Let them eat worms

General Discussion
1

On 20 January 2025, the Commission authorised the placing on the market of UV-treated powder of whole Tenebrio molitor larvae (yellow mealworm)(Implementing regulation - EU - 2025/89 - EN - EUR-Lex) as a novel food.

Meanwhile, EFSA concluded that the consumption of the evaluated insect proteins may potentially lead to allergic reactions, particularly in subjects with pre-existing allergies to crustaceans, dust mites and in some cases molluscs. Additionally, allergens from the feed (e.g. gluten) may end up in the insect that is consumed.

Yuck!

2

Sounds very ā€˜novelā€™, but I think Iā€™ll give that one a miss.

1 Like
3

Iā€™ve got a huge bin-sized bag of whole dried mealworms for my hens, they love them, as do the wild birds.

4

Eating worms will do far less damage to you than eating McDonalds. .

Mopane worms are a regular item in Southern African breakfasts, Google it :slightly_smiling_face:

IMG_1791
IMG_1791679Ɨ452 43.3 KB

1 Like
5

With milk and sugar ?

1 Like
6

I have to say Iā€™ve tried the mealworms and bof, not a treat - but if you eat crisps and that sort of crunchy snacky thing you might like them. They could be improved with salt etc.

1 Like
7

No, just on a plate. I have to admit I couldnā€™t even look at them, but my wife liked them. She was quite adventurous cuisine wise :slightly_smiling_face:

1 Like
8

No thanks ! I couldnā€™t even bear to look at your photo. If this comes to pass, which unfortunately most things ordained by the Commission do, all packaging will need have jolly good warnings for people with allergies.

9

There seem to be some advantages to eating insects

1 Like
10

If I was in a survival situation Iā€™d eat them along with all those rose chafer larvae I seem to dig up a lot, but as I donā€™t eat meat, Iā€™m unlikely to start on the insect world, asides from the odd unseen bug that goes unnoticed in my vegetable garden produce. :slight_smile:

11

With respect thats an advert, thinly disguised as journalism.

12

Going slightly off topic for a minute, Scottish salmon have been allowed to remove the ā€œfarmedā€ word from their toxic product as people have been made aware of how terrible farmed salmon is.

A disgusting move IMO. To hide the truth and not improve the conditions of the fish farm.

4 Likes
13

How brave you are Vero !

1 Like
14

Iā€™m not sure thereā€™s much of a difference between grubs and crustaceans, in principle anyway.

5 Likes
15

No bravery I assure you, they arenā€™t moving, that would be very off-putting. My children introduced me to insect-eating, they got crickets which were flavoured, the taste was ok but I found them a little spiky, a bit like wheat with the husk on.

1 Like
16

With what Vero?
My jaded view is there are some very wealthy people behind farming these bugs very very cheaply then spend far more on the PR to convince people they can save the world whilst they laugh all the way to the bank. Yes sure some countries do eat them but they have adapted to do so.
The messages on media these days are rather worrying

2 Likes
17

I was fed chocolate coated crickets at an apero some time ago. When I found out I was hopping mad.

1 Like
18

Were the hosts for the high jump?

19

There were several sorts, one was paprika and piment dā€™Espelette, one super incongruously was fruity, maybe fruits des bois (deffo not my favourite), and one was barbecue but tasted more like hoisin sauce.

1 Like
20

I agree Corona. Itā€™s not the only thing thatā€™s unsettling these days.