Mealworms on the Menu…There’s just one problem…

Leave a CommentMealworms on the Menu…There’s just one problem…Evergreen, Food, Global

This is the World Economic Forum’s agenda in full force. Hundreds of schools in The Netherlands have started a campaign introducing 10-12 year old kids to mealworms and insects as a ‘sustainable’ meat substitute. The goal is to bring about “behavioral changes through unprejudiced children.”

Three types of bugs have now been certified as food fit for human consumption by the European Union. The European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) said it had found the mealworms or Tenebrio molitor larva were safe to be eaten “either as a whole dried insect or in the form of powder” after an application from French insect-rearing firm Micronutrients.

Here’s the Report’s summary:

Abstract

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on UV‐treated powder of whole yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor larva) as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The term yellow mealworm refers to the larval form of the insect species T. molitor. The NF is the UV‐treated powder of the whole, thermally dried yellow mealworm. The NF consists mainly of crude protein, fat, digestible carbohydrates and fibre (chitin). The Panel notes that the levels of contaminants in the NF highly depend on the occurrence levels of these substances in the insect feed. The Panel notes furthermore that there are no safety concerns regarding the stability of the NF if the NF complies with the proposed specification limits during its entire shelf life. The NF has a high protein content, although the true protein content in the NF is overestimated when using the nitrogen‐to‐protein conversion factor of 6.25, due to the presence of non‐protein nitrogen. The applicant proposed to use the NF as an ingredient in various food products, such as bakery products, pasta, compotes of fruit/vegetables and cheese. The target population is the general population. The Panel notes that considering the composition of the NF, the proposed conditions of use and that the NF will not be the sole source of dietary protein, the consumption of the NF is not nutritionally disadvantageous. Despite the UV treatment, the Panel notes that the NF is not a significant dietary contributor of vitamin D3. The submitted toxicity studies from the literature did not raise safety concerns. The Panel considers that the consumption of the NF may induce primary sensitisation and allergic reactions to yellow mealworm proteins and may cause allergic reactions in subjects with allergies to crustaceans and dust mites. Additionally, allergens from the feed may end up in the NF. With the exception of possible allergenicity, the Panel concludes that the NF is safe under the proposed uses and use levels.

There’s just one teensy, weensy problem

Recombinant (lab-made, genetically altered) proteins are rejected by the body and chitin is indigestible to humans. Birds and small lizards can break it down, we can’t. There is also reason to believe chitin is carcinogenic for humans and other mammals when consumed over time.

In addition, the nutritional equivalent would be 1/8th of a pound of peanuts per pound of bugs. The answer is obvious – eat peanuts!

Slebs just can’t stop meddling and being stupid