Five years after the first debates on the pros and cons of insects at the table (1,2), their approvals as Novel Food in the European Union are beginning to follow.
European consumers’ attitudes toward this novelty seem favorable, as already noted in the first survey conducted in Italy on this very site. (3)
In the meantime, Europe is investing in research into new protein sources in its Horizon research programs. Microalgae and insects in the first place (4.5). State of the art to follow.
1) Background. Insects and novel foods
Reg. EC 258/97 introduced the European regulation of novel foods, novel foods, defined as ‘any food and food ingredient not yet used to a significant degree for human consumption in the Community before May 15, 1997.’
Reg. EU 2015/2283, in repealing reg. EC 258/97, extended the scope of novel foods to those ‘consisting of, isolated or obtained from animals or parts thereof‘ (Art. 3.2.V). These include insects, not also animals derived from cloning.
2) Food safety first
The placing of novel foods on the EU market is subject to the issuance–by the European Commission, assisted by thePlants, Animals, Food and Feed (PAFF) Committee–of a prior authorization covering product requirements, conditions of use and consumer information.
The authorization is based on the scientific evaluation of the food safety of the candidate novel food by EFSA(European Food Safety Authority). Based on the process and product data sheets, analyses, scientific bibliography and studies produced by the applicant attached to the dossier. (6)
3) Authorization of insects as novel food in EU.
3.1) Already authorized insects
In 2021-2022, after several years of waiting, the procedures for authorization as novel foods of the first three insect species were favorably concluded.
– Tenebrio molitor (dried yellow mealworm, flour moths). Tenebrio molitor larvae are the first insect-based novel food authorized in the EU. (7) Dried, frozen and powdered (EU reg. 2021/882, EU reg. 2022/169),
– Locust migratory
. Frozen and dried preparations made from migratory locust were authorized as novel food by reg. EU 2021/1975, (8)
– Acheta domesticus
(house cricket). Whole and ground, frozen and dried domestic crickets authorized by reg. EU 2022/188. (9)
3.2) In-process clearances on already allowed insects
The three insect species already approved as novel foods are then the subject of six pending applications and two more likely to go on file:
(a) tenebrio molitor
– flour moth meal (EFSA-Q-2019-00748). Dossier submitted 21.11.19 by Nutri’Earth (France), EFSA opinion due 28.3.22,
– Protein-rich flour obtained from fresh flour larvae(Tenebrio molitor. EFSA-Q-2021-00105). Anonymous dossier submitted 24.2.21, evaluation expected 10.6.22,
– Flour moths. Dossier submitted on 9/28/18 by Belgian Insect Industry Federation (EFSA-Q-2018-00746). Conclusion of risk analysis expected on 10/30/22,
(b) migratory locust
Dossier
submitted on 6/20/18 by Belgian Insect Industry Federation (EFSA-Q-2018-00513). There are no updates (presumed archiving),
(c) acheta domesticus
– acheta domesticus. Dossier submitted by Belgian Insect Industry Federation on 3.7.18 (EFSA-Q-2018-00543). There are no updates (presumably closed),
– Powder of defatted whole cricket(Acheta domesticus). The application was filed on 10.9.19 by Cricket One No Ltd (Vietnam. EFSA-Q-2019-00589). Opinion expected by 8.4.22,
– dried cricket. Application submitted on 17.11.20 by National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thailand (EFSA-Q-2020-00748). There are no updates.
– Acheta domesticus meal (EFSA-Q-2021-00262). Submitted by anonymous on 11.5.21. Estimated date for completion of risk analysis 26.10.22.
3.3) Other insects under evaluation
EFSA is also evaluating the safety of seven other edible insects:
Gryllodes sigillatus
Gryllodes sigillatus
(house tropical cricket). The approval of striped crickets was applied for on 3/21/18 by SAS EAP Group – Micronutris (France. EFSA-Q-2018-00263). Estimated date for completion of risk assessment, 16.4.22.
Alphitobius diaperinus
Alphitobius diaperinus (beetle) buffalo wormlarvae are the subject of the two applications for approval by Protifarm Holding NV (Netherlands):
– Whole and ground larvae products of Alphitobius diaperinus (EFSA-Q-2018-00282). Dossier submitted 10.4.18, EFSA opinion due 3.3.22,
– buffalo worm protein powders. The Instance 30.10.19 (EFSA-Q-2019-00690), EFSA analysis expected 13.6.22.
Hermetia illucens
Hermetia illucens
( soldier black fly). Dossier submitted on 1/28/19 by Enorm Bifactory A/S (Denmark. EFSA-Q-2019-00046). Scheduled date for completion of the risk analysis phase, 9/27/22.
Apis mellifera
Apis mellifera
(European honey bee). Dossier submitted by Finnish Beekeepers’ association on 3/22/19 (EFSA-Q-2019-00201). Estimated date for completion of the risk analysis phase 13.3.23.
Time flies!
Dario Dongo
Notes
(1) Dario Dongo. Insects to eat? A reality in the making. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 18.2.17, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/nessuna-categoria/insetti-da-mangiare-una-realtà-in-divenire
(2) Dario Dongo. Insects at the table in the EU. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 9.2.18, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/idee/insetti-a-tavola-in-ue
(3) Carlotta Totaro Fila, 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
(4) Dario Dongo, Andrea Adelmo Della Penna. 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, Andrea Adelmo Della Penna. Protein for the future, novel food. Challenges and opportunities in EU. FARE(Food and Agriculture Requirements). 12/15/21, https://www.foodagriculturerequirements.com/archivio-notizie/proteine-per-il-futuro-novel-food-sfide-e-opportunità-in-ue
(6) Dario Dongo, Andrea Adelmo Della Penna. EFSA, guidelines on safety and bioavailability of new nutrient sources. GIFT(Great Italian Food Trade). 6.4.21, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/innovazione/efsa-linee-guida-su-sicurezza-e-biodisponibilità-di-nuove-fonti-di-nutrienti
(7) Dario Dongo, Andrea Adelmo Della Penna. Edible insects, EFSA’s green light for flour moths. GIFT(Great Italian Food Trade). 22.1.21, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/progresso/insetti-commestibili-via-libera-di-efsa-alle-tarme-della-farina
(8) Dario Dongo, Andrea Adelmo Della Penna. Locusta migratoria, green light for novel food in EU. GIFT(Great Italian Food Trade). 19.11.21, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/innovazione/locusta-migratoria-via-libera-al-novel-food-in-ue
(9) Dario Dongo, Andrea Adelmo Della Penna. Crickets on the table, green light from EFSA. GIFT(Great Italian Food Trade). 18.8.21, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/progresso/grilli-a-tavola-via-libera-da-parte-di-efsa
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
