Dried yellow mealworms will soon be available in supermarkets and served in restaurants across Europe.
Following a decision from EU governments and a food safety assessment on Monday, mealworms can now be sold across the European Union’s 27-nation bloc as the Tenebrio molitor beetle’s larvae hits the market as a “novel food.”
11 other insect foods are waiting for food safety evaluations from the EU.
BYPASS THE CENSORS
Sign up to get unfiltered news delivered straight to your inbox.
You can unsubscribe any time. By subscribing you agree to our Terms of Use
AP reports: The move came after the EU’s food safety agency published a scientific opinion this year that concluded worms were safe to eat. Researchers said the worms, either eaten whole or in powdered form, are a protein-rich snack or an ingredient for other foods.
Allergic reactions may occur for people with pre-existing allergies to crustaceans and dust mites, the Commission said. Insects as food represent a very small market but EU officials said breeding them for food could have environmental benefits. The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization calls insects “a healthy and highly nutritious food source with a high content of fat, protein, vitamins, fibers and minerals.”
Following Tuesday’s approval by EU states, a EU regulation authorizing dried yellow mealworms as a food will be adopted in the coming weeks.
