Green light from the EU

The mealworm’s journey: from jungle camp to plate

Not everyone likes it on their plate: mealworms are now also available as a powder.(Bild: Waltraud Ingerl)

A new EUregulation allows the larvae of the Tenebrio molitor - commonly known as the mealworm - to be mixed into various foods. Krone+ took a look at who produces the protein bomb, where it can be found and which animals are already on supermarket shelves.

What has always been considered commonplace in Asian cuisine is now creeping into European cooking pots as a trend: bugs and worms in food. Since February 10, thanks to an EU directive, it has been permitted to add Tenebrio molitor (mealworm) as a powder to various foods. The larvae of the mealworm can now be found in these products: