New foods approved by the European Union: Larvae, beetles, mushrooms and crickets

The European Commission (EC) has authorized the marketing of frozen, paste, dried and powdered forms of Alphitobius diaperinus (dung beetle) larvae as novel food. This is indicated in Regulation 2023/58 published last Friday, January 6, in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU).

This regulation is in addition to the one published on January 4, which authorized the marketing of novel foods for human consumption made from mushrooms and crickets, among other ingredients, also giving the green light to the sale of pea and rice protein.

Food fermented by shiitake mushroom mycelia is also a novel food in the EU, after the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded that its use is safe under the proposed conditions. Thus, this protein can be used in bakery products, cereals, beverages, dairy products, meat preparations, soups or salads and a long etcetera.

Additionally, the commercialization of partially defatted powder of Acheta domesticus (domestic cricket) has been authorized as a new food for the preparation of breads, cookies, cereal bars, sauces, soups, snacks with corn flour, beer-like beverages, chocolates and other articles.