No, the EU won’t force you to eat insects (but you can if you want to)

You might have read or heard somewhere that the European Union is going to force us to eat mealworm flour or other insects. But don’t be fooled – this is just fake news intended to undermine trust. 

That said, it’s true that some producers want to market food that traditionally hasn’t been eaten in the EU, such as insect-based products. And yes, these foods are allowed in the EU, on the condition that they fulfil strict standards to guarantee our safety. 

Safety first 

Before any new food arrives on our supermarket shelves, it has to go through a rigorous scientific evaluation. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is in charge of analysing whether these foods are safe for human consumption. 

Detailed information 

If a product does indeed contain insects, this has to be clearly stated on the list of ingredients. Moreover, there needs to be an indication of whether this contains allergens. No surprises here.  

You decide 

Once a new food is authorised, it’s up to you whether to eat it or not. Thanks to European rules, you will find all the details you need to take an informed decision on the nutritional information label.  

To sum up: 

• You decide: no one will make you eat anything you don’t want to. 
• Safety guaranteed: the new food products go through rigorous safety checks. 
• Total transparency: you’ll know exactly what you’re eating. 

Day after day, science and the European institutions work hard to protect our health and our rights as consumers. 

You can read more in these FAQs about food safety