Food Safety Issues Related to Uses of Insects for Feeds and Foods
Corresponding Author
H. J. van der Fels-Klerx
Dept. of Toxicology and Novel Foods, RIKILT Wageningen Research, Akkermaalsbos 2, NL-6708 WB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
Direct inquiries to author van der Fels-Klerx (E-mail: [email protected]).Search for more papers by this authorL. Camenzuli
Dept. of Toxicology and Novel Foods, RIKILT Wageningen Research, Akkermaalsbos 2, NL-6708 WB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
ExxonMobile Petroleum & Chemical, Hermeslaan 2, 1831 Machelen, Belgium
Search for more papers by this authorS. Belluco
Food Safety Dept., Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Via dell'Università, 10 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy
Search for more papers by this authorN. Meijer
Dept. of Toxicology and Novel Foods, RIKILT Wageningen Research, Akkermaalsbos 2, NL-6708 WB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
Search for more papers by this authorA. Ricci
Food Safety Dept., Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Via dell'Università, 10 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
H. J. van der Fels-Klerx
Dept. of Toxicology and Novel Foods, RIKILT Wageningen Research, Akkermaalsbos 2, NL-6708 WB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
Direct inquiries to author van der Fels-Klerx (E-mail: [email protected]).Search for more papers by this authorL. Camenzuli
Dept. of Toxicology and Novel Foods, RIKILT Wageningen Research, Akkermaalsbos 2, NL-6708 WB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
ExxonMobile Petroleum & Chemical, Hermeslaan 2, 1831 Machelen, Belgium
Search for more papers by this authorS. Belluco
Food Safety Dept., Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Via dell'Università, 10 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy
Search for more papers by this authorN. Meijer
Dept. of Toxicology and Novel Foods, RIKILT Wageningen Research, Akkermaalsbos 2, NL-6708 WB, Wageningen, The Netherlands
Search for more papers by this authorA. Ricci
Food Safety Dept., Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie, Via dell'Università, 10 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Edible insects are expected to become an important nutrient source for animals and humans in the Western world in the near future. However, before insects can be put on the market, the safety of their use for feed and food is warranted. This literature study was prepared to provide an overview of the actual knowledge of possible food safety hazards, including chemical, microbiological, and allergenic agents and prions, to human and animal health upon the use of insects for food and feed, and to highlight data gaps and suggest the way forward. From the data available, heavy metals of concern are cadmium in black soldier fly and arsenic in yellow mealworm larvae. Investigated mycotoxins do not seem to accumulate. Residues of pesticides, veterinary drugs, and hormones, as well as dioxins and PCBs, are sometimes found in insects. Contamination of insects with pathogens to human health is a consequence of a combination of the substrates used and the farming and processing steps applied. Insects harbor a wide variety of microorganisms, and some human pathogenic bacteria may be present. In addition, insects may harbor and transmit parasites. There is no evidence so far insects may harbor pathogenic viruses or prions, but they may act as vectors. Insects and insect-derived products may have allergenic potential. In this review, evidence on some safety aspects is displayed, and data gaps are identified. Recommendations are given for future research to fill the most relevant data gaps.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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