Applications for novel food authorisation have been submitted for these insect species before 1.1.2019.
In the transitional period, i.e. from 1 January 2019, all insect species that have been legally on the market in Finland or another EU country before 1 January 2018 and for which a novel food application has been submitted by 1 January 2019 may be on the market in Finland as food. All operators may sell and market these species of insects and products produced from novel food applications as food until applications for novel food have been processed.
Such species include:
- Acheta domesticus (house cricket)
- Apis mellifera (European honey bee, male pupae)
- Locusta migratoria (migratory locust)
- Tenebrio molitor (mealworm)
A novel food application for these species of insects or products thereof has been submitted to the Commission by 1 January 2019 under the novel food regulation.
In accordance with the recent EU Court of Justice decision, the transitional period should be observed throughout the EU unless prevented by national legislation in the Member States.
The transitional period has expired for the following insect species:
| Insect species | Decision | More information |
| Schistocerca gregaria (desert locust) | Not authorised. | The processing of the application was terminated due to incomplete information. |
| Gryllodes sigillatus (tropical house cricket) | Not authorised. | The processing of the application was terminated due to incomplete information/ the application was withdrawn from processing by the applicant. |
| Alphitobius diaperinus (lesser mealworm), larva | Authorised. | Novel food is authorised only for Ynsect NL B.V. (data protection granted until 26 January 2028), unless the subsequent applicant obtains authorisation for that novel food without reference to proprietary scientific data protected in accordance with Article 26 of Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 or with the agreement of Ynsect NL B.V. |
|
Hermetia illucens (black soldier fly, larva) |
Not authorised. | The application was withdrawn from process by the applicant. |