Agronutris : the first player to receive a favorable opinion on the consumption of insects in Europe

Saint-Orens de Gameville (France) – January 13, 2021

For the first time, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published a favorable opinion on the consumption of insects in Europe, concluding that the tenebrio molitor (mealworm) raised and processed by Agronutris is a safe food. 

Agronutris, a European pioneer in the industry, has become the first company to obtain a favorable opinion. This opinion follows Agronutris’submission of a Novel Food dossier in early 2018. EFSA recognizes the unique and unprecedented nature of the data and process developed by Agronutris over the past 10 years.

Since 2018, the marketing of insects has been regulated by the Novel Food regulation. Until now, no company had yet received a favorable opinion under the regulation. In order to market insect-based products, breeders must, in accordance with the new regulation, submit a Novel Food dossier to the European Commission, which must be positively evaluated by EFSA. 

Today, Agronutris, a pionneer company in this sector, opens the way for the industry. Over more than 10 years af research and development in insect rearing, it has been able to generate and accumulate unique data on the biology, microbiology, toxicity ans nutritional composition of insects, enabling it to submit the first European evaluation request dossier. 

« This favorable opinion is a satisfaction. It is the recognition by the highest food safety autority of 10 years of research ans innovation. The will allow insects to fully play their part in the European food system. This opinion recognizes the safe use of Agronutris’tenebrio molitor », says Cédric Auriol, co-founder of Agronutris. 

The final regulatory step is for the European Commission to translate this favorable opinion into authorization, which should occur in the first half of 2021. 

About the sector :

Insects are an innovative and sustainable solution to the environmental and social challenges of society. They are capable of transforming agro-industrial co-products into high-value ingredients, thus contributing to the development of a circular economy. Moreover, as the world’s population grows signaificantly, generating an over-consumption of existing resources, insects appear as a sustainable solution to meet humanity’s protein needs.