Edible Insects as an Alternative Source of Nutrients: Benefits, Risks, and the Future of Entomophagy in Europe—A Narrative Review
According to projections by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the global population will reach 9 billion by 2050. This raises concerns about the ability to feed such a population. In view of the above, it is necessary to search for alternative food sources. Edible insects...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Foods |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/2/270 |
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| author | Wojciech Michał Jankowski Dominik Przychodniak Weronika Gromek Emilia Majsiak Marcin Kurowski |
| author_facet | Wojciech Michał Jankowski Dominik Przychodniak Weronika Gromek Emilia Majsiak Marcin Kurowski |
| author_sort | Wojciech Michał Jankowski |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | According to projections by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the global population will reach 9 billion by 2050. This raises concerns about the ability to feed such a population. In view of the above, it is necessary to search for alternative food sources. Edible insects are rich in complete protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins and micronutrients. Despite this, entomophagy is not common in Europe. In 2021, the European Union approved <i>Acheta domesticus</i>, <i>Tenebrio molitor</i>, <i>Locusta migratoria</i>, and <i>Alphitobius diaperinus</i> for consumption. However, their consumption may also be associated with certain hazards, e.g., food allergies. The purpose of this review is to present existing knowledge, discuss the possible dangers of consuming insects, and identify areas for further research. Studies in Asian populations indicate that edible insects may be responsible for 4.2–19.4% of food allergies and 18% of fatal food-induced anaphylaxis. There are also increasing reports from Europe of food allergies to edible insects. A thorough understanding of allergens, their properties, and the mechanisms of food allergies associated with edible insects’ consumption is essential for ensuring consumers’ safety. In the future, it would be worthwhile to investigate the effects of heat treatment on the allergenicity of insect proteins. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a74a76ab9e4247c69febb5694678de31 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2304-8158 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Foods |
| spelling | doaj-art-a74a76ab9e4247c69febb5694678de312025-01-24T13:33:05ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582025-01-0114227010.3390/foods14020270Edible Insects as an Alternative Source of Nutrients: Benefits, Risks, and the Future of Entomophagy in Europe—A Narrative ReviewWojciech Michał Jankowski0Dominik Przychodniak1Weronika Gromek2Emilia Majsiak3Marcin Kurowski4Department of Immunology and Allergy, Medical University of Lodz, 90-419 Lodz, PolandDepartment of Immunology and Allergy, Medical University of Lodz, 90-419 Lodz, PolandDepartment of Immunology and Allergy, Medical University of Lodz, 90-419 Lodz, PolandDepartment of Health Promotion, Faculty Health of Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, Staszica 4/6, 20-081 Lublin, PolandDepartment of Immunology and Allergy, Medical University of Lodz, 90-419 Lodz, PolandAccording to projections by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the global population will reach 9 billion by 2050. This raises concerns about the ability to feed such a population. In view of the above, it is necessary to search for alternative food sources. Edible insects are rich in complete protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins and micronutrients. Despite this, entomophagy is not common in Europe. In 2021, the European Union approved <i>Acheta domesticus</i>, <i>Tenebrio molitor</i>, <i>Locusta migratoria</i>, and <i>Alphitobius diaperinus</i> for consumption. However, their consumption may also be associated with certain hazards, e.g., food allergies. The purpose of this review is to present existing knowledge, discuss the possible dangers of consuming insects, and identify areas for further research. Studies in Asian populations indicate that edible insects may be responsible for 4.2–19.4% of food allergies and 18% of fatal food-induced anaphylaxis. There are also increasing reports from Europe of food allergies to edible insects. A thorough understanding of allergens, their properties, and the mechanisms of food allergies associated with edible insects’ consumption is essential for ensuring consumers’ safety. In the future, it would be worthwhile to investigate the effects of heat treatment on the allergenicity of insect proteins.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/2/270allergen cross-reactivityedible insectsentomophagyfood allergymolecular allergy diagnosis |
| spellingShingle | Wojciech Michał Jankowski Dominik Przychodniak Weronika Gromek Emilia Majsiak Marcin Kurowski Edible Insects as an Alternative Source of Nutrients: Benefits, Risks, and the Future of Entomophagy in Europe—A Narrative Review Foods allergen cross-reactivity edible insects entomophagy food allergy molecular allergy diagnosis |
| title | Edible Insects as an Alternative Source of Nutrients: Benefits, Risks, and the Future of Entomophagy in Europe—A Narrative Review |
| title_full | Edible Insects as an Alternative Source of Nutrients: Benefits, Risks, and the Future of Entomophagy in Europe—A Narrative Review |
| title_fullStr | Edible Insects as an Alternative Source of Nutrients: Benefits, Risks, and the Future of Entomophagy in Europe—A Narrative Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Edible Insects as an Alternative Source of Nutrients: Benefits, Risks, and the Future of Entomophagy in Europe—A Narrative Review |
| title_short | Edible Insects as an Alternative Source of Nutrients: Benefits, Risks, and the Future of Entomophagy in Europe—A Narrative Review |
| title_sort | edible insects as an alternative source of nutrients benefits risks and the future of entomophagy in europe a narrative review |
| topic | allergen cross-reactivity edible insects entomophagy food allergy molecular allergy diagnosis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/2/270 |
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