Join this webinar to hear from food safety experts as they explore tiered testing strategies, New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) and the evolving regulatory landscape for novel food and food improvement agent approval.
As regulatory bodies including the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) raise the bar for meeting human safety, developers of novel foods, food improvement agents and novel technologies face an increasingly complex path to market approval. Meeting these requirements demands a comprehensive understanding of testing frameworks, from early screening and hazard characterisation to full regulatory submission.
This webinar explores the science and strategy behind human safety assessment for novel food and food improvement agent development. Attendees will gain insight into tiered testing approaches spanning chemistry, metabolism, and toxicology, and will learn how New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), including insilico modelling and in vitro alternatives – are reshaping the evidentiary landscape. Equally important, the session will address the continued role of in vivo studies as a core regulatory requirement, examining how the principles of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) guide the responsible integration of animal data alongside non-animal methods to build a robust weight of evidence.
From early-phase screening assessments to regulatory-ready study designs, this session is intended for developers of all sizes navigating the intersection of innovation and compliance. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how to structure a human safety programme that is scientifically rigorous and aligned with global regulatory expectations.
You’ll learn:
- Tiered testing frameworks – how to sequence assessments from early screening to regulatory-ready studies while reducing time and cost.
- NAMs and in vitro tools – how New Approach Methodologies are reshaping the safety evidence landscape and where they currently stand with regulators.
- 3Rs integration – how in vivo studies are responsibly positioned alongside non-animal methods to build a weight-of-evidence dossier.
- Evolving regulatory expectations – what EFSA and other global authorities require for novel food authorisation.
- Live Q&A – gain direct access to expert knowledge in regulatory toxicology, metabolism, chemistry and novel food safety science.
REGISTER FOR THIS WEBINAR >>>
Is the panel discussion free?
Yes – there is no charge to watch the panel discussion, either live or on-demand.
When will the panel discussion take place?
8 October at 3PM BST
Can I watch it later?
The panel discussion will become available to watch on-demand shortly after the live webinar takes place.
What are the benefits of attending live?
You’ll be able to ask the speakers your questions, which will be answered live in the Q&A towards the end of the session.
How long will the panel discussion be?
This panel discussion will last up to an hour.
What do I need to watch this panel discussion?
All you need is a computer with an internet connection. We recommend using headphones if possible if you’re in an office environment.
Santino De’Rosa, Study Director, General Toxicology | Labcorp
Santino De’Rosa holds a BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences from the University of Suffolk and brings more than seven years of in vivo toxicology experience at Labcorp. He began his career with Labcorp as a Study Coordinator, supporting Study Directors in the conduct of GLP-compliant studies before advancing to the role of Study Director, a position he has held for the past five years.
His expertise spans a broad spectrum of study designs, from short-term dose range finding to long-term carcinogenicity and combined toxicity studies, across both pharmaceutical programs and OECD regulatory frameworks. Santino also brings significant experience in developmental and reproductive toxicology, as well as novel food safety study planning, making him a particularly valuable voice for audiences engaged in emerging food safety science.
Dr Darren Kidd PhD, Scientific Specialist & Subject Matter Expert, NAMs and In Vitro Alternatives
Dr Darren Kidd is a Scientific Specialist for the in vitro Toxicology group at Labcorp (Harrogate) who focus on in vitro alternatives and New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) spanning multiple industry sectors. He holds a degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Plymouth (UK) and a PhD in in vitro gene mutation from the University of York (UK). He has worked at Labcorp (formerly Covance) for more than 25 years and is currently responsible for the scientific development and advancement of the in vitro alternatives lab.
In that time, he has been instrumental in validating many in vitro OECD Test Guidelines as client services as well as promoting the adoption of new technologies within his department. He regularly presents at national and international scientific meetings, actively participates on multiple international workgroups and has authored or co-authored several publications with relevance to NAMs. He is also a member of the Labcorp NAMs Leadership Team.
Dr. Elizabeth Lewis, Scientific & Regulatory Adviser (Chemistry), NutraSteward
Dr. Lewis joined NutraSteward as Director in 2016. She has an established track record of providing consultancy services to clients wishing to navigate the regulatory approval processes for novel food and animal feed ingredients. Over the past 10 years, she has collaborated closely with numerous international clients to develop robust regulatory strategies to market.
She has extensive experience of the preparation, submission and stewardship of successful scientific applications for novel food and feed ingredients in Europe, the U.S. and Canada. In this role, she has advised clients on the design and placement of studies to support the safety and efficacy of a wide range of ingredients including additives, functional food ingredients and new sources of vitamins and minerals. Additionally, she has developed a strong network of contacts within European, U.S. and Canadian regulatory bodies and academic institutions.
