EU authorises UV-treated yellow mealworm powder as a novel food
What was demonstrated
On 20 January 2025 the European Commission authorised the placing on the market of UV-treated powder of whole, thermally treated and ground yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) larvae as a novel food. The Commission's insect novel food page links the authorisation to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/89. The page gives no conditions of use beyond the applicant's proposal, and no feed conversion, cost or environmental figures for the product.
Why it matters
Each authorisation lets one insect-derived ingredient be placed on the EU market as a novel food. The Commission page lists this as one of several insect authorisations. The authorisation does not by itself show that insect protein is commercially viable or that producers will scale up.
Caveats
- The EFSA opinion linked from the Commission page could not be opened. The page says EFSA found the powder safe under the uses and use levels proposed by the applicant, and this record relies on that summary only.
- Regulation (EU) 2025/89 could not be read from the sources checked. The page says the act sets labelling requirements on allergenicity, but this record does not state the full conditions or labelling rules.
- A novel food authorisation allows the product to be placed on the market. It does not show that any producer sells it, or at what volume, and it does not show nutritional, environmental or cost performance of the powder.
Technology profiles
Sources
- government report
Approval of another insect/insect-derived food as a Novel Food
European Commission, 20 Jan 2025.
Last reviewed 21 Oct 2026.