«Edible Insects»: Entomophagy in light of the new European Legislation on novel Foods

Day after day, insects as alternative sources of food, or more specifically protein, is starting to become a very hot topic. In many areas of the world, certain insects species are a traditional sources of food. Insects contain protein, vitamins, minerals and fatty acids. They could, therefore, partially replace animal protein in people’s diets. The interest in edible insects is gradually growing also in Western countries. 2015 seemed to represent the turning point for entomophagy within the European Union. The new novel foods’ rules laid down by Regulation (EU) n. 2015/2283 on Novel foods explicitly regulate insects consumption for the first time in Europe. This research will focus on the regulatory approach that the European Union has been taking on the issue. Starting from a short summary of the potential benefitis of insects as food and feed, with particular reference to the environment and the food security, this work aims to highlight the importance of law as a precondition to the diffusion of entomophagy and to discuss its possible shortcomings.