Brussels.
Crickets and other insects may end up in German food in the future. How healthy they are and how shoppers recognize the products.
Eating insects is still a disgusting or at least exotic idea for many people in this country – linked, for example, to a vacation in Asia or the growing feeling of disgust when watching the RTL “jungle camp”. In addition to mealworms, for example, house crickets have also been approved for food production in the EU since today – and the list of insects will be longer. An overview:
Insects in food: what exactly has the EU allowed?
From Tuesday (January 24th) may also house barbecue (crickets), in food – a corresponding new EU law comes into force. From Thursday (January 24) this also applies to the larvae of the grain mold beetle, so-called buffalo worms. Locusts and mealworm larvae (yellow mealworm) are already permitted – the latter since May 2021.
How do the insects get to the market?
According to EU approval the insects may be frozen, dried or used as a powder. “For the first five years after approval, however, only the applicant is allowed to bring the relevant products onto the market,” says Armin Valet, food and nutrition expert at the Hamburg consumer advice center. “I don’t expect there to be a lot of home cricket foods on sale anytime soon.”
Are approvals planned for other insect species?
According to the EU Commission, there are currently eight other applications for the approval of insects as food – including the black soldier fly. Background: For each Insect Foods, which is to be launched in Europe, a new application must be submitted. As part of the examination of each application, a detailed scientific assessment is then carried out by the European Food Safety Authority.
Why do insects even need a permit?
Even if insects traditionally on the menu in Asia, Latin America and Africa, they played hardly any role in Europe until 1997 – and are therefore among the so-called novel foods. There have been exceptions for whole insects since 2018 – according to Valet, however, the corresponding transitional regulations have expired and approval processes are therefore generally mandatory.
Where can I get insect food?
become in Europe protein powder, snacks, bread, muesli, but also pasta and burger patties with insects have been sold for some time – including in Germany and Austria. The latter was temporarily available at both Rewe and Penny. However, the products are still primarily found on the Internet.
Can it happen that I eat insects without knowing it?
no According to the regulations of EU Commission must be clearly labeled if insects are used in food and also in what form – e.g. as a powder. In addition, the species name must therefore be mentioned in the list of ingredients. For example, it would say: “Partially defatted powder from Acheta domesticus (domestic cricket)”. So if you’re disgusted, you don’t have to worry about being foisted on insects.
What does insect food taste like?
“I don’t have personal experience myself,” Valet says, but posits that when the insects are roasted, they certainly have classic roasted flavors like other foods. Their taste is usually described as nutty because of their high fat content. Due to the mineral-rich exoskeleton, the taste but also resemble shellfish – but without the “sea note”.
How much does insect food cost?
So far, most products with insects are still very expensive – apart from a few special offers in discounters. In a corresponding market check by the consumer advice centers, the average price of the samples was 43 euros per 100 grams.
How healthy are insects?
Insects are considered nutritious because they usually contain a lot protein as well as important unsaturated fatty acids and amino acids. According to several studies, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) explicitly classifies insects as a healthy food source because of their high content of fat, protein, vitamins, fiber and minerals.
Insect foods: Do allergy sufferers have to be careful?
Officially, insects do not fall under the 14 official main allergens. “Because of the insect shell, people who are allergic to crustaceans, molluscs or house dust mites should be careful,” Valet warns. According to the EU regulation, a note must be placed in the immediate vicinity of the list of ingredients. As the consumer centers found in their market check, the allergen labeling was included Insect Foods however, patchy at the time of testing.
What advantages do insects have as food?
They can not only contribute to a nutritious, but also sustainable diet, since breeding is relatively resource-saving. In the current meat atlas, it was calculated that the use of insects in the food production only around one hundredth of the emissions are released compared to beef. “In addition, about 80 percent of insects are edible,” adds Valet. “It’s only 40 percent for beef.” An important advantage for climate protection.
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