As of February 10, 2025, the European Commission has authorized the use of mealworm powder in food production, such as for making bread, pastries, pasta, cheese, and other products. On the same day, the ZhS Premium Telegram channel published a post about how Europeans are unhappy with the mandatory inclusion of insects in recipes and are now checking products for insect-derived ingredients:
"Starting February 10 of this year, protein additives made from ground insects are set to enter the European diet on a voluntary-compulsory basis. [...]
However, ordinary citizens are not willing to accept this change to their diet. Videos have surfaced online showing German shoppers using a special app to scan products on store shelves. It shows which products have been sneakily mixed with insects by crafty manufacturers."
The post included a video demonstrating how shoppers use a smartphone app to determine if a product contains insect traces.
In reality, only one company has received permission to add this specific protein component to its products. Products containing this ingredient are advised to include a warning about potential allergic reactions.
An app for scanning products for insect-based additives does indeed exist. However, it is old news, as is the video shown on the Telegram channel. The original video was published a year and a half ago, in September 2023. It shows that the app detected food additives E120 or E904 in the ingredients of yogurt, cookies, and other products.
The former, E120, is a natural red dye known as carmine. It is most commonly used in the production of sausage and meat products, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, ketchup, sauces, and dairy products. The latter, E904, is a natural resin known as shellac. It can be found in confectionery products. Shellac is also used to coat fresh fruits to help retain moisture.
Both additives are made from insects. And both are permitted and used in Belarus. Carmine can be found in Savushkin Produkt and Bellakt yogurts, Kommunarka candy, and Krasny Pischevik marmalade. E904 is found in the white chocolate-covered hazelnut candy produced by the company Karavan XXI Vek.
