Meal worms, the larvae of the mealworm beetle, are a serious candidate for use as an alternative sustainable source of protein to chicken, beef and pork. TNO and UMC Utrecht have therefore started a follow-up study in cooperation with the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA). The results of this study are intended to support and inform the respective parties. First and foremost the allergic consumers but also the producers that make meal worms suitable for human consumption and the authorities who are charged with legislation.
For every food safety is vital, and one of the key aspects of protein safety is the risk of the development of allergy. Food allergies specifically have a significant impact on the quality of life of allergic patients and their daily functioning, and they may even be life-threatening. While the consumption of insects in Western society is still relatively uncommon, insects do offer many advantages as an alternative and sustainable source of protein. The United Nations see insects as a partial solution to the global problem of undernourishment.
In the TNO and UMC Utrecht study, people with a shellfish and/or house dust mite allergy or people with an occupational meal worm allergy eat a meal worm product. Then the researchers observe whether an allergic reaction occurs and whether meal worm allergic people will become allergic to shellfish or house dust mites.
The results of this study on the risks of allergic reactions to meal worm will signify an important step to substantiating the safety of insects as a future source of protein in our food.
The results are expected in mid-2014.
