- EFSA’s provisional green light for the Lesser mealworm for human consumption is a major step forward for the insect industry
- With production already taking place in the Netherlands, Ÿnsect is now ready to accelerate the commercialisation of its products across new European markets
Ÿnsect aims to use insect protein as a solution to help tackle some of the major challenges of our time: feeding the world’s population, preserving resources and biodiversity, and fighting global warmingHuman insect consumption – as a nutrient-rich and efficient means to support sustainability and meet climate change targets – has received another boost today as the lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus) becomes the fourth insect to receive a positive assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for human consumption.
The EFSA assessment will now have to be confirmed by the European Commission, which will give the final authorisation for market approval in the European Union following endorsement by the EU Member States authorities, before the product can go more widely on sale across the whole continent.
This decision comes as great news for global leader in insect farming, Ÿnsect, whose innovative 260-strong team has filed around 350 patents in new technology designed to revolutionize the cultivation of mealworms, transforming them into proteins for domestic animals, fish and livestock, plants and human beings.
Ÿnsect Netherlands (formerly Protifarm) submitted the application to EFSA with a view to expanding its activities in Europe, in line with the EU’s sustainability goals, and has the infrastructure in place to expand production and distribution immediately once the European Commission’s green light is given.
While insect approval for human consumption is a relatively new concept, it is one that is already taking off in developing markets. Ÿnsect’s other hero protein, Molitor mealworms, were the first insect authorised by EFSA in January 2021, shortly before insect protein was then approved in feed for pigs and poultry.
In a survey commissioned by Ÿnsect and conducted OnePoll in April 2022, over half of UK respondents (51%) revealed a willingness to consume insects once the environmental and health benefits had been explained. Moreover, 89% of the 2,149 UK adults surveyed who had already eaten insects or insect protein said they liked what they ate or would eat insects again.
Ÿnsect Human Nutrition & Health already sells ingredients using the lesser mealworm (branded AdalbaPro) that can be found in a variety of products across Europe, including Zirp in more han 800 Bila stores Austria, cereal bars and Issac shakes, and gourmet burgers made from beetles found in several Danish restaurants. The company is now on track to accelerate production to meet the increasing demand across EU markets.
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