The claim
A study by the Léon University of Veterinary Medicine in Spain warns of serious damage caused by eating insects.
Our conclusion
The text quoted is not a scientific study, but comes from a popular science website. He summarizes the risks that should generally be taken into account when insects are used as a food source. When referring to specific toxins, the names of the respective insects are sometimes deliberately omitted. This is not about the insects that have been approved as “novel foods” in the EU. Without this context, the posts are misleading.
Spanish media publishes research on serious damage caused by eating insects “A ULe study comes to...
Posted by Hey Li at the Monday, January 30, 2023
“Insect study”: Postings on Telegram, Twitter and Facebook quote and link to a text from the regional Spanish agricultural website agrodiario.com . appeared on theconversation.com The text is not a study, but a paper that reflects and discusses the current state of knowledge about the potential health risks of consuming insects. The postings take this information out of context and thus fuel fears.
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The Spanish “study” that is not
article , the authors, four researchers from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of León, address general problems and dangers that should be taken into account when using insects as food. However, this is not specifically about the species that have been approved by the EU as novel foods. Briefly summarized, the first section addresses toxic substances and also those that can cause problems with the digestion and absorption of proteins, vitamins and minerals.
Precisely because there are insect species in which problematic chemical compounds can occur, this must be taken into account when considering possible approval as a novel food. There is not a word in the text that these poisons occur in crickets or mealworms, for example. Chitin is called an “anti-nutritive substance”: a substance that can prevent or hinder the absorption of certain nutrients. such “ antinutrients ” occur in many foods and are particularly often “secondary plant substances”.

The researchers' text also talks about bacteria, parasites and toxins due to chemical contamination. The risk of allergic reactions is also briefly discussed. All problems that can also affect conventional foods. So the considerations are not much different for (raw) chicken, potatoes or peanuts. What is needed are control mechanisms on the one hand and recommendations for use and preparation on the other.
The authors from the University of León recommend further research. But this doesn't just apply to the risks:
Insects could help alleviate food supply problems. In general, these products have good nutritional quality and, in some cases, interesting technological properties. In addition, the low environmental impact of its production is an aspect that speaks in favor of its consumption, which has already been recommended by some international organizations such as the FAO.
Excerpt from the published text on theconversation.com
Insects as novel foods
Novel foods are new foods that were not consumed in significant quantities in the EU before 1997. These foods have new properties due to their composition, origin or production method. Before they are approved for sale, these foods must undergo a thorough safety assessment to ensure that they are safe for consumption and do not cause nutritional deficiencies or other problems.
In 2013, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) initiated a public discussion: insect protein could contribute to global food security. There are also fiber and many micronutrients. There are around 2,000 edible species , and they are already part of the diet of 2 billion people - especially in Asia, Africa and Latin America. They also have advantages for the climate and the environment: they require less feed and water than conventional farm animals.

The Novel Food Regulation regulates novel foods in the EU and has been in force since January 2018. The Novel Food Regulation defines new foods and sets out the procedure for their approval. There is a normal and a simplified procedure for traditional foods from third countries. Some types of foods such as flavors, enzymes, additives, genetically modified foods and food extraction solvents are exempt from this regulation and are subject to their own legal regulations.
The EU considers insects to be novel foods. approved as a novel food by the EU Commission . Since then, other species have been added: the migratory locust, the cricket and the grain mold beetle. However, the use of these insects is initially limited to the company that submitted the application for approval for the first five years after approval. They may be marketed as such or for use in certain food categories under certain conditions, such as dried or powdered.
Conclusion: Yes, there is a paper (not a study) by scientists at the University of Léon from May 2022. However, the statements in it are taken out of context.
In the postings, when references to specific toxins are made, the names of the respective insects are sometimes deliberately omitted. The text discusses potential health risks of eating insects: There are insects that contain toxins. But these are different than those currently approved in the EU. Further risks: Allergic reactions similar to those with soft/crustaceans are possible; insects can also be contaminated with bacteria, parasites and chemicals that are harmful to health. The authors recommend further studies, not only because of the risks, but also because of the opportunities presented by a diet containing insects.
Sources: theconversation.com , agrodiario.com , German Federal Center for Nutrition , oesterreich-isst-informiert.at , eur-lex.europa.eu
Further fact checks on the topic:
Gaucher disease is not caused by chitin
Molluscs: Insects in food?
Not a fake: EU allows home grilling as a food additive
Note: This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication
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