Insects and algae on the table of the European | eatparade
In 1997, after having launched the Regulation for the authorization for new foods, days ago in Strasbourg, the European Parliament together with the Council, approved with 359 yes, 202 no, 127 abstentions, the authorization of the use of novel foods , the so-called “novel food”. It is insects, worms, larvae, scorpions and spiders; but also algae and food products in the laboratory and nanomaterials. Missing only the vote of approval of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). It must conduct an analysis to determine whether a food has an effect on human health.
According to a survey Coldiretti / Iprmarketing are only 8% of Italians who assaggerebbero insects, while 19% would not want to at all in his flat crocodile meat.
At Expo, there were already edible insects but only to put them on display, while a few days ago, there was the first tasting with chef, authorized by the Ministry of Health: crickets paired with canapés with cream cheese and crickets with caramelized biscuits and chocolate. The buffet was prepared by the young chef Marco Ambrosino, using the products of Belgium, who in late 2013 was authorized for human consumption, the sale of ten species of insects.
The taste was preceded by a conference on insects as food of the future, since, as noted by FAO, are sustainable foods, rich in protein and amino acids. Not only that, they are a great substitute for fishmeal and soy in the production of animal feed. The conference was conducted by Andrea Mascaretti, creator of the “Edible insects”, flanked by the spokesman of the Humane Society and Coop Italy.
Currently, the human consumption of certain species of insects, is only permitted in Belgium, Holland, Denmark and Britain.
