In the local supermarkets, we could soon get some rather unusual dishes: a new EU law comes into force on Tuesday, according to which other insect species will be approved as food in the future.
In particular, house crickets can be offered as food frozen, dried or powdered. Two days later, this also applies to larvae of the grain mold beetle. Similar rules already exist for grasshoppers and flour beetle larvae. “There are currently eight other applications for the authorization of insects for food,” says the EU commission.
Usage must be specified
According to the EU Commission, manufacturers must apply for approval for every insect they want to put on the market. If insects are used in food, it must be labelled: the species name must appear in the ingredient list. “Food safety is the highest priority for the Commission,” said a spokeswoman for the German news agency. As for the insects, the authority can confirm that they are safe.
Are part of the usual kitchen in many places
Insects are considered nutritious and high in protein and are part of the regular diet in many countries. They can also contribute to a sustainable diet because they can be grown in a relatively resource-efficient way. However, there may be risks for allergy sufferers. Appropriate allergy information is mandatory, the European Commission emphasizes.
“No one is forced to eat insects,” the committee said on Twitter. Everyone can decide for themselves whether or not to buy food from or with insects.
Not a novelty for sale in Austria
In some EU countries, including Germany and Austria, snacks and pasta with insects have been on sale for some time. Transitional rules apply to this. The European Court of Justice ruled that whole insects do not fall under the old rules for novel foods.
However, the old specifications have now been revised and since 2018, whole insects are also considered novel foods and must go through the corresponding approval process.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
