EU Approves Insect-Based Ingredient for Food Consumption

The European Union has cleared a new insect-based ingredient for use in food products, signaling a shift toward sustainable protein alternatives in the region’s food industry.

The European Commission has authorized a new food ingredient derived from dried and ground mealworm larvae, which are the juvenile stage of beetles. These larvae will undergo treatment with ultraviolet (UV) light, akin to how sunlight assists human skin in synthesizing vitamin D.

This approval aligns with the EU’s initiative to incorporate more sustainable protein sources and permits up to 4% of insect-based powder in items like bread, cheese, pasta, and jams. The regulation will be implemented on February 10.

The decision is based on a scientific opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which concluded that UV-treated mealworm powder is safe when used at approved levels. EFSA highlighted that although UV treatment increases vitamin D3 content, it does not significantly impact overall dietary intake.

The agency cautioned that individuals with allergies to shellfish or dust mites might have reactions to mealworm proteins and recommended further research in this area.

The European Commission has required that foods containing mealworm powder be clearly labeled. Packages should include a statement indicating “contains vitamin D produced by UV-treatment” and must display the amount of vitamin D in the nutrition facts. Additionally, it is essential for the ingredient list to explicitly mention this insect-based component, particularly to inform consumers with allergies.

The decision supports the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) advocacy for insects as a sustainable protein source. Insects need less land, water, and feed than traditional livestock and emit fewer greenhouse gases, making them an environmentally friendly alternative.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has advocated for insect consumption as a sustainable meat alternative. In 2021, it highlighted insect farming as an eco-friendly solution to the escalating food crisis, citing its advantages in protein production and fertilizer use. By 2022, the WEF detailed five methods by which eating insects could help tackle climate change through reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with livestock farming.

The inclusion of mealworm powder expands the EU’s roster of approved insect-based foods. Prior to this, the European Commission had authorized other insects like migratory locusts and house crickets in forms such as frozen, dried, and powdered.

For many years, insects have been included in the diets of people in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Nations such as Mexico and Thailand commonly eat crickets, grasshoppers, and beetle larvae. In a recent development, Singapore has given approval for 16 insect species to be consumed by humans. Meanwhile, in the United States and Canada, insects are considered novel foods that must undergo regulatory scrutiny before being approved for consumption.