Ashwagandha safety data presented to EU Parliament as UK Novel Foods Network expands
Industry experts have presented substantial safety data for ashwagandha to the European Parliament, aiming to pre-empt potential EFSA restrictions. Concurrently, the UK's Novel Foods Experts Network expands into Europe with a new investment.
Brussels, Belgium — 20 July 2026
The ashwagandha sector is proactively addressing potential regulatory scrutiny within the European Union. Industry representatives and scientific experts convened at the European Parliament on 14 July to present a dossier of clinical evidence supporting ashwagandha's safety. This pre-emptive action comes as European regulators consider initiating an Article 8 review by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), a process that could result in restrictions, new labelling requirements, or even a ban on the botanical.
Organised by Kerry Group and hosted by MEP Sean Kelly, the meeting marked the formal launch of the "Safeguard Ashwagandha" initiative. Its objective is to ensure that regulatory decisions are informed by the extensive body of peer-reviewed safety data. Dr. Thomas Brendler, University of Illinois Chicago, and Dr. Mukesh Summan, Global Director of Toxicology at Kerry Group, presented comprehensive clinical evidence. Following the presentations, MEP Kelly indicated that the strength of the compiled data could expedite any EFSA assessment, stressing the importance of factual information to counter potential misinformed campaigns.
Concurrently, the Novel Foods Experts Network UK (NFX UK) has secured $650,000 in investment from Coefficient Giving to expand its services across Europe. Led by Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL), NFX UK, launched in September 2025, provides support to innovators navigating Novel Foods dossier preparation. This investment is part of a broader international expansion strategy, allowing NFX UK to deepen its domestic impact while extending its reach into the European market.
What this means for United Kingdom
UK brand owners relying on ashwagandha need to monitor the EU's Article 8 review closely, as parallel concerns or harmonisation efforts could impact UK market access. Reformulation windows should be assessed for ashwagandha-containing products, necessitating proactive dialogue with suppliers and regulatory affairs teams. Opportunities exist for UK companies to leverage the expanded NFX UK network, reducing lead times and costs for new ingredient approvals within both the UK and EU regulatory frameworks. This move enhances compliance certainty for novel ingredients entering key European markets, offering a competitive advantage for agile manufacturers.
The NutraIngredients USA Awards 2026 winners were also announced, celebrating innovation across 16 categories, including ingredients and finished products. This year saw the highest number of entries, highlighting intense competition and advancements within the North American supplement industry. While a US-centric award, the recognition of innovation often signals emerging ingredient trends and commercial opportunities that may eventually penetrate the UK and European supplement markets.
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