After mealworms, EU approves locusts for consumption

The European Commission on Friday authorised the placing on the market of a second insect, Locusta migratoria (migratory locust), as a novel food.

According to the Commission, locust will be available in the form of frozen, dried and powder and is intended to be marketed as a snack or a food ingredient, in a number of food products.

“This authorisation comes after a stringent scientific assessment by EFSA which concluded that migratory locust is safe under the uses submitted by the applicant company,” the Commission said.

Products containing locust will be labelled to inform about potential allergic reactions.

The Commission said the authorisation follows a positive vote, last September, from the Member States to which the application was submitted.

The first authorisation of an insect as novel food, for dried yellow mealworms, was adopted last July.

“In various studies, the Food Agriculture Organisation has identified insects as a highly nutritious and healthy food source with high fat, protein, vitamin, fibre and mineral content,” the announcement said.

“Insects, which are consumed daily by millions of people on the planet, were identified under the Farm to Fork Strategy as an alternative protein source that could facilitate the shift towards a more sustainable food system.”