EU member states have authorized the marketing of dried yellow miller darkness larvae, better known as meal moths, as food.
It is the first EU ok to an insect as a food, which comes following the scientific evaluation by EFSA.
The "novel food" (according to the EU definition) can be marketed as a whole dried insect, as a snack, or as a flour, an ingredient for many food products. The authorization establishes specific labeling requirements regarding allergenicity, given that EFSA has indicated that consumption of the insect can lead to reactions to individuals with pre-existing allergies to shellfish and dust mites. The formal decision by the European Commission will be adopted in the coming weeks and is part of the "Farm to Fork" strategy. The EU 2020-30 action plan for sustainable food systems identifies insects as a source of low environmental impact proteins that can support the 'green' transition of EU food production. At the moment,there are eleven applications for insects as new foods under consideration by EFSA.