Spain's perspective on insect meal in food: Characterised by contrasts

Long live Spain!

Spain has a divided stance on insect meal. The industry, led by companies such as Tebrio-Farm, Supports insect meal as a sustainable source of protein, while scientific concerns about parasites and allergies, as well as cultural reservations, limit consumer acceptance. Younger generations are more open, but older generations are sceptical. The public debate is complicated by negative information, despite EU labelling regulations.

Spain is positioning itself as a pioneer in the production of insect meal in Europe

The world's largest insect farm is being built in Salamanca, operated by the biotech company mentioned above. Tebrio, which is expected to produce 100,000 tonnes of products from mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) annually. The company advertises on its website: ‘Tebrio is the world's leading company in the production and processing of the insect Tenebrio molitor.’ [1]. The aim is to produce insect meal for both food and animal feed, in line with the EU agenda for sustainable protein sources [2]. Tebrio is also planning the first cricket meal factory in Spain to establish insect meal in supermarkets for products such as bread, pasta and snacks [3]. This indicates strong industrial interest in insect meal. The newspaper El Confidencial also emphasises that production in Salamanca utilises all stages of mealworm development (egg, larva, pupa, beetle) [4].

Parliamentary question on scientific concerns regarding parasite infestation

Spanish researchers have identified potential health risks associated with insect meal

investigated [5]. In addition, a study cited in a parliamentary inquiry shows that the consumption of insects is associated with risks from parasitic diseases that can be dangerous to both humans and animals. The study examined samples from 300 insect farms in Central Europe, including mealworms, crickets, Madagascar Squirting cockroach and migratory locust farms. The results were alarming: 81.3% of the farms (244 out of 300) were infested with parasites. In 68.7% of cases, the infestation only affected the insects, in 35.3% of cases the parasites were potentially dangerous to animals, and in 30.3% of cases they were also dangerous to humans. According to the inquiry, such a parasite infestation could entail risks such as growth retardation, hypofertility, oedema, jaundice, liver cancer or allergic reactions. According to experts, people with allergies to shellfish or house dust mites are particularly at risk. [6].

The response of MP Olivér Várhelyi to this parliamentary question essentially reads (quote): "[...]. In 2015, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published a scientific opinion with a risk profile regarding the production and consumption of insects as food and feed, concluding that: <QT.START>"</QT. START>Despite the documented occurrence of parasites in insects and the link between sporadic parasitic diseases in humans and insect consumption (in certain third countries), in a properly managed closed farm environment, all the hosts necessary for the completion of parasite life cycles would be absent, and appropriate treatment prior to consumption, using freezing and boiling, can eliminate risks [...] "[7].

Cultural aspects: Younger consumers are open to insect flour

Spain has a strong culinary tradition with a focus on regional products such as Jamón Ibérico or seafood, which could make it difficult to accept insect flour as a ‘foreign’ ingredient. A survey by Heristo AG cited by el Mundo suggests that older consumers in Europe, including Spain, are sceptical about insect meal, while 35% of men would be willing to consume such products if they are tasty. Younger generations (14–29 years old) are more open-minded as they prioritise sustainability, suggesting that acceptance in Spain varies depending on age. [8]

The public debate is characterised by contrasts

The debate on insect meal in Spain is characterised by mixed reactions. Some media outlets and social platforms are spreading concerns that insect meal could be mixed into consumers' food without their knowledge. However, EU Regulation (EU) 2025/89 requires clear labelling, e.g. degreased powder from Acheta domesticus (house cricket) must be listed on the packaging to ensure transparency [9].

Spain follows the EU's lead and imposes no restrictions

The authorities in Spain comply with the EU Novel Food Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2015/2283), which requires safety assessments by the EFSA. The latest approval concerns UV-treated mealworm powder (from February 2025) by the French company Nutri’Earth with maximum amounts of 1–4 g per 100 g of food – see also the blog here. Unlike Italy, which prohibits insect flour in traditional foods such as pizza and pasta, there are no specific national restrictions in Spain.

If you don't want to overlook insect ingredients in food, do what many other satisfied users do and check your food purchases with the app. www.insectinspect.app on insect meal, insect fat and other ingredients.

The app can read the EAN code and the list of ingredients, thus offering the highesthttps://www.insectinspect.app/download hit rates

Use your smartphone's scanner to read the EAN code and reliably display unwanted insect ingredients. And of course, the app also works to check dog and cat food for unwanted insect additives such as house crickets, mealworms, grasshoppers and buffalo worms.

Unlike comparable apps, the app can also read the list of ingredients and is therefore independent of the functionality of the EAN code. This is important because many EAN codes are not stored in official databases such as Open Food Fact. Comparable apps come up empty here and often display a question mark because they cannot read the ingredients.InsectInspect.app does not let you down here, which is particularly important for regionally sourced food, as this is not usually stored in official databases. The app is available as both as iOS, as well as for Androids available. On this Website available.

Sources:

[1] Tebrio https://tebrio.com/en/ abgerufen am 04.08.2025.

[2] La Gaceta, 18. April 2025: La mayor granja de insectos del mundo llega a Salamanca con la harina de gusano como «producto estrella» para cumplir la Agenda 2030. Abgerufen von https://gaceta.es/espana/la-mayor-granja-de-insectos-del-mundo-llega-a-salamanca-con-la-harina-de-gusano-como-producto-estrella-para-cumplir-la-agenda-2030-20250401-1207/, am 04.08.2025.

[3] Ebenda.

[4] El Confidencial, 2025. Abgerufen von https://elconfidencial.com. am 04.08.2025.

[5] Calleja, C.A., Machado, C. G. , De Juan, D.J., González, R. C. (30.01.2023): Investigadores de la ULE alertan de los riesgos para la salud del consumo de insectos,. Studie der Universität León (ULe). Veröffentlicht in https://www.agrodiario.com und in The Conversation (Mai 2022): Riesgos del consumo de insectos como alimento“.

[6] Gałęcki, R. & Sokół, R. (08.07.2019): A parasitological evaluation of edible insects – PMC, NIH. In: National Library of Medicin.. Abgerufen von https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6613697/ am 04.08.2025. Zitiert in: Europäisches Parlament (05.02.2025): Risiken von Insekten in Lebensmitteln. Parlamentarische Anfrage - E-000538/2025. Abgerufen von https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-10-2025-000538_DE.html am 04.08.2025.

[7] Olivér Várhelyi (12.05.2025): Antwort von Olivér Várhelyi im Namen der Europäischen Kommission. Abgerufen von https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-10-2025-000538-ASW_DE.html am 04.08.2025.

[8] Sekundärzitat in El Mundo 20.03.2022): Los insectos como alimento: ¿aceptación o rechazo en España?. Abgerufen von https://www.elmundo.es. Original für Deutschland: Heristo AG (10.11.2024): Generationenfrage Food. Abgerufen von https://www.heristo.de/de/newsroom/generationenbarometer-food-so-essen-jung-und-alt-in-deutschland am 04.08.2025.

[9] El Confidencial, 2025. Abgerufen von https://elconfidencial.com am 04.08.2025.

Image credits

Spanische Flagge: Lizenzfrei von pixabay_M W_Efraimstochter