About European food…
Canada #71
EU Approves Insect-Infused Food: Mealworms in Bread and Pastries Now Permitted
February 6, 2025
Brussels, Belgium – In a controversial move, the European Union has approved Regulation (EU) 2025/89, allowing the use of insects as ingredients in common food products such as bread, pastries, cheese, jam, and pasta. The regulation, signed into law by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, permits the use of UV-treated yellow mealworm powder in food production across the bloc.
Mealworms in Everyday Foods
The regulation allows companies to market powder derived from the larvae of the Tenebrio molitor, commonly known as the yellow mealworm. Under the new law, up to 4 grams of mealworms per 100 grams of bread and 3.5 grams per 100 grams of pastries are now legally permitted.
This measure is part of the EU’s broader push to introduce alternative protein sources and reduce reliance on traditional livestock. According to the European Commission, meat consumption needs to be curbed in order to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040.
Public Concerns Over Digestibility and Transparency
While the EU promotes insects as a sustainable protein source, critics point to serious health concerns. The exoskeletons of insects contain chitin, a substance that is difficult for humans to digest and may hinder the absorption of essential nutrients.
Furthermore, there are growing fears that consumers may not always be clearly informed when insects are included in their food. Without strict labeling regulations, mealworm powder could be disguised under vague ingredient terms, leaving buyers unaware of what they are consuming.
A Shift in the European Food Supply
The move comes amid increasing efforts by the European Commission to phase out traditional agriculture in favor of lab-grown meat, synthetic proteins, and insect-based alternatives. The EU’s Novel Foods Team Leader, Rafael Perez Berbejal, has stated that insects could play a key role in diversifying the European diet and reducing dependence on conventional livestock farming.
However, opposition to the measure is growing, with critics arguing that food choices should be left to the public rather than dictated by top-down regulatory policies.
Consumer Backlash and Next Steps
The approval of mealworm powder in food has already sparked a strong response from consumers, with many questioning why such drastic changes are being implemented without public consultation.
Concerned citizens are now being urged to carefully check ingredient lists for terms like “mealworm powder,” “Tenebrio molitor,” or vague references to alternative protein sources. Some groups are also calling for stricter labeling laws to ensure transparency in food products.
What Lies Ahead?
As the EU continues its push toward insect-based food, questions remain: Will consumers accept this shift, or will there be widespread resistance? And how far will regulators go in reshaping diets across Europe?
For now, one thing is clear—mealworms are no longer just for birds and reptiles. They’re now in your bread, too.
https://rairfoundation.com/eu-approves-insect-infused-food-mealworms-bread-pastries/