Five years after the first debates on the pros and cons of insects on the table (1,2), their authorizations such as novel food in the European Union they begin to follow each other.
The attitudes of European consumers towards 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 the research of new sources of proteins in the Horizon research programs. Microalgae and insects (in primis) (4,5). The state of the art to follow.
1) Introduction. Insects e novel foods
The reg. CE 258/97 introduced the European regulation of novel foods, novel foods, defined as'any food and food ingredient not yet used to a significant extent for human consumption in the Community before 15 May 1997'.
The reg. EU 2015/2283, in repealing the reg. CE 258/97, has extended the field of application of novel foods to those 'constituted, isolated or obtained from animals or parts thereof'(Article 3.2.V). These include insects, not even animals derived from cloning.
2) Food safety first
Placing on the EU market of novel foods is bound to release - by the European Commission, assisted by the PAFF Committee (Plants, Animals, Food and Feed) - a prior authorization which contemplates the product requirements, the conditions of use and information to the consumer.
The is based on the scientific assessment of the candidate's food safety novel foods by EFSA (European Food Safety Authority). On the basis of the technical data sheets of processes and products, the analyzes, the scientific bibliography and the studies produced by the applicant attached to the dossier. (6)
3) Permits of insects such as novel foods in the EU
3.1) Insects already authorized
In 2021-2022, after a few years of waiting, the authorization procedures such as novel foods of the first three species of insects.
- Tenebrio molitor (dried yellow mealworm, flour moths). The larvae of Tenebrius molitor I'm the first novel foods based on insects authorized in the EU. (7) Dried, frozen and powdered (reg. UE 2021/882, reg. UE 2022/169),
- Migratory locust. Frozen and dried preparations based on migratory locust were authorized as novel foods with reg. EU 2021/1975, (8)
- Acheta domesticus (house cricket). Whole and ground domestic crickets, frozen and dried, authorized with reg. EU 2022/188. (9)
3.2) Authorizations ongoing on insects already allowed
The three species of insects already authorized as novel foods they are then the subject of six authorization requests ongoing and two others probably destined for the archive:
a) Tenebrio Molitor
- mealworm flour (EFSA-Q-2019-00748). Dossier presented on 21.11.19 by Nutri'Earth (France), EFSA opinion expected on 28.3.22,
- protein-rich flour obtained from fresh flour larvae (Tenebrius molitor. EFSA-Q-2021-00105). Dossier anonymous presented on 24.2.21, evaluation expected on 10.6.22,
- flour moths. Dossier presented on 28.9.18 by Belgian Insect Industry Federation (EFSA-Q-2018-00746). Conclusion of the risk analysis expected on 30.10.22,
b) migratory locust
Dossier presented on 20.6.18 by Belgian Insect Industry Federation (EFSA-Q-2018-00513). There are no updates (presumable archiving),
c) acheta domesticus
- acheta domesticus. Dossier presented by the Belgian Insect Industry Federation on 3.7.18 (EFSA-Q-2018-00543). There are no updates (presumably closed),
- whole degreased cricket powder (acheta domesticus). The request was submitted 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.
- flour of acheta domesticus (EFSA-Q-2021-00262). Submitted by anonymous on 11.5.21. Expected date of completion of the risk analysis 26.10.22.
3.3) Other insects in evaluation
EFSA is also evaluating the safety of seven other edible insects:
Gryllodes Sigillatus
Gryllodes Sigillatus (house tropical cricket). The authorization of the striped crickets was requested on 21.3.18 by SAS EAP Group - Micronutris (France. EFSA-Q-2018-00263). Expected date of completion of the risk assessment, 16.4.22.
alphitobius diaperinus
The larvae di alphitobius diaperinus (beetle), buffalo worms, are the subject of the two authorization requests from Protifarm Holding NV (Holland):
- products based on whole and shredded larvae of alphitobius diaperinus (EFSA-Q-2018-00282). Dossier presented on 10.4.18, EFSA opinion expected on 3.3.22,
- protein powders of buffalo worms. The Instance 30.10.19 (EFSA-Q-2019-00690), EFSA analysis expected on 13.6.22.
Hermetia illucens
Hermetia illucens (fly black soldier, soldier black fly). Dossier presented on 28.1.19 by Enorm Bifactory A / S (Denmark. EFSA-Q-2019-00046). Expected date for the conclusion of the risk analysis phase, 27.9.22.
Apis mellifera
Apis mellifera (European bee). Dossier presented by Finnish Beekeepers' association on 22.3.19 (EFSA-Q-2019-00201). Expected date for the conclusion of the risk analysis phase 13.3.23.
Time flies!
Dario Dongo
Footnotes
(1) Dario Dongo. Insects to eat? A reality in the making. GIFTS (Great Italian Food Trade). 18.2.17/XNUMX/XNUMX, 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/XNUMX/XNUMX, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/idee/insetti-a-tavola-in-ue
(3) Carlotta Totaro Fila, Dario Dongo. Food with insects, the largest survey ever conducted in Italy. GIFTS (Great Italian Food Trade). 30.1.19/XNUMX/XNUMX, 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. GIFTS (Great Italian Food Trade). 27.5.20/XNUMX/XNUMX, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/innovazione/microalghe-e-insetti-la-ricerca-di-proteine-sostenibili-in-horizon-2020
(5) Dario Dongo, Andrea Adelmo Della Penna. Proteins for the future, novel food. Challenges and opportunities in the EU. DO (Food and Agriculture Requirements). 15.12.21/XNUMX/XNUMX, 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. GIFTS (Great Italian Food Trade). 6.4.21/XNUMX/XNUMX, 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 green light for meal moths. GIFTS (Great Italian Food Trade). 22.1.21/XNUMX/XNUMX, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/progresso/insetti-commestibili-via-libera-di-efsa-alle-tarme-della-farina
(8) Dario Dongo, Andrea Adelmo Della Penna. Migratory locust, green light for novel food in the EU. GIFTS (Great Italian Food Trade). 19.11.21/XNUMX/XNUMX, https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/innovazione/locusta-migratoria-via-libera-al-novel-food-in-ue
(9) Dario Dongo, Andrea Adelmo Della Penna. Crickets at the table, green light from EFSA. GIFTS (Great Italian Food Trade). 18.8.21/XNUMX/XNUMX, 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.
