EU Agency Assesses Safety of Cricket Powder as a Novel Food

On July 29, 2024, an important scientific breakthrough was made in the field of global food safety. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) announced that its Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) research group, after a long and rigorous evaluation, gave an authoritative scientific opinion on the safety of Acheta domesticus powder as a novel food. This decision not only marks another important milestone for insect protein as a food source, but also heralds a profound transformation of the global food industry.

House cricket powder, which sounds like a slightly strange food raw material, actually contains a wealth of nutritional value. According to a detailed analysis by EFSA's panel of experts, the main components of house cricket powder include high-quality protein, moderate amounts of fat and rich dietary fiber (especially chitosan). These ingredients not only provide the body with essential energy and nutrients, but also have certain health benefits. For example, protein is the basic material that makes up human tissues and is essential for maintaining life activities and promoting growth and development; Dietary fiber can help improve intestinal health and prevent digestive diseases such as constipation.

However, during the evaluation, the panel also identified possible problems with house cricket powder. Among them, the content of pollutants is particularly concerned, because this indicator is directly related to the safety and quality of new foods. Fortunately, through rigorous testing and analysis, the team found that as long as the house cricket feed meets the prescribed contaminant level limits, the produced house cricket meal does not pose a safety hazard in terms of stability. This conclusion undoubtedly provides a strong guarantee for the commercial application of domestic cricket powder.

In addition, the Panel noted the impact of chitosan on the assessment of protein content. Due to the presence of chitosan, the traditional nitrogen-protein conversion factor (usually 6.25) can produce a certain error in calculating the protein content of domestic cricket meal, resulting in high results. In order to more accurately reflect the true nutritional value of house cricket meal, the team recommended the use of more accurate assessment methods.

In terms of safety, EFSA's expert panel makes a comprehensive assessment of the composition of the novel food, the proposed conditions of use and the potential health risks. They believe that house cricket powder is safe as a new food under the proposed conditions of use. However, they also warn consumers to be aware of primary sensitization issues that may be caused by house cricket protein, and specifically note that people who are allergic to crustaceans, mites and mollusks should be cautious about consumption. In addition, since insect feed may contain allergens, these allergens may also enter the domestic cricket meal through the food chain, thus increasing the risk of allergies.

To ensure the safety and sustainability of domestic cricket meal, EFSA's expert panel also recommended stricter regulation and regulation of the insect farming industry. This includes developing more stringent feed standards, strengthening the monitoring and management of the farming environment, and establishing a sound traceability system. At the same time, they also called on food producers to strengthen self-discipline and integrity construction to ensure the quality and safety of products.

EFSA's scientific opinion on the safety of house cricket meal as a novel food not only supports the commercial application of insect proteins, but also injects new vitality into the sustainable development of the global food industry. We have reason to believe that in the near future, home cricket powder will become a unique food on people's table and make greater contributions to human health and nutrition.