EFSA has given a provisional green light for human consumption of the Lesser 
mealworm in a major step forward for the insect industry
With production already underway in the Netherlands, Ynsect is now ready to 
accelerate the commercialisation of its products across new European markets
Last month, 96% adults surveyed across the US, UK, France and Netherlands who 
had already eaten insects or insect protein said they liked them or would try 
them again
Ynsect aims to use insect protein as a solution to help tackle some of the 
major challenges of our time: feeding the world's population, preserving 
resources and biodiversity, and fighting global warming

 Human insect consumption – as a nutrient-rich and efficient means to support 
sustainability and meet climate change targets – has received another boost 
today as the lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus) becomes the fourth insect 
to receive a positive assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) 
for human consumption.

The EFSA assessment will have to be confirmed by the European Commission, which 
will give the final authorisation for market approval in the EU following 
endorsement by the EU Member States authorities, before the product can go more 
widely on sale across the continent.

This decision comes as great news for global leader in insect farming, Ynsect, 
whose Netherlands operation (formerly Protifarm) submitted the application to 
EFSA with a view to expanding its activities in Europe in line with the EU's 
sustainability goals. Ynsect has the infrastructure in place to expand 
production and distribution immediately once the European Commission's green 
light comes.

The race for alternative and sustainable proteins is on as the World Resources 
Institute predicts a 60% gap between supply and demand for protein by 2050.

While insect approval for human consumption is a relatively new concept, it is 
one that is already taking off in developing markets. Ynsect's other hero 
protein, Molitor mealworms, were the first insect authorised by EFSA in January 
2021.

In a survey commissioned by Ynsect and conducted OnePoll in April 2022 across 
the UK, US, Netherlands and France, nearly three fifths of all respondents 
(57%) revealed a willingness to consume insects once the environmental and 
health benefits had been explained. Moreover, 96% of the 8,326 adults surveyed 
who had already eaten insects or insect protein said they liked them or would 
try them again.

"The recent assessment by EFSA that lesser mealworms are safe for human 
consumption is a significant step forward for the company's expansion", 
commented Antoine Hubert, CEO, and co-founder of Ynsect. He added: "Mealworm 
protein offers the best of both worlds, as nutritionally beneficial as animal 
protein, but with a much lower environmental impact. The scientific community 
is increasingly rallying around the idea, with a 2022 report by the University 
of Helsinki suggesting that a diet incorporating large amounts of insect 
protein offers the optimum solution to reduce environmental impact by over 80% 
while offering high nutritional benefits to consumers."

When asked if they thought (human) food manufacturers should make insect 
proteins more widely incorporated into their products, over three quarters of 
global survey respondents (79%) said yes, as long as it is clearly indicated on 
the packaging.

Ynsect Human Nutrition & Health already sells ingredients using the lesser 
mealworm (branded AdalbaPro) that can be found in a variety of products across 
Europe, including Zirp in more han 800 Bila stores Austria, cereal bars and 
Issac shakes, and gourmet burgers made from beetles found in several Danish 
restaurants. The company is now on track to accelerate production to meet the 
increasing demand across EU markets.

CONTACT: Ynsect - Anaïs Maury: anais.maury@ynsect.com / +33 (0)6 78 44 59 80
Sopexa – Rana Barbari: rbarbari@hopscotch.eu / + 353 15569720

SOURCE: Ynsect