In Europe there was a determination in March 2022 that changed the classification of 5HTP. Previously it has not been stipulated specifically that extract from Griffonia simplicifolia was novel food. In March the wording changed to include Griffonia simplicifolia extract:
5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) not used in Europe as a food or food ingredient before 15 May 1997, unauthorized. 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) regardless of whether is chemically synthesised or selectively extracted from Griffonia simplicifolia seeds is considered novel in food.
However, from the UK FSA website, it looks as though it is still ok to sell 5-HTP in the UK as it is not specifically listed at this point:
The website specifically states that unless a contrary statement is listed, any decisions on the novel food status of a food made by the EU prior to the 1st of January 2021 still apply in GB. EU decisions following this date do not apply in GB.
The general opinion is that it will appear on the UK novel food list soon because no one in the EU can show significant sales prior to 1997 and no novel food application has been submitted so far, thus by default make it a novel food, even if it is not on the list.
As things stand we will continue to run this product but this is under constant review and may mean the product is discontinued at some point in the near future.
In anticipation that at some point this product will be discontinue we plan to launch a new sleep/stress complex that we hope to launch in the first quarter of 2023 - details to follow soon.