{"id":96902,"date":"2023-02-10T13:44:01","date_gmt":"2023-02-10T09:44:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mythdetector.ge\/?p=96902"},"modified":"2023-02-13T15:21:09","modified_gmt":"2023-02-13T11:21:09","slug":"has-the-eu-permitted-the-use-of-insects-in-food-and-what-do-we-know-about-their-safety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mythdetector.ge\/en\/has-the-eu-permitted-the-use-of-insects-in-food-and-what-do-we-know-about-their-safety\/","title":{"rendered":"Has the EU Permitted the Use of insects in Food and What Do We Know about Their Safety?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Since the end of January, a number of social network users have been actively spreading information about the European Union\u2019s decision to approve the use of insects in food products. Some of them are sceptical of this decision and voice concerns about the potential health risks.<\/span><\/p>\n

On February 4<\/span>th<\/span>, Elizbar Elizbarashvili, a guest on the program \u201c<\/span>Comment of the Day<\/span><\/a>\u201d by the pro-Kremlin \u201cAlt-Info,\u201d noted that the \u201cpropaganda of eating insects\u201d has become active in the European Union, which has already added insects in food, but their danger to human health has not been fully investigated.<\/span><\/p>\n

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On February 2<\/span>nd<\/span>, Georgian (<\/span>1<\/span><\/a>,<\/span>2<\/span><\/a>), as well as Russian-language Facebook accounts (1<\/a>,\u00a02<\/a>), published a video taken in a supermarket, in which they highlight \u201cgommalacca\u201d and \u201cshellack\u201d as the ingredients of \u201cKinder chocolate.\u201d After searching for the names in Google, the search engine shows photos of insects.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

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The disseminated information is partly false. The European Union has indeed allowed certain insects to be used in food products, but the claim that they have not been tested for potential human health risks is false. House cricket (Acheta domesticus) and larvae of lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus larvae) have been inspected by the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA), which confirms that their consumption is not dangerous for human health. As for \u201cKinder\u201d, its packaging indicates the presence of shellac, the same natural resin, in the product, and not any insect.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

According to the decisions taken by the European Commission on January<\/span> 3<\/span><\/a>rd<\/span> and<\/span> 5<\/span><\/a>th<\/span>, 2023, two products, namely – house cricket (Acheta domesticus) and larvae of lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus larvae) have been approved for human consumption. Flour made from them, as well as their use in food production, can be used in a dried state.<\/span><\/p>\n

The European Commission granted a 5-year permit for the production and sale of insect flour in the European Union to two companies – Vietnamese Cricket One Co. and French Ynsect NL B.V. As mentioned on the website of the European Commission, a new food product is authorized only after its safety for human health has been<\/span> established<\/span><\/a> by research. Both new foods have undergone rigorous scientific testing by the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA), which has confirmed that<\/span> both<\/span><\/a> are<\/span><\/a> safe when used in prescribed doses.<\/span><\/p>\n

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It should also be noted that, like other products (milk, eggs, fish, etc.), the risk of an allergic reaction is also associated with edible insects, the probability of allergy is higher in people who have had allergies to crustaceans, dust mites and mollusks in the past. This is why EFSA requires specific allergen labelling from product manufacturers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKinder\u201d contains natural resin and not any insect<\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n

In the video, the ingredient shown on the packaging of \u201cKinder\u201d chocolate, gommalacca, also known as<\/span> shellac<\/span><\/a>, is not an insect but a natural resin that is<\/span> secreted<\/span><\/a> by the female lacca (Kerria lacca) living in tropical forests. This insect spends its whole life attached to the tree.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Shellac is used as a<\/span> coating<\/span><\/a> for various foods to protect the product from moisture. Products include candy, chocolate, starchy snacks, chewing gum, nuts, etc. Shellac is a safe, non-toxic, hypoallergenic, odorless and tasteless substance and has been FDA-<\/span>approved<\/span><\/a> since 2011.<\/span><\/p>\n

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For more information about edible insects, see the article by Myth Detector:<\/span><\/p>\n