Mealworms in food: future or allergy risk?
Mealworms in food: future or allergy risk?
Deutschland - mealworms as food have been officially allowed in the EU since February 2025. This decision opens up new perspectives for the food industry, which is increasingly relating to alternative protein sources. Class = "Source_1"> OE24 reports that mealworms are used in products such as protein bars, cookies and bread. In other regions of the world, insects are already widespread as food, which supports the use of insects in European cuisine.
According to the new regulations, manufacturers must significantly mark the proportion of mealworms on the packaging. This is particularly important for people with allergies because allergens of mealworms resemble those of crustaceans. Class = "Source_1"> Allergic reactions can include breathing difficulties, rashes or even an allergic shock. Customers should therefore read the ingredient lists carefully and be careful when uncertainties.
sustainability and environmental impacts
mealworms are not only considered to be nutritious, but also as an environmentally friendly protein source. They contain high -quality protein as well as vitamins and minerals and require much fewer resources compared to conventional animal breeding. According to the FAO, 14.5% of the global greenhouse gas emissions come from the keeping and processing of farm animals.
The efficiency of insect husbandry is also evident in space: for 100 g consumable insect mass, only 0.15 m² of land is needed, while the meat production of chickens is more than as required. These advantages make insects a promising answer to the challenges of modern food production.
health aspects
The health risks of the insect consumption are considered low, but the insects have to be heated before consumption. A microbiological danger determined by a non -approved type of insect.
A total of seven types of insects are currently approved in the EU as food, including crickets and BuffalOthurm. While the acceptance of insects in society is slowly increasing, especially among the younger generation, insect as a food in many European countries remains a niche product. DetailsOrt Deutschland Quellen
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