Insects in food: what’s allowed and how to spot them

Which insects are approved in the EU?

In the EU, insects count as “novel foods” and need their own strict approval. Four species are currently authorised:

• Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor): the larva of the yellow mealworm, dried and as powder. Since February 2025 also a UV-treated powder with more vitamin D, for bread and rolls, cakes, pasta and cheese products, among others.
• House cricket (Acheta domesticus): frozen, dried, as powder and partially defatted powder.
• Migratory locust (Locusta migratoria): frozen, dried and as powder.
• Buffalo worm (Alphitobius diaperinus): the larva of the lesser mealworm beetle, frozen, as paste, dried and as powder.

Important: these ingredients may not be added secretly. The ingredient list must state the species with its scientific and common name, for example “Acheta domesticus (house cricket)”.

Hidden insects: the E numbers

Regardless of the new insect products, insects have long been in many foods as additives:

• E120 carmine / cochineal: a red colourant from the cochineal scale insect. Found in sweets, drinks, yoghurt or sausages.
• E904 shellac: a glaze from the secretion of the lac insect. Makes sweets and fruit shiny.
• E901 beeswax: glazing and release agent, produced by bees.

Why this can matter

It’s not about scaremongering but about transparency. For some groups the information is even health-relevant:

• Allergies: insect products can cause cross-reactions, especially for people allergic to crustaceans and molluscs (e.g. shrimp) or dust mites. Such products must carry a warning.
• Conscious diet: vegetarians and vegans usually want to avoid insects. Carmine and shellac are also of animal origin.
• Personal or religious reasons: many simply want to decide for themselves what ends up on their plate.

How do I spot insects on the packaging?

In theory it’s all in the ingredient list, in practice it’s easy to miss. Look out for:

• the scientific and common species names (e.g. Tenebrio molitor, house cricket)
• the E numbers E120, E904 and E901
• notes like “may contain traces of …”

The problem: the names are often in small print, in Latin and buried in a long list of ingredients.

The solution: Insect Scanner

That’s exactly what Insect Scanner is for. Instead of deciphering the fine print, you check a product in seconds:

• Scan the barcode: the product is instantly checked against a database of millions of foods.
• No barcode? Photograph the label: the AI reads the ingredient list and checks it directly.
• Clear traffic-light result: green means no insects, red means contains insects, yellow stands for substances you flagged.
• Your own watchlist: additionally monitor your own ingredients or E numbers.

Note: This article is for information only and is not legal or nutritional advice. Approvals can change (as of June 2026).