Up to 4% of a novel UV-treated mealworm powder may be contained in bread, cakes, pasta products, processed potato products, cheese and cheese products as well as fruit and vegetable compotes. The French biotechnology company Nutriearth has been granted exclusive marketing rights and a monopoly for the next five years.
In the shadow of the EU Green Deal, the business models of biotech companies are gaining momentum. With their so-called “novel foods”, they want to displace the traditional food business model. Despite the suspension of the so-called “mandatory fallow” in 2024, the set-aside of agricultural land prescribed in Europe and the Fertilizer Ordinance are playing into their hands (1).
The Nutriearth company has shown particular inventiveness in its search for lucrative business opportunities by enriching the vermin meal already used in the food industry with vitamin D3 using UV light. This sets it apart from its competitors on the market. The vermin powder has already been listed on the Novel Food Regulation: On February 10, the “Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/89” (2) comes into force. The regulation applies in all member states of the European Union. Article 3 reads as follows: “The applicant requested authorization for the use of UV-treated powder of whole larvae of Tenebrio molitor in bread and rolls, cakes, pasta products, processed potato products, cheese and cheese products and fruit and vegetable compotes intended for the general public.” (3)
The larvae are dried, ground and treated with UV light to increase the vitamin D3 content of the powder. According to the French biotechnology company, its aim is to provide a natural, environmentally friendly source of vitamin D3 so that people no longer need to take dietary supplements. The company states on its website: “Nutriearth is developing an innovative vitamin D3 from a natural and sustainable bioresource (Tenebrio molitor ). This vitamin D3, preserved in its original matrix (powder or oil), is obtained through patented processes that enable its biosynthesis. Our unique and patented technologies allow us to offer a natural and sustainable vitamin D3 obtained without the use of chemical synthesis or extraction processes” (4). According to the supplier: “The vitamin D market does not offer 100% natural and sustainable solutions” (5).
According to the Nutriearth company, European consumers should become insect eaters when they reach for their breakfast rolls, cheese, Sunday cakes and pasta, using the argument of vitamin D supply. The European Food Safety Authority (EFTA) states that insect powder is not a significant source of vitamin D3. Article 8 of the EU Regulation states that the European Food Safety Authority (EFTA) points out in an opinion that “[...] although the UV treatment increases the vitamin D3 content of the powder of whole larvae of Tenebrio molitor, the novel food does not constitute a significant source of vitamin D3. However, since foods containing the novel food may ultimately have a vitamin D content that is considered significant in accordance with point 2 of Part A of Annex XIII to Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 6 ), the Commission considers it appropriate to inform consumers of this fact" (6).
It is important to note that the Commission acknowledges the risk of allergy and recommends that the allergenicity of vitamin D3 vermin powder be monitored. Article 9 states: “Based on a small number of published findings on food allergies associated with the consumption of larvae of Tenebrio molitor and on data demonstrating that the members of the phylum Arthropoda, to which Tenebrio molitor belongs, contain a number of potentially allergenic proteins, the Authority concluded in its opinion that the consumption of the novel food may also induce sensitization to proteins of the larvae of Tenebrio molitor. The authority therefore recommended further research into the allergenicity of Tenebrio molitor larvae” (7).
From my point of view, it is incomprehensible why the EU Commission, despite the unclear situation, allows the UV-irradiated pest powder for use in food and, moreover, refrains from specific labeling requirements, stating: “In order to comply with the Authority's recommendation, the Commission is currently examining the possibilities to carry out the necessary research on the allergenicity of larvae of Tenebrio molitor. Pending the evaluation by the Authority of the data generated by the research, and given the limited data directly linking the consumption of larvae of Tenebrio molitor to cases of primary sensitization and allergy, the Commission considers that no specific labelling requirements concerning the potential of UV-treated powder of whole larvae of Tenebrio molitor to cause primary sensitization should be included in the conditions of use of the novel food" (8).
Our ancestors still ate honest grains and natural ingredients, but in the 21st century industrially processed insects are now supposed to “enrich” our diet. If you don't want to take any risks, do as many satisfied shoppers do and check your food purchases for insect flour, insect fat and other ingredients from insects with the app www.insectinspect.app
The app can read the list of ingredients and therefore offers the highest hit rates
The app reads the EAN code or the list of ingredients and reliably identifies unwanted insect ingredients. And of course the app also works for checking dog and cat food for unwanted insect ingredients such as house cricket, flour beetle, grasshopper and buffalo worm. Unlike comparable apps, the app can read the list of ingredients and is therefore independent of the functionality of the EAN code.
This is important because many EAN codes are not stored in official databases such as the Open Food Fact. This is where comparable apps fall short and often display a question mark because they cannot read the ingredients. InsectInspect.app does not let you down here, which is particularly important for regional foods, as these are not usually stored in official databases. The app is available for both iOS and Android. On this website you will find the links to the Apple Shop and Google Play, where you can purchase the product for a small fee and download it to your smartphone.
Sources:
(1) Geistler-Quendler, M. (14.02.2024): Green Deal bring Bauern an ihre Grenzen. https://ktn.lko.at/green-deal-bringt-die-bauern-an-ihre-grenzen+2400+3982606#:~:text=Fl%C3%A4chenstilllegungen%3A%20Sauer%20sto%C3%9Fen%20B%C3%A4uerinnen%20und,10%20ha%20auch%202024%20aussetzen.
(2)DURCHFÜHRUNGSVERORDNUNG (EU) 2025/89 DER KOMMISSION vom 20. Januar 2025 zur Genehmigung des Inverkehrbringens von UV-behandeltem Pulver ganzer Larven von Tenebrio molitor (Mehlwurm) als neuartiges Lebensmittel und zur Änderung der Durchführungsverordnung (EU) 2017/2470. Abgerufen am 04.02.2025 von https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/DE/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202500089.
(3) Ebenda, Artikel 3.
(4) Ursprünge von Nutriearth - Unsere Geschichte. Abgerufen am 03.02.2025 von https://www.nutriearth.fr/a-propos/.
(5) Ebenda.
(6) DURCHFÜHRUNGSVERORDNUNG (EU) 2025/89 DER KOMMISSION vom 20. Januar 2025 zur Genehmigung des Inverkehrbringens von UV-behandeltem Pulver ganzer Larven von Tenebrio molitor (Mehlwurm) als neuartiges Lebensmittel und zur Änderung der Durchführungsverordnung (EU) 2017/2470. Artikel 8. Abgerufen am 04.02.2025 von https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/DE/TXT/PDF/?uri=OJ:L_202500089.
(7) Ebenda, Artikel 9.
(8) Ebenda, Artikel 10.
Image credits::
Grille auf Brot: Lizensiert von Sarah.adobe.stock
Insektenfabrik: Lizensiert von Yiulia.adobe.stock
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