Abu Dhabi issues guideline for tasting and sensory evaluation of novel foods

The Abu Dhabi Quality and Conformity Council (ADQCC), in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), has developed a new guideline for conducting tasting and sensory evaluation of novel foods safely. The guideline provides a framework for assessing new food technologies including cell-cultivated foods, alternative proteins, precision fermentation products and other innovative food ingredients before full UAE market approval. Companies can conduct tasting and sensory evaluation studies within a controlled research environment, addressing a gap between early-stage product development and commercial market entry. ADQCC's Central Testing Laboratory will provide laboratory verification and technical evaluation services, while ADAFSA will review trial applications and issue regulatory approvals. The guideline sets out clear requirements for product safety assessment, laboratory testing, regulatory oversight and the protection of participants in tasting trials. Abu Dhabi's diverse population gives companies strategic advantage when conducting these studies, allowing them to gauge consumer acceptance and generate research data for developing food products aimed at regional and global markets.