The European Commission has authorized since January 20, 2025, the sale of yellow mealworm powder as an ingredient in several foodstuffs.
On 20 January, the European Commission approved the placing on the market of larvae powder as a novel food and ingredient in bread and cakes.
Treated and ground larvae
This authorisation concerns the ultraviolet (UVB) treated powder obtained from whole Tenebrio molitor (“yellow mealworm”) larvae, themselves heat-treated and ground. It will be applied from February 10th.
Framed by the regulation 2025/89 of the European Union, this powder of larvae will be marketed as an ingredient in a certain number of food products intended for the population.
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For several years, the European Union has been looking for alternatives to meat, considering that citizens consume too much of it. It has already authorised a number of insects in food, such as the migratory locust, the house cricket and the lesser mealworm.
Is there a danger?
Following a request submitted by the company Nutri’Earth, the new food was subject to a rigorous scientific assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which concluded that these larvae were safe for human health.
Novel foods can only be authorised if they do not pose any risk to humans, explains the European Union on its website.
Which products are affected?
Although some insects are rich in protein, their exoskeletons may contain chitin, a molecule poorly digested by humans that can hinder the absorption of nutrients (proteins and amino acids).
The new European Union regulation concerns bread and cakes. Nearly 4 grams of mealworms will be allowed per 100 grams of bread and up to 3.5 grams in cakes.