Insider / ΚΥΠΕ
The marketing of household jack as a food ingredient in the European Union market has been approved by the Commission, according to a relevant announcement.
With this decision, the house cricket (Acheta domesticus) becomes the third insect approved for consumption as a food in the European Union after the approval last July for the dried yellow meal and in November for the migratory locust.
The home jack can be sold whole, either frozen, dried or powdered.
After a thorough evaluation, the European Food Safety Authority had concluded that the consumption of this insect is safe in terms of the uses for which the applicant company has applied for approval. The Member States gave their approval by decision on 8 December 2021.
According to the Commission communication, the products containing this new food will be properly labeled to prevent any allergic reactions.
The International Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has found in recent years that insects are a nutritious and healthy food, high in fats, proteins, vitamins, fiber and minerals.
Insects are also an important part of the daily diet of hundreds of millions of people around the world, and are recognized as part of the EU Farm-to-Dish strategy as an alternative source of protein that can contribute to the transition to a more sustainable diet.
