The advance in scientific research, innovation development and also globalization caused that consumers may come across foodstuffs with which they had not been familiar so far. As early as 1997, the European Union prescribed an approval procedure for novel foods that they have to undergo before they are first introduced on the market. First of all, experts have to assess safety and possible impact of every foodstuff on nutrition of the human. As a result, the European Commission is entitled to set conditions under which foodstuffs are used and labelled. Novel foods are inspected by the Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority as well.

Novel foods are extracted from exotic plants or animals and they were not consumed before; they are also raw materials produced by means of unconventional manufacturing technologies that have significant impact on their structure and composition. Foodstuffs composed of microorganisms, isolated from various funguses and algaes or foodstuffs with intentionally modified molecular structure are included in this category as well. These foodstuffs may range from exotic sort of fruits to edible insects or foodstuffs produced thanks to nanotechnologies.

Pulp of Baobab, purified oil from seeds of Purple Viper's Bugloss, milk products enriched by plant sterols, potato proteins, fruit based products pasteurized under high pressure or Tahitian juice Noni, which is extracted from fruits of Morinda Citrifolia plant, belong now to approved novel foods or raw materials. Noni juice is also available as a food supplement in our country.

To the contrary, deer antler powder, Nangai nuts or iodine-enriched eggs of wild birds were rejected. The issue of dried leafs of plant Stevia Rebaudiana, which could serve as a natural sweetener, is broadly discussed. However, the European Commission did not approved this plant as a novel food in 2000, as its safety had not been proved enough. Although the Commission currently deals with already second application for approval regarding this plant, it cannot be used for nutritional purposes.