Crickets and Larvae on the Plate? No, Thanks!
The trend of eating insects is failing to take hold in Italy, with imports of edible insects plummeting by 30% in 2024, according to a Coldiretti projection based on Istat data. Imports dropped from 17,600 kilograms in 2023 to just 11,500 kilograms last year. This decline is echoed by a Notosondaggi survey, which found that 78% of Italians with an opinion on the matter oppose the consumption of insect-based foods, including those in powdered form—despite aggressive marketing campaigns promoting them as an eco-friendly choice.
Beyond being entirely foreign to Italy’s culinary tradition, Coldiretti warns that insect-based products raise significant concerns regarding health, food safety, and environmental impact. Many of these insects are produced and processed in non-EU countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, and China, which consistently rank among the top nations for food safety alerts. Additionally, insect consumption poses potential allergenic risks, particularly for individuals allergic to shellfish and dust mites.
Further controversy arose with the EU’s recent approval of Tenebrio molitor larvae powder (yellow mealworm) treated with ultraviolet rays to boost its vitamin D content. Coldiretti argues that this highly processed product should be subject to clear labeling to ensure consumers are fully informed.
The sale of edible insects in Europe became legal with the enforcement of the EU’s “novel food” regulation on January 1, 2018, which officially recognized insects as both new food items and traditional products from third countries. When insect-based foods first entered the market, Coldiretti called for mandatory labeling to disclose their presence, emphasizing the potential health risks for allergy sufferers. This campaign led to the adoption of four decrees aimed at ensuring greater transparency for consumers.
