The house crickets (acheta domesticus) have been the subject of two authorizations as novel foods, at European level, pursuant to reg. EU 2015/2283. The reg. EU 2022/188 authorized its use in frozen, dried and powdered form, while reg. EU 2023/5 has allowed the use of their partially degreased powder (1,2). In both cases, with a five-year exclusivity in favor of the companies that have requested the authorisation.
Elena Cavallone, News Editor at Linkedin News, submits to us some brief questions on the topic 'insects for food use'. We are pleased to answer them, in the hope of being able to contribute to public information on research and innovation in the food sector. Which:
- it does not only concern insects but various other matrices, as seen in the recent cases of proteins from mushrooms, rice and peas, milk. (2) In addition to microalgae, also a source of precious marine Omega 3, (3) and in any case:
- it is subject to specific rules and procedures which guarantee the food and nutritional safety of all new foods, the placing on the EU market is subject to a specific prior authorisation.
1) Novel foods, Premise
I Novel foods they can be placed on the market in the single market of the Old Continent only following authorization by the European Commission.
Member States participate in the decision-making process, through their government representations at PAFF (Plants, Animals, Food and Feed) Standing Committee.
The must always be based on a scientific assessment by EFSA regarding the safety of novel foods for human consumption under certain conditions and levels of use.
2) 'Food safety' issue
The operator intending to apply for authorization to place on the EU market a food which qualifies as 'new' – i.e., with no significant experience of safe consumption in Europe prior to 15 May 1997 (date of entry into force of the first Novel Foods Regulation No 258/97) must submit to the European Commission a dossier which includes:
- analyzes conducted on various production batches to determine the microbiological and contaminant content (e.g. heavy metals, mycotoxins, biogenic amines, pesticides),
- analysis and/or toxicological studies. That is, information on the history of consumption and safe use in third countries.(4)
EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), on these bases, verifies the food safety of the novel foods under the conditions of use proposed by the applicant. With the faculty to propose the reduction of the levels of use or the restriction of the target of consumption, excluding, for example, the most sensitive sections of the population.
2.1) Crickets and food allergies
The European Authority for food safety it also considered the possible sensitivity to cricket proteins by individuals allergic to crustaceans, molluscs and mites.
It is prescribed therefore the obligation to report a specific warning aimed at the aforementioned categories of allergic consumers, on the labels of foods that contain crickets.
The other way around, we still lack conclusive evidence about the possibility that acheta domesticus may cause primary allergic sensitization.
3) Possible health risks?
The permissions – always based on EFSA's scientific opinions – also take into account the average intake of foods where the novel foods it could be used as an ingredient, having regard to the population groups indicated by the applicant. (5)
La European Food Safety Authority therefore verifies the nutritional safety of the novel foods, as well as its food safety. Evaluating whether the average consumption of foods containing it can lead to nutritional deficiencies, or to excessive intakes of nutrients and/or anti-nutrients.
4) Fitness for human consumption
The evaluation by EFSA takes into account the entire production process of novel foods, to 100% guarantee their safety and suitability for human consumption: in the case of crickets and other insects, the analysis starts from the animal rearing and feeding phase (also having regard to the possible carry over some allergens, e.g. wheat).
The operators applicants for authorization must therefore guarantee and demonstrate to EFSA the correct management of both Good Hygienic Practices (GHPs, now integrated into the Pre-Requisite Programs, PRPs), and risk prevention and monitoring systems (Hazard Analysis on Critical Control Points, HACCP).
5) Novel foods, provisional conclusions
The Novel Foods Regulation No 2015/2283 expresses perhaps the highest level of assurance on food safety e nutritional safety never defined and applied internationally. Taking into account:
- analytical and scientific rigor required in the presentation of dossier of authorization,
- transparency in risk assessment by an independent authority (EFSA),
- political assessment shared in Brussels with the governments of the member states.
There is more to be trusted in a pasta with protein supplementation from authorized cricket powder such as novel foods than a non-organic vegetable minestrone. Whereas:
- over a third of the renewals of the authorizations of pesticides used in the EU are not preceded by the necessary update of the risk analysis, (6)
- the public health risks associated with the effect cocktail of mixtures of pesticides and other agrotoxics are still without suitable evaluations. (7)
Dario Dongo
Footnotes
(1) Dario Dongo, Andrea Adelmo Della Penna. Crickets at the table, green light from EFSA. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade).
(2) Dario Dongo, Andrea Adelmo Della Penna. Novel food. Green light in the EU for proteins from mushrooms, rice and peas, insects, milk and new sugars. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 14.1.23
(3) Dario Dongo, Giulia Torre. Microalgae for food use and regulation of Novel Foods, the state of the art in the EU. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 29.1.22
(4) Dario Dongo, Giulia Torre. Notification of traditional foods from third countries such as Novel Foods in the EU. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 4.3.22
(5) EFSA has (unfortunately exclusive) access to consumption data on specific food groups and types of food provided on a regular basis by the 27 EU Member States. Comprehensive European Food Consumption Database
(6) Marta Strinati. Not just glyphosate. 33% of pesticides used in the EU are without risk assessment. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 26.11.22
(7) Marta Strinati. Pesticide cocktails cause toxicity, even at the doses allowed in the EU. New study. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 24.10.20
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
%20sono%20stati%20oggetto%20di%20due%20autorizzazioni%20come%C2%A0novel%20food,%20a%20livello%20europeo...){kind=link}