News story by Aryaa Sinha
New Delhi, 16 Nov: The European Commission has included locust in the list of approved food. Migratory Locust or Locusta migratoria is the most widespread locust species. It occurs throughout Africa, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.
According to a report by European Food Safety Authority, adult locusts of insect species can be used for food without any safety concern as high protein is found in them. However, people allergic to crustaceans, mites, and molluscs should not consume it.
In June this year, the European Union (EU) after getting an approval from Novel Food Regulation, had approved the consumption of dried yellow mealworm larva of the beetle as being safe for human consumption.
The Novel Food Regulation helps food businesses bring innovative foods to the EU market, while guaranteeing their safety. It concerns any food which was not consumed in the EU to a significant degree before 15th May 1997.
