In the EU, powder of whole mealworm larvae treated with UV radiation is now allowed in bread, cakes, pasta, cheese, chips, compotes. And in various products, pig bristles or bones are already being added - and the like.
The EU promotes the development of alternatives to animal products that have always been eaten on the European continent. This certainly does not include insects, which are generally disgusting to us. That is why every new insect product that is allowed for consumption - there is a lot of dust in the media. That is the case now.
Because, a regulation regarding the powder of whole Tenebrio molitor larvae treated with ultraviolet radiation came into force in the EU on February 10, 2025. This powder is now permitted for use - in bread and pastries, cakes, pasta and potato products, cheese and cheese products, as well as in fruit and vegetable compotes.
Maximum permitted amounts of this powder per 100 grams of final products have also been determined: for bread, pastries and cakes - a maximum of 4 percent, for pasta and fruit and vegetable compotes - a maximum of 3,5 percent, for potato products 3 percent, and for cheese a maximum of 1 percent.
Only the French company "Nutri'Earth" - a specialist in D3 from insects
This EU approval is granted for five years - exclusively to the French company Nutri'Earth - unless a subsequent applicant obtains approval without using proprietary scientific data or with the consent of Nutri'Earth, the regulation states.
Biotech company Nutri'Earth applied for permission to sell the product in the EU back in 2019, even though it was founded only two years earlier, in 2017. The company says it is "the only producer in the world of a natural and sustainable source of vitamin D3," which is extracted from edible insects. Through "patented biosynthesis processes," Nutri'Earth produces the so-called sunshine vitamin in its "native, stable form, without resorting to chemical synthesis or extraction," according to the company's website.
And the EU authority pointed out that "although UV treatment increases the vitamin D3 content, this novel food product (mealworm powder) does not constitute a significant source of vitamin D3. However, since foods containing this novel food product may have a vitamin D content that, in accordance with the regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council, is considered significant, the Commission considers it appropriate to inform consumers of this fact. The name of this novel food product must bear the statement "contains vitamin D obtained by UV treatment" and the vitamin D content must be indicated in the nutrition declaration".
The maximum permitted amounts of vitamin D3 per 100 grams of final products containing powder of whole mealworm larvae treated with UV radiation have also been determined: for bread, pastries and cakes - a maximum of 3,2 micrograms, for pasta and fruit and vegetable compotes - a maximum of 2,8 micrograms, for potato products 2,4 micrograms, and for cheese a maximum of 0,8 micrograms.
Insects have been on the menu in the EU since 2021
The mealworm beetle, or rather its larva, also called the yellow mealworm, is considered beneficial for health. It is rich in nutrients, unsaturated fats, as well as vitamins and minerals. It has been used in Southeast Asian cuisine for centuries.
More than 2.000 species of insects are considered edible, and they are an integral part of the diet of about 2 billion people, especially in parts of Africa, Asia, Central and South America - according to estimates by the Food and Agriculture Organization.
As of 2021, four insects have been approved for human consumption in the EU - mostly in dried or powdered form: dried yellow mealworm, grasshopper, domestic cricket, and mold beetle larva.
These insects are already found in many prepared meat products, pastries, cake mixes, pasta, pizza dough, snacks such as chips, chocolate, cheese, jam, cereals, muesli, cereal bars and much more.
If you want to know if you are eating insects - you need to read the ingredients list carefully. Food containing insects must be clearly declared in accordance with EU regulations. The label must indicate the Latin and national name of the insect and the form used.
In addition, the product must contain a warning about possible allergic reactions in consumers who are allergic to crustaceans, molluscs and mites.
Pig bristles, bones or feathers in many foods
Animal ingredients have long been added to baked goods, pasta and cheese products - but they are often difficult to detect because they are hidden behind additives or technical terms. Many industrial bakeries have long used L-cysteine. This amino acid often comes from pig bristles or feathers and does not have to be declared.
Around the world, about 35 percent of cheese contains animal rennet: enzymes from the stomachs of ruminants, mostly calves. These enzymes break down milk proteins and allow the milk to curdle without turning sour. The process is essential to cheesemaking because it separates the solid components of milk from the liquid components.
Gelatin is also found in many products. This protein mixture is obtained from the skin and bones of cattle and pigs. For example, gelatin stabilizes sauces, fillings and creams, thickens cream cheese and binds cereals in granola bars.
Bonus video:
