The European Commission has released the new Biotech Act, which aims to enhance the EU's competitiveness in biotechnology, with a focus on the health sector and the commercialization of techniques like precision fermentation. While some aspects of the Act, such as expanded regulatory advice for new foods and clear application processes, have been welcomed by industry stakeholders, the exclusion of novel foods from regulatory sandboxes has been criticized as a missed opportunity for dialogue and evidence-based regulation.

Nonprofit think tank GFI Europe has called for the inclusion of novel foods in regulatory sandboxes and urged the Commission to introduce ambitious financing measures in the upcoming Biotech Act Part II. This new financing could help startups struggling to bring fermentation products to market, ultimately contributing to green growth, reducing reliance on imports, and enhancing competitiveness in the EU.