According to Forbes magazine and TASS news agency in Russia, the European Commission has approved a regulation allowing the addition of mealworm (breadworm) larvae powder in food. The regulation came into effect in EU member states on the 10th of this month, with a validity period of 5 years and can be extended. The European Commission document shows that powder of yellow mealworm larvae treated with ultraviolet radiation can be added to various foods such as bread, cakes, and pasta, and manufacturers need to indicate the addition of insect powder in the product ingredient list.
The European Commission stated that consumers can decide for themselves whether to consume insect powder, as insects as a protein substitute source are not fresh in many places. Forbes magazine explained that the reason for adding insect powder is that with the global population growth and increasing demand for food, insect farming is a sustainable protein alternative that conforms to the principles of circular economy, and many governments consider it a positive measure to develop alternative proteins. One of the important reasons why insect farming has attracted attention is its ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Compared to traditional animal husbandry, insect farming can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 80% and require significantly less land and water resources.
However, not everyone can accept the addition of insect products to food, but with sustainable development and the global popularity of protein alternative sources, the demand for edible insects is on the rise. For example, the edible insect market in Germany has grown at a rate of about 24% over the past six years. Some scientists believe that in the context of food crisis, insects may become one of the "saviors" to solve the food crisis in the future. According to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, insects are rich in protein, low in fat, and various vitamins, and have a higher feed conversion rate than animals such as pigs, cows, and chickens. There are approximately 3650 edible insects worldwide, including multiple orders such as Coleoptera, with varying edible parts for different orders. There are numerous edible insect species in Southeast Asia, the Amazon River basin in South America, Africa, and other regions.
(Editer：admin)
