Free Republic

Starting February 10, European consumers may find a surprising new ingredient in their everyday meals—UV-treated mealworm powder. Under a new EU regulation, up to 4% of this insect-based protein can be added to bread, cheese, pasta, and other products. Derived from the larvae of the mealworm beetle and treated with UV light for safety, the ingredient is being promoted as a sustainable protein alternative. However, those with shellfish allergies should be cautious due to potential cross-reactivity.

The Biden administration’s Department of Agriculture awarded a $131,500 grant last year to a firm that makes cricket protein powder made for human consumption, the Daily Caller News Foundation reported. In July 2023, the grant was awarded to Mighty Cricket to fund a St. Louis-based cricket farm, where the insects would be fed landfill “food waste.” According to the grant’s summary, the research would address “the need for more cost-efficient production of crickets as a sustainable protein source.” It notes that the cost of cricket protein is more than twice the amount of other protein alternatives, citing a “lack of...