Design Thinking Principles in the Regulation of Novel Foods in the European Union and Singapore: A Comparison

The article conducts a comparative analysis of the regulatory frameworks governing novel foods in the European Union (EU) and Singapore, employing design thinking as a theoretical framework and methodological lens. The article delves into the authorization procedures for novel foods in the two jurisdictions to investigate their capacity to encourage innovation. In particular, the research focuses on the instruments adopted to facilitate communication between the authorities (the “designers”) and the applicants (the “users”) during the authorization procedure (the “service”). Taking alternative proteins as a focal point, the divergent approaches and regulatory outcomes in the EU and Singapore are discussed. The ultimate objective is to formulate policy recommendations that could enhance the EU framework’s perception among innovators and stakeholders, and foster its ability to stimulate innovation within the novel food sector.