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Almost everyone who keeps pets that are not cats or dogs are familiar with the mealworms. They are great snacks for more exotic pets. However, they may no longer just be pet foods as the EU just labeled them safe for human consumption.
(Photo : Raimond Spekking via WIkimedia Commons)
Mealworms as food
European Union (EU) food safety agency declared yellow mealworm safe for human consumption. Because of the declaration, exotic food producers can now mass-produce foods and snacks made from the worms all across Europe.
The EU food safety agency came to a conclusion after following-up on an application from the French company Agronutris.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has greenlighted the use of dried mealworms (Tenebrio monitor) for human consumption, the Parma-based agency said in a risk-assessment opinion published on Wednesday, paving the way for the authorisation of these products before they can be put on the EU mar
The EU’s food watchdog on January 13 paved the way for diners across Europe to tuck into insects as it gave safety approval for human consumption of dried yellow mealworm. The move by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is the preliminary step needed before officials can decide whether to allow the beetle larvae to be sold to consumers across the 27-nation bloc.