In recent years, NMN Nicotinamide Mononucleotide powder, as a new ingredient, has quickly become popular around the world for its powerful anti-aging function. Therefore, it has become the focus of the functional health care product market. However, with the rise in popularity, NMN bulk powder has become increasingly scrutinized by regulations in countries around the world. After the ban on sales on cross-border e-commerce platforms in mainland China, NMN's compliance path was once in trouble. However, a good news that excites the industry is gradually being released: the EU intends to approve NMN as a novel food ingredient, injecting new hope into the global market compliance process of NMN.
What NMN Attracted Global Attention?
NMN is a derivative of nicotinamide. It is the direct precursor of coenzyme I (NAD+) in the human body. NAD+ is a molecule necessary for many important physiological activities such as cell metabolism, DNA repair, and mitochondrial function. Nicotinamide Mononucleotide powder is considered to be one of the most effective supplementary pathways to increase NAD+ levels in the body.
Animal studies have shown that supplementing with pure NMN powder can delay aging, improve insulin sensitivity, and promote energy metabolism and cardiovascular function. On this basis, NMN has quickly become a new favorite in the global healthcare product market. Especially among the middle-aged and elderly groups, the popularity has soared.
However, due to its short application history and relatively limited long-term safety data. Regulatory agencies in various countries are more cautious about NMN. Especially in mainland China and the United States, there is still great uncertainty about the legal status of bulk NMN powder as a food or dietary supplement.
EU Intends to Approve NMN as a Novel Food
According to the public consultation document No. PC-1537 issued by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on July 18, 2025, NMN is being proposed to be included in the Novel Food catalog. The proposal clearly states:
•Food name: β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
•Target population: Adults (18 years and above)
•Use: Can be used as an active ingredient in dietary supplements
•Recommended maximum intake: no more than 500 mg per day (500 mg/day)
•Public comment deadline: August 12, 2025
The release of this document means that Nicotinamide Mononucleotide powder has officially entered the final stage of the EU food compliance approval process. Once approved, NMN will obtain legal market access in 28 member states within the EU. Food companies and cross-border supply chains will have a solid regulatory basis, greatly enhancing the feasibility of the legal circulation of NMN.
Cross-border import of NMN is reviewed
Recently, China Customs has again put forward higher requirements for the cross-border import of NMN. It is particularly emphasized that the country (region) of origin must provide the regulatory basis for allowing Nicotinamide Mononucleotide powder as a food or dietary supplement. This undoubtedly poses severe challenges to NMN products that are not yet fully compliant.
In the past, some companies took shortcuts to bring NMN across borders to the mainland market from countries or regions with relatively loose regulations, such as Hong Kong, China, and Japan. However, this strategy is becoming increasingly difficult to circumvent regulation.
As early as May 2023, the General Administration of Customs of mainland China has banned the sale of NMN as a food ingredient on cross-border e-commerce platforms. The countries or regions included in the banned origin list include: (Taiwan) China, Macau, China, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Switzerland, Spain, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Austria, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, etc. Customs clearly stated during the inspection that Nicotinamide Mononucleotide powder products that do not comply with the regulations or technical specifications of the origin will be paid special attention to and handled. Some regions have tried to continue operations through free trade zone bonded warehouses, but the trend of stricter supervision has become an industry consensus.
Can NMN be EU's novel food?
The EU has extremely strict supervision on food ingredients. Any food that has not been widely consumed in EU member states after May 15, 1997 is considered a "novel food". It must undergo scientific evaluation and legal approval procedures.
The approval steps for Nicotinamide Mononucleotide powder as a novel food generally include:
•Application materials submission:
The applicant must submit food sources, safety assessments, recommended intakes, nutritional data, toxicology reports, etc.
•EFSA scientific evaluation:
The European Food Safety Authority conducts risk assessments and scientific analysis.
•Public opinion solicitation:
The relevant information will be made public on the EU official website to listen to opinions from all walks of life.
•European Commission Resolution:
After evaluation and solicitation of opinions, the Commission will decide whether to approve it to enter the market.
Currently, Nicotinamide Mononucleotide powder is in the third stage, the public consultation stage. If no negative feedback or objections are received, NMN's EU listing qualification will be approved in the next few months.
Significance of NMN's approval by the EU
The EU has always been regarded as the region with the strictest food regulation and the most complete system in the world. Its legal system is in an international leading position in terms of novel food evaluation, safety testing and label management. Therefore, if β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is finally officially approved as a novel food by the EU, the specific impact will be reflected in the following aspects.
Open up legal sales channels in 28 EU countries
Once Nicotinamide Mononucleotide powder is officially recognized as a novel food by the EU, it means that it can be used as a legal food ingredient or dietary supplement raw material. It can be added to related products and sold in the EU market. This change will provide a clear access path for global bulk NMN suppliers and brand owners. In particular, it clears legal obstacles for companies intending to enter the European market, which is a breakthrough of great strategic value.
Leading the adjustment of regulatory policies in other countries and regions
The EU's food regulations often have a "weather vane" effect. This includes many countries including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asian countries and parts of Latin America. Its food raw material regulatory system largely refers to or draws on EU standards. Therefore, once Nicotinamide Mononucleotide powder is approved, the regulatory authorities of these countries may re-examine the status of NMN and gradually open up its use license as a legal food ingredient. This opens up broader prospects for the global market.
Provide new compliance basis for Chinese cross-border e-commerce
Currently, Chinese cross-border e-commerce must submit "legal sales basis of food in the country of origin" during the customs clearance of products. This is an important certificate for assessing whether bonded entry is allowed. In the past, due to the lack of a clear international food identity for Nicotinamide Mononucleotide powder, customs clearance was restricted or suspended at some ports in mainland China. Once the EU becomes a compliant source country for NMN, its legal documents will serve as an effective basis, which is expected to promote cross-border platforms to resume the listing and sales of NMN products. This can open up new customs clearance channels.
Promote industry standardization
In the past, due to factors such as policy ambiguity, legal risks and market fluctuations, some companies took a wait-and-see attitude towards the Nicotinamide Mononucleotide powder business, and the industry development fell into a trough. The EU's recognition will inject a new trust foundation into NMN and encourage companies to reinvest in research and development and market promotion. At the same time, more companies will increase their investment in product quality control, raw material traceability, clinical research and efficacy verification, helping the industry as a whole to move towards a more compliant, standardized and sustainable development path.
The news that the EU is about to approve Nicotinamide Mononucleotide powder as a novel food has undoubtedly brought confidence to the global market. This also provides new hope for cross-border trade, which was once in trouble. This is not only an important turning point on the road to NMN compliance, but also indicates that global dietary supplement regulation is becoming more rational and scientific.
Although NMN's "compliance road" is long and difficult, with the EU's participation, it may accelerate the recognition and regulation of global food regulations. If companies can seize this compliance window and improve product quality, Nicotinamide Mononucleotide powder is expected to truly move towards a legal, compliant and scientific global market in the future.
Guanjie Biotech, as a high-quality Nicotinamide Mononucleotide powder supplier. Our NMN is a white crystalline powder produced using advanced freeze-drying and vacuum drying technologies, ensuring no harmful solvent residues, exceptional purity, and high stability.
We provide NMN with different bulk densities to meet various application needs:
•0.15 g/ml – Ideal for solid beverage formulations (produced by freeze-drying).
•0.55 g/ml – Suitable for filling into size 0# and 00# capsules (vacuum dried).
•0.75 g/ml – Suitable for filling into size 1# and 2# capsules (vacuum dried).
All specifications maintain a purity exceeding 99.5%, making our NMN bulk powder a reliable choice for dietary supplements, functional foods, and nutraceutical applications. Guanjie Biotech combines competitive pricing with strict quality control to support your product development and commercial success. Welcome to enquire with us at info@gybiotech.com.
