BRUSSELS, February 10. /TASS/. A regulation permitting the addition of yellow mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor) powder to foods has taken effect in EU member-states as of Monday, the European Commission (EC) said.
"The Commission has authorized the sale of UV-treated powder of whole Tenebrio molitor larvae (yellow mealworm) as a novel food," it said. The regulation will be effective for five years and can be extended later.
The insect powder can be added to such foods as bread and rolls, cakes, pasta-based products, processed potato products, cheese and cheese products, and fruit and vegetable jams as indicated in EC documents. "It is up to consumers to decide whether they want to eat insects or not. The use of insects as an alternative source of protein is not new and insects are regularly eaten in many parts of the world," the EC noted.
Manufacturers will be required to indicate the insect powder on the ingredient list of any products they sell. "The draft legal act establishes labelling requirements for foodstuffs containing the Novel Food. This applies on top of already existing labelling regulations," the Commission added.