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European Commission authorizes insects’ consumption

After an EFSA opinion published in January 2021, a Commission Implementing Regulation (2021/882) has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union to authorize the consumption of dried Tenebrio molitor larva.

The authorization has been delivered to the French company SAS EAP Group. A 5 year protection has been obtained by the company thanks to the proprietary data provided in the application. The Regulation has been published on the 1st of June, and will enter into force 20 days later.

The authorization concerns the consumption of dried Tenebrio molitor larva, either as whole larva or as powder. The ingredient can also be used in protein products, biscuits, legume-based dishes and past-based dishes, at a maximum level of 10 g/100 g. The commission requests however that products containing Tenebrio molitor larva should bear a statement related to the possibility to have allergic reactions for consumers with known allergies to crustaceans or dust mites.

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/882 of 1 June 2021 authorising the placing on the market of dried Tenebrio molitor larva as a novel food under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and amending Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470.

Photo by Robert Gunnarsson on Unsplash