The state of the art on approvals for the use of insects as novel foods is subject to increasingly rapid updates, in the European Union as well as in the United Kingdom (UK). The latest news follows.
1) Insects and novel foods, the state of the art in the European Union.
As of February 2022-the date of our last scenario update (1)-the insects authorized and in the process of being authorized as novel foods in the European Union were:
Tenebrio molitor
(flour moth). Authorized, with additional files under evaluation,
Locust migratory
. Authorized, with another request under consideration,
Acheta domesticus
(domestic cricket). Approved, with other applications under review by EFSA,
Gryllodes sigillatus
(banded cricket). Pending evaluation,- Alphitobius diaperinus (tenebrion beetle). Ditto c.s.,
Hermetia illucens
(black soldier fly). Ditto c.s.
Apis mellifera
. Ditto c.s. (1)
In recent months the situation has evolved rapidly in the following terms.
Tenebrio molitor
Moth of flour as a food and as an ingredient (e.g., dried, powder) (EFSA-Q-2018-00746). Dossier submitted on 9/28/18 by Belgian Insect Industry Federation. Conclusion of risk analysis expected on 17.12.22.
Whole meal moth powder treated with UV radiation (EFSA-Q-2019-00748) to increase vitamin D (specifically D3) value, as seen with other novel foods. Dossier submitted 21.11.19 by Nutri’Earth (France), EFSA opinion expected 22.9.22.
Protein-rich flour obtained from fresh flour moth larvae (EFSA-Q-2021-00105). Dossier submitted on 24.2.21 by the French company Ynsect, with evaluation expected on 4.12.22.
Locust migratory
Locust as food in dried form (EFSA-Q-2018-00513). Dossier submitted on 6/20/18 by Belgian Insect Industry Federation.
Updates continue to be lacking and filing is possible, but news about it is not available because the request was filed before the implementation of the so-called Transparency Regulation, which is not retroactive (sic!).
Acheta domesticus
Domestic cricket as a food and as an ingredient (e.g., dried, powder) (EFSA-Q-2018-00543). Dossier submitted by Belgian Insect Industry Federation on 3.7.18. Updates are not available or accessible for the same reasons as Locusta migratoria.
Defatted whole cricket powder (EFSA-Q-2019-00589), subject of dossier submitted on 10.9.19 by Cricket One No Ltd (Vietnam). The favorable scientific opinion was published on 5/13/22. (2) Therefore, the first an authorization on novel food insects (with exclusivity) to non-EU operator is expected.
Dried cricket (EFSA-Q-2020-00748), the subject of an application submitted on 17.11.20 by the National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards (Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thailand), is still awaiting news that is moreover inaccessible to the public.
Italian Cricket Farm awaits the outcome of the scientific evaluation of its dossier submitted on 11.5.21 on domestic cricket powder (EFSA-Q-2021-00262) on 26.12.22.
Gryllodes sigillatus
The withdrawal of the application for the authorization of dried striped cricket as a novel food (EFSA-Q-2018-00263) – by the applicant SAS EAP Group – Micronutris (France) on 22.4.22, a few days after the due date for the EFSA opinion (16.4.22) – unfortunately decreed the end of the procedure. (3)
Alphitobius diaperinus
Frozen or freeze-dried tenebrion beetle (alfitobium) (EFSA-Q-2018-00282). EFSA published on 4.7.22 a favorable opinion on the dossier submitted on 10.4.18 by Protifarm Holding NV (since acquired by Ynsect). (4)
Alfithium protein powders (EFSA-Q-2019-00690). The room was submitted on 10.30.19, and the EFSA analysis is due on 1.26.23, with a clockstop expected to end on 10.3.22.
Hermetia illucens
Black soldier fly powder (EFSA-Q-2019-00046) Dossier submitted on 28.1.19 by Enorm Bifactory A/S (Denmark.). Scheduled date for completion of the risk analysis phase, 9/27/23.
Black soldier fly larvae refined for lipids (EFSA-Q-2022-00095). Dossier submitted by Protix B.V. on 14.2.22, to date without feedback from EFSA.
Likewise for the defatted powder of dried black soldier fly larvae (EFSA-Q-2022-00430), as a result of application filed by InnovaFeed on 1.7.22.
Apis mellifera
European honey bee (EFSA-Q-2019-00201). Dossier submitted by Finnish Beekeepers’ association on 3/22/19. Estimated date for completion of the risk analysis phase 13.3.23.
2) Insects as novel foods, the state of the art in England.
As a result of Brexit, only the following insect species can now be imported to England-for human consumption (EU Reg. 2019/1981, All. III-bis):
– Alphitobius diaperinus,
– Acheta domesticus,
– Tenebrio molitor,
– Schistocerca gregaria,
– Locust migratory,
– Hermetia illucens (larva. See notes 5,6).
Different insects-such as those arriving from countries not included in Annex to reg. EU 2019/1981 – are subject to a transition period, provided they were marketed in the UK and/or EU before 1.1.18 and their application for authorization as a novel food is submitted by 31.12.23. Food Standards Agency (FSA), in updating this date, noted that food safety risks associated with eating insects are generally low, subject to appropriate hygiene measures (7,8).
2.1) FSA, public consultation
FSA initiated a public consultation, open to all interested parties by 10.8.22, regarding its decision to keep the transitional measure in place and the appropriateness of continuing to follow reg. EU 2015/2283 for approvals of insects as novel foods in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Indeed, the FSA currently encourages the use of a dedicated procedure, ‘UK’s Regulated Products Authorisation System,’ which has so far registered only one application for the authorisation of Acheta domesticus. In Northern Ireland, however, they are required to be licensed in the EU where not covered by the transition period (9,10).
3) Interim Conclusions.
The number of applications for approval of insects as novel foods has gradually increased in recent years. European Commission implementing regulations are expected by the end of 2022 or early 2023 to authorize defatted Acheta domesticus and frozen and freeze-dried Alphitobius diaperinus (barring second thoughts). Gryllodes sigillatus, on the other hand, will require a new application and authorization, for its trade.
England has not yet evaluated the safety and authorized Acheta domesticus, although at least until 31.12.23 the transitional period is guaranteed under the said conditions. Instead, for insects not marketed before 1.1.18, a new permit application must be submitted. (10) More than a quarter (26 percent) of British consumers, moreover, are reportedly interested in experimenting with edible insects, according to FSA (2022), mainly for environmental and sustainability reasons. (11)
Dario Dongo and Andrea Adelmo Della Penna
Notes
(1) Dario Dongo. Insects on the table, Novel Food approvals in EU. The state of the art. GIFT (Great Italian Food Trade). 13.2.22
(2) EFSA NDA Panel (2022). Safety of partially defatted house cricket (Acheta domesticus) powder as a novel food pursuant to Regulation(EU) 2015/2283. EFSA Journal 20(5) :7258 , https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2022.7258
(3) See Reg. EU 2015/2283, Art. 35(2) and Reg. EU 2017/2469, Art. 8(5)
(4) EFSA NDA Panel (2022). Safety of frozen and freeze-dried formulations of the lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus larva) as a Novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. EFSA Journal 20(7):7325, https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2022.7325
(5) Food Standards Agency. Changes to Import Authorisations for Insects into the European Union. Animal & Plant Health Agency. 11.3.20 http://apha.defra.gov.uk/documents/bip/ovs-notes/2020-18.pdf
(6) The reg. EU 2019/1981 and reg. EU 2019/626 of its amendment were repealed by reg. EU 2021/405. The list of third countries from which insect consignments are allowed to enter the EU is now defined in its Annex XV, according to Article 24
(7) Food Standards Agency. FSA Board Meeting – September 2021. 9/15/21, https://www.food.gov.uk/about-us/fsa-board-meeting-september-2021
(8) Food Standards Agency. Consultation launched to bring clarity to British edible insect industry. 13.7.22,
(9) Foods Standards Agency. Consultation on transitional arrangements for edible insects in Great Britain. 13.7.22,
(10) The permit application for Acheta domesticus was submitted by Woven Network in collaboration with Hop, as reported in newsletter 45 of December 2021, dossier submission period (16.12.21)
(11) Ayla Ibrahimi Jarchlo, Lucy King (2022). Alternative Proteins: Consumer Survey. FSA (Food Standards Agency). https://doi.org/10.46756/sci.fsa.ncn554
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
Graduated in Food Technologies and Biotechnologies, qualified food technologist, he follows the research and development area. With particular regard to European research projects (in Horizon 2020, PRIMA) where the FARE division of WIISE Srl, a benefit company, participates.
