In EU countries, it will now be possible to consume mealworm powder. Which is not a big deal, because in this case it is not about eating whole worms, fried crickets or silkworms, as many people think.
The very thought of worms in food makes many people immediately lose their appetite. Scientists define this reaction as a “food taboo”: when certain animals, plants or fungi that are generally edible are not consumed in certain cultures or social groups.
Indians do not eat beef, Muslims and Jews do not eat pork, and in Western cultures many are disgusted by the consumption of insects.
And they - according to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization FAO - are an integral part of the diet of about two billion people around the world, especially in parts of Africa, Asia, Central and South America. Over 2,000 species of insects are considered edible.
Now, for the first time, mealworm powder can now be used in food products in the EU. The authorization applies to flour obtained from the larvae of the flour beetle Tenebrio moltor, i.e. it is not about eating whole worms, fried crickets or silkworms, whatever ominous scenarios some may see.
The protein-rich flour will in future be used in limited quantities in industrially produced pasta such as bread or pastries, in processed potato products or cheese.
No health risks
Mealworm powder does not pose any health risks - otherwise it would not be allowed, the Federal Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety points out.
Before being released on the market, manufacturers must apply for a permit for each insect they want to sell. The European Food Safety Authority EFSA carries out detailed scientific assessments to verify the safety of products for human health.
Upper limits have been set for the permissible amounts: bread and pastries must contain no more than four grams of worm flour per 100 grams of final product, and for cheese the maximum amount is one gram of powder per hundred grams.
Any bacilli will be destroyed by irradiation with ultraviolet rays. The vitamin D3 content in the flour will also increase in the same way.
Why are mealworms particularly suitable for consumption?
Mealworms contain important nutrients such as iron, zinc and vitamin B12. They also have a high protein content - between 50 and 55 percent in the flour permitted by the EU. They also contain all nine essential amino acids and provide beneficial fats, fiber, and important vitamins.
There's another thing - the production of mealworms is much more environmentally friendly compared to traditional sources of protein such as calves, pigs, and chickens. They require less water, feed, and space, and they also emit fewer harmful emissions.
Many foods contain hidden animal ingredients
Animal ingredients have long been present in bread, pasta, and cheese, but are often difficult to recognize because they are disguised as names of food additives or professional terms. For example, many industrial bakeries have long used L-Cysteine (E920) to make dough smoother. This amino acid is often made from pig bristles or feathers and does not have to be declared.
Cheese, on the other hand, contains 35 percent enzymes from the stomachs of ruminants, usually calves. These enzymes break down milk protein and allow the milk to curdle without turning sour. The process is key to cheesemaking, as it separates the milk solids from the liquids.
In addition, many products contain gelatin, a protein mixture obtained from the skin and bones of calves and pigs. Gelatin stabilizes dishes or sauces, thickens soft cheese and is used to bind cereals.
Foods now also contain insect ingredients
Four species of insects have been allowed in the EU since 2021 - mostly dried or powdered: dried yellow mealworms, flying locusts, house crickets and the larvae of the small dung beetle.
These insects can be part of the contents of ready-made meat products, pasta, pasta or pizza, crisps, chocolate, cheese, jam, etc.
Anyone who is concerned about this should read the ingredients list carefully, as insects must be explicitly listed - foods containing them must be clearly declared, European Union regulations require. The instructions must contain the name of the insects in Latin and in the relevant language, as well as the form in which they were used. In addition, the product must contain information about possible allergic reactions in consumers who are contraindicated in consuming crustaceans and molluscs, or are allergic to mites.