No one should be tricked into eating insects

The Swedish Food Agency warns against spreading rumors and sends a clarification.

Insects must not be sold without the consumers’ knowledge, they write on their website.

– No one should be tricked into eating insects, says adviser Astrid Walles Granberg.

Interest in food with insects in it has increased in recent years, according to the Swedish Food Agency. Many people choose insects in their food for environmental reasons.

It is about products such as mealworm powder or cricket bread. But roasted whole insects, such as crickets, are also sold.

Now they are warning against the spread of false rumours. That insects are in food and sold without consumers knowing about it. A reputation that occurs in several European countries.

– No one should be tricked into eating insects without knowing it, says Astrid Walles Granberg, who is an adviser at the Swedish Food Agency.

Ok from the EU is required

What has given rise to the spread of rumors and misconceptions is that Buffalo larvae have been approved for use in food within the EU, writes the Swedish Food Agency. But the caterpillar has undergone a risk assessment and received approval from the European Commission. It is thus subject to the same rules as other insects.

Insects that are approved and sold have no natural toxins in them and are not bred in a way that allows it to contain infections or toxins.

Must be clear

If there are insects in the food, it must be clearly visible on the product’s packaging. It often appears in the name, like the previously mentioned mealworm powder. If the name does not reveal it, it should say – in Swedish – which insect it is about in the list of ingredients.

– Anyone who does not want to eat insects should of course not do so. Just as with all food that is sold, it must be clear in the labeling which ingredients are included so that we can choose for ourselves whether we want to eat the food or not, says Astrid Walles Granberg.

Restaurants have the same clarity requirements. It must be stated in the dish’s description on the menu if it contains insects. For example, you can make sausages or tacos with insects.

However, those allergic to shellfish or dust mites should be careful, as they may also be allergic to insects.

Facts

These insects are approved by the EU

Read more