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Hungarians would like to lead more environmentally friendly lives, but they do not want to switch to plant-based food.Continue reading
In order to provide accurate information to consumers, the Ministry of Agriculture is amending the food labeling regulation so that products containing insect proteins can be clearly distinguished and separated on the shelves of shops, Agriculture Minister István Nagy announced. He said that traditional diets could be at risk as an increasing number of insect species are being authorized for sale as food in the EU.
In the developed world, an increasing number of people are promoting not only a vegan lifestyle, i.e. not eating animal products, but also eating insects. According to the European Commission’s decision, there are already three species of insects: the house cricket, the migratory locus, and the yellow mealworm, that can be commercially sold as food or food ingredients.
Whether a snack or a food ingredient, did you know there are currently three insects authorised in the EU ‘novel food’?
‘House cricket’, ‘yellow mealworm’ and ‘migratory locus’ are the three types of insects authorised as ‘novel food’ in the EU market. pic.twitter.com/PIvWNVWtBr
— European Commission (@EU_Commission) August 12, 2022
The Hungarian Minister of Agriculture noted that Hungary was the only member state that did not support the EU decision, adding that there is no need to fear either food or protein shortages in the EU.
In any case, Hungarians are not in favor of eating insects. According to a survey by the National Food Chain Safety Office, less than five percent of consumers prefer to eat food made from insects.
The proportion of those who resolutely refuse to eat insects is extremely high, at more than 70 percent.
The minister said that thanks to the diligence of Hungarian farmers, there is a wealth of high-quality raw materials and fresh and healthy food available to Hungarians, so they are not in need of eating insects. “It is important to preserve our gastronomic traditions and not to let them change our eating habits,” István Nagy stressed.
The main reason behind the promotion of eating insects is environmental protection, as supporters believe it is one way of reducing collective ecological footprints. The call to reduce meat consumption is not new, and the main argument for eating insects is that they do not require as many resources to raise them as cattle or pigs, for example, and that they take less time to rear.
A new food trend has already emerged as part of the vegan lifestyle called entoveganism, i.e. insect eating. However, strict vegans will not eat insects, which are also animal-based. According to believers, eating insects is very healthy, however, there is probably still a long way to go to get the majority of ordinary citizens to start eating them.
Featured photo via Pixabay