Flour moths are edible, nutritious, sustainable insects. EFSA, the European Food Safety Authority, gives a favorable opinion. (1)
In fact, the larvae of the flour moths under examination have an average protein content of 58.4 g/ 100 g, almost three times that of meat. And the content of individual amino acids is higher than that of the various foods used for comparison (barley, fish, brewer’s yeast, beef, shellfish).
The European Commission is thus preparing, on solid scientific grounds, to authorize Tenebrio molitur larvae as novel foods. Awaiting further opinions on other insects, such as crickets and silkworms. (2)
Flour moths, the opinion of EFSA
The EFSA Scientific Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergies has ascertained the safety of consuming driedyellow mealworm larvae by humans. Be they whole or powdered, such as ingredients in pasta or cookies, protein snacks and bars, ready meals, etc. With only the caveat of possible sensitization and allergic reactions by consumers allergic to crustaceans and dust mites.
The permit application had been proposed by a French company, SAS EAP Group, on 13.2.18. And it took three years, well beyond the ordinary deadlines stipulated by the Novel Food regulation (EU reg. 2015/2283), to obtain the expected opinion from the European Food Safety Authority. Indeed, Ermolaos Ververis – coordinator of the expert group that drafted the opinion, as well as a great scholar of entomology (3) – explains that ‘insects are complex organisms, which makes characterizing the composition of food products derived from them problematic.’ (2)
Scientific studies and trade secrets
EFSA considered the extensive scientific literature available to assess the absence of toxicity profiles in flour moth larvae. And consulted the applicant, to verify the substantial absence of chemical contamination by heavy metals and mycotoxins. The production of food of animal origin, as a reminder, is subject to special regulations (reg. EC 853/04, Animal Health Package) aimed at ensuring complete control of disease and any possible chemical, physical and microbiological contamination.
The applicant However, it required the protection of proprietary data – i.e., a kind of trade secret provided by the regulation Novel Food (EU reg. 2015/2283, Art. 26)-not only on its thermal drying process, but even on contaminant analysis, analytical data on chitin levels, data on oxidative and microbiological status during storage, and allergenicity testing. (1) Thus, the recognition of exclusive authorization is heralded, which appears to be completely unjustified, given that:
– the data underlying the risk analysis should be fully accessible to the public, in the case of novel foods as in the case of pesticide active substances,
– a thermal drying process, no matter how ‘innovative’ and ‘secret,’ should not justify exclusivity over the placing on the domestic market of novel foods that are themselves safe. In the case of insects as in that of microalgae, where a similar anomaly was recently found in the case of Euglena gracilis.
Flour moths, consumption traditions
The tradition of consuming flour moths, either as part of the usual diet or for medicinal purposes, is widespread in several non-EU countries. Scientific literature reports on them in Asia (Thailand, China) and Latin America (Mexico). Small yellow worms also qualify as edible insects in other countries, such as:
– Korea. Following appropriate authorization for consumption by the Korean Food and Drug Administration, KFDA),
– Australia and New Zealand. There, flour moths are considered commonplace foods, neither traditional nor new (FSANZ, 2020),
– Switzerland. Since 1.5.17, Tenebrio molitor larvae can be legally introduced into the Swiss market as food (whole, minced or ground).
Edible insects, habits and prospects
Previous studies on entomophagy indicate current consumption habits of about 2,000 species of edible insects by about 2 billion people, or 26 percent of the global population (now estimated at about 7.8 bn individuals). Indeed, the need to ensure food security (the second of the 17 SDGs, on the UN 2030 agenda) postulates the development of sustainable sources of protein. (4) Cereals and legumes, microalgae and hemp, but also insects.
The breeding of edible insects has spread rapidly since the early 2000s across continents, including Europe (5,6). Not even-in fact, not yet-in Italy, except for productions with foreign food destiny and those for feed use. (7) Moreover, the largest survey conducted so far in Italy, just with the support of our website, shows an unexpected propensity of Italian consumers toward the consumption of foods with insect meal. (8)
Dario Dongo and Alessandra Mei
Notes
(1) EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA). (2020). Safety of dried yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor larva) as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. EFSA Journal, Volume 19, Issue 1. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6343, https://efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6343
(2) EFSA, Edible insects and scientific evaluation of novel foods. Press release 13.1.21. https://www.efsa.europa.eu/it/news/edible-insects-science-novel-food-evaluations
(3) Kooh, P. , Ververis, E. , Tesson, V. , Boué, G. , Federighi, M. (2019). Entomophagy and Public Health: A Review of Microbiological Hazards. Health, 11, 1272-1290. doi: 10.4236/health.2019.1110098.
(4) Dario Dongo. Microalgae and insects, the search for sustainable proteins in Horizon 2020. GIFT(Great Italian Food Trade). 5/27/20, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/innovazione/microalghe-e-insetti-la-ricerca-di-proteine-sostenibili-in-horizon-2020
(5) Dario Dongo. Insects to eat? A reality in the making. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 2/28/17, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/nessuna-categoria/insetti-da-mangiare-una-realtà-in-divenire
(6) Dario Dongo. Insects at the table in the EU. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 28.2.17,
https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/idee/insetti-a-tavola-in-ue
(7) Dario Dongo. Insects, Italy no. GIFT(Great Italian Food Trade). 8.2.18, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/nessuna-categoria/insetti-italia-nì
(8) Dario Dongo. Insect foods, the largest survey ever conducted in Italy. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 1/30/19, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/mercati/alimenti-con-insetti-il-più-ampio-sondaggio-mai-condotto-in-italia
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
Graduated in Law from the University of Bologna, she attended the Master in Food Law at the same University. You participate in the WIISE srl benefit team by dedicating yourself to European and international research and innovation projects.
