Novel food generally refers to food which was not consumed in the EU to a significant degree before May 1997, i.e. before the current Regulation entered into force and in particular to food produced using new techniques and technologies, such as nanomaterials.
Uuendtoidu puhul viidatakse üldiselt toidule, mida ei ole ELis enne 1997. aasta maid (st enne käesoleva määruse jõustumist) ulatuslikult tarbitud, ning eelkõige toidu tootmisele uuenduslike meetodite ja tehnoloogiate abil (näiteks nanomaterjalid).