Grilli and larvae on the plate? Italians are not interested

Grilli and larvae on the plate? No thank you! The fashion of insects at the table is not taken on Italians with imports of this type of product for food consumption that collapsed by 30% in 2024, according to a Coldiretti projection on Istat data. The arrivals – underlines Coldiretti – went from 17,600 kilograms of 2023 to 11,500 last year. Numbers also confirmed also by the latest survey by Notosondaggi, according to which 78% of Italians expressing an opinion they are against the consumption of foods that contain insects also in flourdespite the aggressive campaigns in favor of the introduction in the diet, on the basis of alleged “green” values.

In addition to being very far from national gastronomic culture – recalls Coldiretti – In fact, the consumption of these products raises important questions regarding food and environmental health and safety. Alongside the fact of being potentially allergenic, most of these insects are produced and transformed into non-EU countries, such as Vietnam, Thailand and China, which for years have occupied the first positions in the rankings for the number of food alarms.

Many doubts had, however, has also raised the last eu go -ahead on the arrival on the market of Larva dust of Tenebrio Moliter (yellow worm of flour) treated with ultraviolet rays to increase the content of vitamin D. A real “ultra transformed” production procedure which, according to Coldiretti, should be accompanied by a precise labeling to correctly inform consumers.

The marketing of insects for food purposes – Coldiretti recalls – was made possible in Europe by the entry into force from January 1, 2018 of the EU Regulation on “Novel Food” which allows you to recognize Insects both as new foods and as traditional products from third countries. On the occasion of the arrival on the market of the first products based on Coldiretti insects, he asked that their presence was indicated on the label since the consumption of these insects can cause reactions to allergic people to crustaceans and mites of dust. An appeal followed by the signature of four decrees to ensure the necessary transparency to consumers.