Kenari Nuts Receive UK Novel Food Authorisation
Dried Kenari Nuts (Canarium indicum L., synonymous with Canarium amboinense Hoch.) have received Novel Food authorisation for the Great Britain market, marking another important milestone in the international development of this distinctive Indonesian forest nut.
The authorisation, recorded by the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) under NOVEL-174, came into force on 30 October 2026.
For Kawanasi, this achievement builds on years of work to introduce Kenari to international markets, following the European Union's Novel Food authorisation in 2023, which followed a notification initiated by Kawanasi.
Together, the EU and Great Britain authorisations represent significant progress in establishing Kenari as a food ingredient for international markets.
FROM EASTERN INDONESIA TO EUROPE AND GREAT BRITAIN
Kenari is a traditional forest nut originating from Eastern Indonesia. It has long been part of local food traditions, yet has remained relatively unfamiliar to consumers and food industries in many international markets.
Bringing a traditional food into new markets requires more than introducing an unfamiliar ingredient. It involves establishing its identity, addressing food safety requirements, generating relevant scientific evidence and navigating regulatory frameworks.
With authorisation for the Great Britain market, covering England, Scotland and Wales. together with the existing EU authorisation applicable in Northern Ireland, Kenari now has an established regulatory authorisation pathway across Europe.
These developments are important not only for Kenari, but also for the wider opportunity to bring traditional foods from biodiversity-rich regions into international food systems.
MORE THAN A REGULATORY APPROVAL
Regulatory authorisation is an important foundation for market development. It provides a framework within which businesses can explore an ingredient, subject to its authorised conditions of use and applicable food regulations. But the significance of this achievement extends beyond market access.
Kenari represents a traditional food resource from one of the world's biodiversity-rich regions. Its journey demonstrates how local food resources can gain wider relevance when traditional knowledge is connected with scientific evidence, responsible development and international regulatory processes.
For Kawanasi, the work has involved more than introducing a nut to new markets. It has required building knowledge and capabilities across sourcing, post-harvest handling, processing, quality, organic certification and product development.
This is how a relatively unfamiliar forest food can begin to move from a local resource towards a recognised ingredient with international commercial potential.
A DISTINCTIVE INGREDIENT WITH NEW POSSIBILITIES
Kenari offers something distinctive to the food industry. Its naturally creamy and buttery character, rich flavour and appealing texture create opportunities for different food experiences and applications.
From snacks and confectionery to bakery, spreads and other food innovations, Kenari invites food manufacturers and product developers to explore a different ingredient from Indonesia.
Its potential is not limited to introducing another nut to an existing product category. It also offers an opportunity to broaden the range of ingredients available to food innovators and contribute to greater diversity in the global food landscape.
For distributors, retailers and manufacturers, the EU and Great Britain authorisations provide an important regulatory foundation for exploring commercial opportunities with Kenari, within the scope of the relevant authorisations.
WHY THIS MATTERS BEYOND KENARI
The development of Kenari raises a broader question about the future of food.
The world has access to an extraordinary diversity of plants and food resources, yet international food markets rely on a relatively narrow range of familiar ingredients.
Developing underrepresented traditional foods can help expand this diversity while creating new economic opportunities for their places of origin.
In Eastern Indonesia, Kenari comes from forest landscapes where biodiversity, local knowledge and livelihoods are closely connected.
Creating greater value from forest-based food resources offers a different development pathway: one that recognises standing forests not merely as land awaiting conversion, but as living ecosystems that can sustain food resources, livelihoods and economic activity.
This requires collaboration across communities, businesses, researchers, policymakers and markets.
Kenari is one example of what becomes possible when these different elements come together.
THE NEXT CHAPTER: CONNECTING KENARI WITH THE WORLD
The EU and Great Britain authorisations are important milestones, but they are not the end of the journey.
The next chapter is about translating regulatory progress into real market opportunities: developing products, building commercial partnerships, expanding consumer awareness and strengthening the supply chain behind Kenari for EU, UK and beyond..
Kawanasi continues to work across the Kenari value chain, connecting its origins in Eastern Indonesia with international food businesses and consumers.
We believe that the future of food will depend not only on how much we produce, but also on how well we discover, develop and value the diversity of food resources already around us.
Kenari is more than a nut. It is an opportunity to connect biodiversity, food innovation and economic value.
EXPLORE THE KENARI OPPORTUNITY
Whether you are a food manufacturer, distributor, retailer or product developer, we invite you to discover what Kenari could bring to your market.
Kenari Nuts
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East Forest
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Kenari for Business
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ABOUT KAWANASI
Kawanasi works across sourcing, processing, quality, organic certification, product development and international markets, with Kenari Nuts at the heart of its work.
From responsible sourcing in Eastern Indonesia to introducing Kenari to international markets, Kawanasi aims to create value from distinctive Indonesian natural food resources while contributing to opportunities for people, forests and future generations.
Official regulatory reference: UK Food Standards Agency, Novel Food Authorisation NOVEL-174, Application RP-2323.