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🌱 Regulating the Future of Food Conference Preview

Writer's picture: AtovaAtova

Updated: Oct 21, 2024

Mary-Liis Kütt, Chief Innovation Officer at ÄIO and Ida Aabrandt Søndergaard, Head of Global Regulatory Affairs at Solar Foods


Ahead of the Regulating the Future of Food Conference, we speak with two of the panelists – Ida Aabrandt Søndergaard (Solar Foods) and Mary Liis Kütt (ÄIO) – about the conference sessions they are looking forward to and why communication is essential for a smoother regulatory process.


Knowledge Sharing is Essential


Ida Aabrandt Søndergaard is the Head of Global Regulatory Affairs at Solar Foods. This Finnish B2B startup produces Solein®, which is a biomass protein powder made by gas fermentation. As a novel food, Solein® has been approved in Singapore and has self-affirmed GRAS (Generally Recognised As Safe) status in the US. The company has also submitted a novel food application for the EU and the UK.


Ida will join the “Industry View” panel session at the conference on Wednesday, 23 October.


Could you tell us what you will present at the conference?


“Our panel will bring together speakers from different areas of the industry to discuss regulatory challenges and opportunities. What are our experiences, and what have we learned from them? This is a unique opportunity to share our views with other industry players and authorities to identify areas for improvement and foster collaboration, paving the way for a smoother, more efficient future.” 


Can you share some of the conference sessions you look forward to and why?


“I’m looking forward to hearing the different food safety authorities present as their talks give me an indication of what is important to them at the moment. Hopefully, they will share what their current challenges are and which industry developments they may not be up to date on. As an industry, we can then see what we can do to improve our interactions with the authorities. 


In general, it’s also great to speak with other companies and find out if they are experiencing similar challenges in the regulatory area. If there are new developments, I’m also keen to hear others’ ideas and experiences, and it’s interesting to learn more about new markets and other regulatory agencies. It’s great that the conference covers so many different regions. It’s fitting that the conference takes place in the EU because, in my view, this region is probably the most complex in terms of bureaucracy surrounding regulations, with lengthy approval processes. This can make navigating the regulatory system challenging for startups and larger companies.”


Why is a conference dedicated to regulatory developments so important?


“The conference is a fantastic place to meet industry players, trade organisations, startups, large companies, experts and representatives from different authorities and build a common understanding. 


Our ultimate goal, shared by the authorities and the industry, is to facilitate a green transition – helping us shift towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in the food industry. 


To achieve this shared goal, knowledge sharing is essential. We should encourage open communication channels, such as this conference, where we can discuss and listen to each other. It’s an intricate process, but we’re making a good start.” 


Get the Right Knowledge and Support on Time 


Mary-Liis Kütt is the CIO of ÄIO, an Estonian food-tech company that produces microbial lipids as sustainable alternatives to animal fats, coconut and palm oil. 

Mary-Liis will share her views and experiences as a panelist during the “Global Novel Food Tastings – When & How?” session on Wednesday, 23 October. Led by Ira Van Eelen, CEO of KindEarth.tech and co-founder of RESPECTfarms, this panel session will explore the practicalities, challenges and benefits of organising novel food tastings.


Can you share some of the conference sessions you are looking forward to and why?


“To be honest, it’s hard to choose! I always look forward to the updates on novel food processes in different regions. There is so much going on in the regulatory world, and staying current on what is happening in other areas can be challenging. This makes the Regulating the Future of Food Conference a great place to learn and to meet the right people to contact for the next steps in your regulatory pipeline. I especially look forward to hearing more about the regulatory updates from Israel, Switzerland and South Korea at this year’s conference.”


Are there any general topics, regulatory challenges, or industry trends that product developers and innovators should be more aware of?


“EFSA’s system of regulating novel food and other food-related topics is complex, but it is an excellent place to start as a food innovator. In my daily work on novel food topics, EFSA’s scientific opinions and regulatory guidelines provide a framework to navigate the regulatory world of launching a new product. EFSA also offers seminars and open calls where novel food companies can access the latest regulatory updates in the EU. 


One thing I have learned along the way is to ask for support from experts and consultants for the risk assessments and the gap analysis of your process and product. You may not be aware of all the details that regulatory assessments require. Getting the right support at the right time can save you time and money.”


Why is a conference dedicated to regulatory updates so important?


“I also visited the Regulating the Future of Food Conference last year. It covers all the crucial topics in our field, such as food safety regulations, novel food approval processes and international developments – topics every company and novel food consultant needs to know about. 


On top of that, the practical discussions and recommendations help me refresh my knowledge and make me aware of new developments. Getting to know the regulatory basics, other companies’ experiences, insights from EFSA’s experts and an overview of different regions’ novel food processes make the conference very comprehensive. I am proud to be on the stage and share my story at this year’s event.”


Big thank you to Mary-Liis and Ida for sharing their insights.


Join Us for Expert Insights and Discussions


Global innovation in food tech continues to grow at a rapid pace, making it vital for innovators to stay up-to-date on regulatory frameworks and developments.


Co-located with The Future of Protein Production Conference and organised in collaboration with Vireo Advisors, LLC, the Regulating the Future of Food Conference will be held in Amsterdam on 23 and 24 October.


For more information and to reserve your ticket, please click here:



Interested in last year’s conference proceedings and debates? Read our summary here: https://lnkd.in/gP_7namy



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