Insects on the menu: Europe bolsters sustainable dining options
New bugs might soon appear on European tables. Eight species, including larvae and drones, are awaiting approval from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Introducing insects into the menu is intended to be an alternative to consuming dairy and meat.
New insects on European plates
Currently, the European Union (EU) permits the consumption of four types of insects: mealworm, migratory locust, house cricket, and lesser mealworm.
However, more species might soon appear on European tables. According to Interia, eight species await approval from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Among them is the black soldier flies larvae Hermetia illucens, characterized by a high calcium level. The Danish company Enorm Bifactory wants to introduce them to the market.
Additionally, the menu might include the European honeybee Apis mellifera. The Finnish Beekeepers Association has submitted documentation regarding the introduction of the drones, which are the male pupae of this bee.
Benefits of consuming insects
The EU is looking for alternative food sources partly due to the drought, which has affected the continent for the fourth consecutive year. Therefore, it is difficult to predict what this year's harvest of vegetables, fruits, and cereals will look like.
Another argument presented by the EU is the changing food trends. Many people are giving up meat consumption for ecological reasons. The portal reminds us that producing just 2 pounds of beef requires 3,300 gallons of water. This is almost 20 times more than for the same amount of fruits or vegetables.
Additionally, insects are a source of protein and vitamins (E and B1, B2, B12, and B6). They also contain calcium, zinc, magnesium, iron, and manganese. Proponents of consuming insects point out that production is efficient and environmentally friendly.
Current estimates indicate that about 2 billion people consume insects daily. These are mainly inhabitants of Asia, Africa, and South America.
Although eating bugs is often used as a political topic, few people realise that we have actually been eating them for a long time. Their secretions and processed bodies are used in the production of dyes and gloss agents.
If we want to check if a product contains insects, we need to look for the code E904. This code represents shellac, which is used in the food industry to produce sweets or to gloss vegetables, fruits, and even coffee beans.
