News Link: Beetle Larvae – Protein Rich Food Recognized by European Union – By ND News Desk
Researchers have come up with high protein yellow mealworms, which has fat and amino acids apt for consumption. The larva grows quickly in different substances like brewer’s yeast, wheat bran, and corn starch and potato flour.
The European Commission has approved a proposal to sell the larvae of Tenebrio molitor beetles in the market. But, it need to be under the label “innovative food” that is safe to eat or consume. Furthermore, it added that yellow mealworm must be clearly mentioned as an alert to people who might be allergic. This decision was made after the EU’s food safety agency published a scientific opinion this year that concluded worms were safe to eat. If eaten whole or in powdered form, these worms was proven to be a protein-rich snack or an ingredient for other foods. The insects can also be used to make burgers, biscuits and protein shakes.
The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization demands insects to be a healthy and highly nutritious food source like milk or so. It is having high content of fat and vitamins, protein, minerals as well as fibres.
Reports says there are currently 11 other applications for insects to become “novel food” in the EU. And they will be considered by the European Food Safety Authority. Some of the member states of the EU had previously made these insects available in the market shelves.
The point to note in this is that the first time an insect was being authorised as food in the EU.
They were only available in food markets in Southeast Asian countries.
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Beetle Larvae – Protein Rich Food Recognized by European Union
