© François Lenoir/Reuters
Move paves way for high-protein maggot-like insect to be approved for consumption across Europe
Move paves way for high-protein maggot-like insect to be approved for consumption across Europe
The delicacies may not be advisable for everyone, however. Those with prawn and dustmite allergies are likely to suffer a reaction to the Tenebrio molitor larvae, whether eaten in powder form as part of a recipe or as a crunchy snack, perhaps dipped in chocolate.
The conclusion of scientists at the EU food safety agency, following an application by the French insect-for-food production company, Agronutris, is expected to lead to EU-wide approval within months of yellow mealworm as a product fit for supermarket shelves and kitchen pantries across the continent.
Comment: There's a reason that Europeans don't eat insects. Even during times of war, when food was strictly rationed, eating maggots would have been seen as a last resort. It is true, however, that during times of food scarcity people did eat less than ideal sources of protein, knowing that, otherwise, they would starve; it's also true that their health suffered for it.
It's also notable that this sinister push for the public to eat insects and frankenfoods comes at a time when throughout the Western world - especially so now with the endless, rolling lockdowns - soaring numbers of families are forced to visit foodbanks to survive. What are the chances that these 'novel' sources of protein will find their way into the food chain of the poor? You can be sure that the well off will not be chowing down on maggot sausages: