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Finland must interpret EU novel food regulation to permit insect sale
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Friday, 22 September, 2017, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Helsinki
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Finland’s ministry of agriculture and forestry has now recommended that it also interpret the European Union (EU) regulation on novel foods in such a way that the breeding and sale of insects as food is permitted even in the country. At the same time, the insect industry will be covered by the food inspection system.
The interest in raising and using insects as food has also increased among Finnish consumers and entrepreneurs. Insects have been sold like kitchen decorations.
Legally, the breeding of insects has neither been regarded as food production, nor has it been covered by food inspection.
This would change the ministry as possible because the EU New Food Regulation allowed room for interpretation.
Producing protein from insects and their contribution to food security in the world has been debated in other EU countries.
The debate has led to the fact that some of them have interpreted the EU New Food Regulation in a way that made it possible to breed and sell whole insects as food.
“Considering insects as food allows food inspection in the insect industry that is on an upward trend. This is necessary to ensure food safety,” said Jari Leppä, minister, agriculture and forestry.
An insect industry development also offered new business models for the food industry in Finland.
First, however, we must decide on the clear rules of play that should be based on scientific research.
Considering insects as food means that the requirements for food legislation and appropriate supervision are applied to insect production.
“We assume that the entrepreneurs already in the industry have acted reasonably and that the business can now continue openly,” said Sebastian Hielm, food safety director, ministry of agriculture and forestry.
“For consumers and the local food inspection, it is good that this growth industry now has common action patterns,” he added.
The Food Safety Authority at Evira welcomed the decision to change the interpretation.
“To breed and sell insects for food purposes requires that we ensure that end products are safe for consumers,” said Leena Räsänen, director, Food Safety Department, Evira.
“Evira will provide instructions for both producers and regulators. We will also immediately start planning game rules for the business together with the industry’s entrepreneurs,” she added.
“In production, for example, make sure that the hygiene is good and that the labels on the packaging contain information on allergy-causing substances, for instance, allergens,” said Räsänen.
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