Well-known food companies have been incorporating ingredients from insects into our everyday products for years, without many consumers knowing it. From beloved chocolates to yogurts we enjoy, brands like Kinder, Ferrero, and Ehrmann use insect extracts as natural colorings and coatings. This practice has become even more widespread with new European regulations that allowed the use of additional insect species in the food industry this year.
Read: These are the foods that will contain worm and insect powder
New European regulations for insects in food
In 2023, two significant European Union regulations came into effect that expand the use of insects in food production. Regulation 2023/5 allows the incorporation of partially defatted cricket powder, while regulation 2023/58 approves the use of lesser mealworm larvae in various forms: frozen, pasteurized, dried, and powdered.
Which famous companies use insects in their products
The use of insects in the food industry is not an innovation. The most characteristic example is the coloring agent E120, known as “carmine red,” which comes from fertilized and dried female scarlet scale insects. This natural dye is widely used in lipsticks, vegetarian meat substitutes, soft drinks, candies, and confections. According to the product checking platform “Codecheck,” well-known companies that have started using carmine E120 in their products include:
Trolli’s: Gummy candies with natural insect-derived coloring
- M&M’s “Crisp”: Popular chocolate candies
- Ehrmann: Yogurts with strawberry, blueberry, cranberry, and raspberry flavors
- Mentos: “Full Fruit” chewing gums
- Kinder: “Mini Bar” and “Penguin” chocolates
- Chupa Chups: Various flavored lollipops
Shellac: Another ingredient from insects
Besides carmine, “shellac” or E904 is an equally widespread ingredient derived from insects. It’s a resinous secretion used as a glossy coating on chocolates, candies, nuts, coffee beans, and dietary supplements. Major companies using shellac in their products include Ferrero with “Kinder Schoko Bons,” Milka with “Colorful cocoa lenses,” and Mentos with “Pure White” gums. Shellac provides the characteristic shine and protective coating we see on many sweets.
The controversy around insects in vegan products
Particularly controversial is the use of E120 coloring in products marketed as vegan or vegetarian. Many companies use carmine to color meat substitutes, which provokes strong criticism from vegans and vegetarians. Their argument is that these products can no longer be considered purely plant-based when they contain ingredients of animal origin like carmine and shellac.
Are insects in food safe for consumption
The consumption of products containing insects is generally considered safe in Europe thanks to strict food controls. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) evaluates and approves all edible insects before their use is permitted. Insects used by companies are specially bred for food under strictly controlled conditions. For example, crickets are not fed for 24 hours before processing so their digestive system is clean.
Caution for people with allergies
Although insect products are safe for the general population, people with specific allergies must be careful. Those allergic to crustaceans and mollusks like shrimp, mussels, or snails, as well as mites, may experience cross-reactive allergic reactions. According to consumer advisory centers, companies using insects in their products are required to indicate possible cross-reactions on labels, thus protecting sensitive consumers. This transparency allows buyers to make informed choices about the products they consume.
