EU releases larvae and house crickets as food

Starting this Tuesday, house crickets may be used in food. That’s when a new EU law comes into force, according to which the insects, also known as crickets, can be frozen, dried or used as a powder. Two days later, this will also apply to larvae of the grain mold beetle. Similar rules already exist for migratory locusts and larvae of the flour beetle (Tenebrio molitor, yellow mealworm). “Currently, there are eight other applications for the approval of insects as food,” the European Commission says.

According to the EU Commission, manufacturers must apply for approval for each insect they want to place on the market. If insects are used in food, it must be labeled, it said: The list of ingredients must include the species name. “Food safety is a top priority for the commission,” a spokeswoman told Deutsche Presse-Agentur. As for insects, she said, the agency can confirm that they are safe.

The creepy-crawlies are considered nutritious and rich in protein and are part of common cuisine in many countries. They can also contribute to a sustainable diet, as they can be farmed in a relatively resource-efficient manner. However, there may be risks for those allergic to them. Appropriate allergy information is mandatory, emphasizes the EU Commission.

“No one is forced to eat insects,” the Commission said on Twitter. Each and everyone can decide for themselves whether or not to buy food made from or containing insects, it added.  In several EU countries, including Germany and Austria, snacks and pasta with insects have been sold for some time. There are transitional rules for this. The European Court of Justice had ruled that whole insects were not covered by the old rules for novel foods. However, the old rules have since been revised, and since 2018, whole insects have also been considered novel foods and must go through the corresponding approval process.  However, experts strongly advise against going on an insect hunt yourself now. Under no circumstances should the small crawlers be picked from the trees in the wild. The reason: not all of the animals are edible, possibly contaminated with pesticides or infested with parasites. And another little warning is making the rounds. Anyone who is allergic to house mites, for example, should avoid the insect snack to be on the safe side. (Stuttgarter Nachrichten, Jan 24)

The Leibnizstrasse underpass connecting Böblingen and Sindelfingen will be fully closed for seven months

In connection with the widening of the A 81 between the Sindelfingen-Ost and Böblingen-Hulb junctions, the Leibnizstrasse underpass connecting Böblingen and Sindelfingen will be fully closed for seven months starting January 16. For this length of time, it will no longer be possible to reach the industrial park in the eastern part of Sindelfingen directly from Böblingen East. This is where Breuningerland and Möbel Hofmeister are located, among others. The project company responsible for the highway expansion, the southern section of the new underpass will be built during this time. The structure is being built south of the existing underpass and is part of the expansion of the A 81. Following this closure, Leibnizstrasse will be reopened to traffic by the end of the year.  From the beginning of 2024, closures will again follow for the construction of the northern section of the bridge. Detours have been posted for the current construction site. Pedestrians and cyclists use the bridge at the Goldberg S-Bahn stop to cross the A 81. At the same time, Stadtwerke Sindelfingen is carrying out pipeline work in the area of the western Schwertstraße. A ring road will be set up as a detour for this. (Kreiszeitung BB Bote, Jan 12)