strategy that treats food biotech on par with health and energy
- Public–private partnerships to scale infrastructure and funding
- Harmonised EU regulations to reduce market fragmentation
- Support for operational excellence, including energy and waste optimisation in biotech production
Europe’s Opportunity to Lead
With global competitors like the US and China advancing rapidly in food biotech, Europe must act decisively. The Biotech Act is a chance to position Europe as a leader in sustainable food innovation—if it includes food as a strategic dimension and provides the tools for implementation.
It is possible to still give input and feedback for the Biotech Act until November 10! https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/14627-Biotech-Act/public-consultation_en
