News Briefs
The European Union recently allowed Acheta Domesticus, better known as the house cricket, to appear on European Union consumers’ tables. The newly approved regulation will allow food producers to introduce the partially defatted powder of Acheta Domesticus to the E.U. food market.
The E.U. Commission passed the application presented in 2019 by the Cricket One Company. Now, food producers can use the powder in the production of several foods, including pizza and pasta-based products, nuts and oilseeds, snacks and sauces, meat preparations and soups, multigrain bread and rolls, crackers and breadsticks, cereal bars, dry pre-mixes for baked products, biscuits, processed potato products, legume- and vegetable-based dishes, whey powder, maize flour-based snacks, beer-like beverages and chocolate confectionery.
The go-ahead came on the heels of the scientific opinion expressed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which verified and approved the safety of the new powder.
See Also:Health NewsEFSA also approved the powder production process, which includes a 24-hours fasting period for the insects before they are frozen, washed, thermally processed, have their oil extracted and, finally, transformed into dried-up powder.
The march of house crickets into European kitchens will not be completed alone. On January 6th, the E.U. Commission also approved the introduction of the frozen, paste, dried and powdered forms of Alphitobius diaperinus larvae, also known as the lesser mealworm, to the consumer food market.
Lesser mealworm larvae have also been found safe by the EFSA and, in the approved forms, are now allowed as ingredients in several food products destined for the general population. The powder of the mealworm larvae will also be used as a food supplement.
Food containing the insect products will require appropriate labels. Some researchers believe these food items could cause reactions in consumers allergic to crustaceans, mollusks and dust mites.
The two insect preparations will join the list of E.U.-approved insect foods, including dried Tenebrio Molitor mealworm and the dried powder of the migratory locust.
Besides such approvals, eight other applications for insect foods have been presented to the European Union and are currently under evaluation.
The E.U. Commission’s website explained that “the consumption of insects (…) contributes positively to the environment and health and livelihoods.” The E.U. executive branch also noted that insects “are a highly nutritious and healthy food source with high fat, protein, vitamin, fibre and mineral content. Therefore, they are an alternative protein source facilitating the shift towards healthy and sustainable diets.”
The new Acheta and Aplhitobius regulations will take effect at the end of the month.
More articles on: European Commission, European Union, foodservice
Feb. 13, 2024
The Role of Gulls in Spreading Olive Seeds Across Balearic Islands
Gulls contributed to the long-distance spread of local olive seeds, facilitating the colonization and expansion of the variety
Aug. 9, 2024
Italy’s Severe Drought Damages Olive Trees Ahead of Harvest
The country's major olive-growing regions are hit by heatwaves and drought. Production is anticipated to fall to historic lows.
Apr. 11, 2024
Germany's Consumer Watchdog Warns Olive Oil Quality Is Falling
The warning comes after 17 of 19 samples of labeled extra virgin olive oil were found to be marginal, at best.
Jan. 29, 2024
In Search of Chill: Cool Nights Needed for Olive Trees in Greece
After warm spells decimated their harvests, producers in Greece are hoping for cool temperatures during critical growing stages this time around.
Oct. 7, 2024
What 485 Million Years of Climate History Tell Us About Today's Crisis
New research finds that Earth’s average temperature has changed more drastically in the past than originally thought, but the current rate remains uniquely perilous.
Apr. 9, 2024
Processed Foods Associated with Negative Health Outcomes, Study Finds
Consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with a greater risk of more than 30 negative health outcomes.
Mar. 13, 2024
Olive Oil Times Launches Ranking Data Portal
The portal lists the most-awarded producers and brands, updated in real-time, along with detailed historical results data by hemisphere, country, cultivar and organic classification
Nov. 7, 2024
Award-Winning Tuscan Producer Opens Olive Oil-Centric Restaurant
The Extra Floor Restaurant in Greve, Chianti, features the award-winning extra virgin olive oil of Frantoio Pruneti in a range of traditional Tuscan dishes.