Insects in the food: EU allows flour from larvae for bread and cheese!

Insects in the food: EU allows flour from larvae for bread and cheese!

EU, Europa - The European Union has recently passed an important regulation that allows the use of insect larvae flour in food, which could revolutionize the food industry. From now on, bread, pasta, cheese and other products may contain flour from flourworm larvae, such as oe24.at . In order to minimize health risks, the insects must be treated with UV radiation before processing. This regulation aims to establish an environmentally friendly protein source that requires less resources than traditional cattle breeding.

The regulation, which is considered part of the EU guidelines for new foods, obliges manufacturers to clearly mark products with insect flour. This is particularly important for allergy sufferers, since insects are biologically similar to crustaceans, which could trigger allergic reactions, such as the European Commission . In recent years, approvals for the use of Hele insects have already been granted, but the new regulation makes it clear that they are now classified as new foods and need approval.

background and future developments

The discussion about the use of insects in nutrition is not new, but the new regulation could rethink. While supporters such as the World Economic Forum emphasize environmental benefits, critics see concerns about the health effects. The new regulations come into force and thus enable a broader selection of sustainable foods on the European market. These developments could not only increase nutritional security, but also contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.