(1)

Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 provides that only novel foods authorised and included in the Union list of novel foods may be placed on the market within the Union.

(2)

Pursuant to Article 8 of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283, Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470 (2) has established a Union list of novel foods.

(3)

On 7 January 2018, the company Ynsect NL B.V. (formerly known as Proti-Farm Holding NV) (‘the applicant’) submitted an application to the Commission in accordance with Article 10(1) of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 to place frozen, paste, dried and powder forms of Alphitobius diaperinus larvae (lesser mealworm) on the Union market as a novel food. The applicant requested for Alphitobius diaperinus larvae in frozen, paste (ground), dried, and powder (ground) forms to be used as a food ingredient in a number of food products for the general population, and in powder form in food supplements as defined in Directive 2002/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (3) for the adult population.

(4)

The applicant also made a request to the Commission for the protection of proprietary scientific data for a number of studies submitted in support of the application, namely analytical data on the composition of the novel food (4), the stability studies on the novel food (5), an in vitro protein digestibility study (6), and a sub-chronic 90-day toxicity study (7).

(5)

On 17 July 2018, the Commission requested the European Food Safety Authority (‘the Authority’) to carry out an assessment of frozen and freeze-dried forms of the Alphitobius diaperinus larvae as a novel food.

(6)

On 26 April 2022, the Authority adopted its scientific opinion on the ‘Safety of frozen and freeze-dried formulations of the lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus larvae) as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283’ (8) in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283.

(7)

In its scientific opinion, the Authority concluded that the frozen, paste, dried and powder forms of Alphitobius diaperinus larvae are safe under the proposed conditions of use at the proposed use levels. Therefore, the opinion of the Authority gives sufficient grounds to establish that frozen, paste, dried and powder forms of Alphitobius diaperinus larvae under the assessed conditions of use fulfil the conditions for their placing on the market in accordance with Article 12(1) of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283.

(8)

In that scientific opinion, the Authority also concluded, based on limited published evidence on food allergy related to insects, that the consumption of the novel food may induce primary sensitisation and allergic reactions to lesser mealworm proteins. The Authority recommended carrying out further research on the allergenicity of Alphitobius diaperinus larvae.

(9)

In order to address the Authority’s recommendation, the Commission is currently exploring the ways to carry out the necessary research on the allergenicity of Alphitobius diaperinus larvae. Until the data generated by the research is assessed by the Authority, and considering that, to date, evidence directly linking the consumption of Alphitobius diaperinus larvae to cases of primary sensitisation and allergies is inconclusive, the Commission considers that no specific labelling requirements concerning the potential of Alphitobius diaperinus larvae to cause primary sensitization should be included in the Union list of authorised novel foods.

(10)

In its scientific opinion, the Authority also considered that the consumption of Alphitobius diaperinus larvae may cause allergic reactions in persons that are allergic to crustaceans and dust mites. Furthermore, the Authority noted that additional allergens may end up in the novel food, if these allergens are present in the substrate fed to insects. Therefore, it is appropriate that frozen, paste, dried and powder forms of Alphitobius diaperinus larvae as such and foods containing them are appropriately labelled in accordance with Article 9 of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283.

(11)

Food supplements containing the powder form of Alphitobius diaperinus larvae should not be consumed by persons under 18 years of age and therefore, a labelling requirement should be provided in order to properly inform the consumers about that.

(12)

In its scientific opinion, the Authority noted that its conclusion on the safety of the novel food was based on the analytical data on the composition of the novel food, the stability studies on the novel food, the in vitro protein digestibility study, and the sub-chronic 90-day toxicity study submitted by the applicant, without which it could not have assessed the novel food and reached its conclusion.

(13)

The Commission requested the applicant to further clarify the justification provided with regard to their proprietary claim over those studies and to clarify their claim to an exclusive right of reference to them in accordance with Article 26(2)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283.

(14)

The applicant declared that they held proprietary and exclusive right of reference to the scientific data from those studies at the time they submitted the application.

(15)

The Commission assessed all the information provided by the applicant and considered that they have sufficiently substantiated the fulfilment of the requirements laid down in Article 26(2) of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. Therefore, the scientific data on the composition of the novel food, the stability studies on the novel food, the in vitro protein digestibility study, and the sub-chronic 90-day toxicity study should be protected in accordance with Article 27(1) of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. Accordingly, only the applicant should be authorised to place frozen, paste, dried and powder forms of Alphitobius diaperinus larvae on the market within the Union during a period of 5 years from the entry into force of this Regulation.

(16)

However, restricting the authorisation of frozen, paste, dried and powder forms of Alphitobius diaperinus larvae and the reference to the scientific data contained in the applicant’s file to the sole use by them does not prevent subsequent applicants from applying for an authorisation to place on the market the same novel food, provided that their application is based on legally obtained information supporting such authorisation.

(17)

It is appropriate that the inclusion of frozen, paste, dried and powder forms of Alphitobius diaperinus larvae as a novel food in the Union list of novel foods contains the information referred to in Article 9(3) of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283.

(18)

Frozen, paste, dried and powder forms of Alphitobius diaperinus larvae should be included in the Union list of novel foods set out in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470. The Annex to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(19)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,