Europe Approves Insects in Food: Mealworm Powder Now Allowed in Bread and Cakes
EU Approves Mealworms as a New Food Ingredient
The European Commission has officially approved the sale of UV-treated yellow mealworm powder as a food ingredient under regulation (EU) 2025/89. The decision, signed by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in January, allows mealworm powder to be used in various food products across the EU.
EU’s Push for Meat Alternatives
For years, the EU has been looking for alternatives to meat, arguing that Europeans eat too much of it. Globally, around 350 million tons of meat are consumed each year. In Poland alone, the average person eats about 75 kg of meat per year, which is higher than the EU average, according to Polish news site Salon24.
Climate Goals Driving the Change
The European Commission’s climate policy aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040 (compared to 1990 levels). Since agriculture contributes over 10% of these emissions, the EU is promoting lab-grown meat and insect-based foods as more sustainable protein sources.
“Insects may play a more important role in increasing the availability and sourcing of alternative proteins,” said Rafael Perez Berbejal, a leader in novel foods at DG SANTE, the EU’s food safety department.
Nutritional Benefits and Concerns
Insects are rich in protein—in dried form, they contain more protein than regular meat. However, their exoskeletons contain chitin, which is difficult for humans to digest. This can affect the body's ability to absorb nutrients like protein and amino acids.
Mealworms in Everyday Foods
Under the new EU rule, bread and rolls can contain 4 grams of mealworm powder per 100 grams, while cakes can have up to 3.5 grams of mealworms per 100 grams.
This move marks another step in the EU’s plan to introduce insects into mainstream diets, offering an alternative protein source to help meet environmental and sustainability goals.
Thanks for visiting Our Secret House. Create your free account or donate by signing up to never miss any news!
