Is the EU killing the mediterranean diet?

(by Rabil Islamovski, student in the master programme European Law – Utrecht University, 3 March 2025) 

The world is changing, and food is changing too.
However, this does not seem to apply to everyone. An example? Italy.

First, it was the turn of insects (locusts, worms, crickets), now lab-grown meat is igniting the spirits of Italy’s most food-patriotic citizens.

Like me, anyone from Italy knows you must never touch Italian food. It’s a religion observed orthodoxly because the table is sacred to every Italian.

However, the recent innovations in the food area sparked discussions, specifically on the safety and transparency of these new foods, which are facing a strong opposition from several Member States’ governments.

FOR THOSE WHO DON’T HAVE TIME

  • The EU does not want to force-feed us insects or lab-grown meat without our knowledge. Food in the EU is subject to strict labeling requirements, and Novel Foods are no exception.
  • Novel Foods such as insects or lab-grown meat are not dangerous. They must pass strict EFSA food safety requirements before being marketed. The EU’s food safety standards are highly praised and applied worldwide.
  • The idea that the EU is trying to kill the Mediterranean diet is misleading. These policies aim to provide a safe and sustainable nutritional alternative, NOT to replace meat.

A WIDESPREAD SKEPTICISM

“The people in Brussels that want insect flour, worms, and crickets are fighting the Mediterranean diet.”

These were the harsh words of Matteo Salvini (former Italian Interior Minister) from the Rummo pasta factory, spoken in a viral TikTok video a year ago.

Salvini’s controversial statements on Novel Foods, a long-standing battle of euroskeptics, were not isolated but supported by other European leaders:

  • Rumen Petkov (former Bulgarian Interior Minister), described the approval of insects as a “crime against Europe” and accused the European Commission of being “prepared to kill our European children”.
  • Laurent Duplomb, (French senator from the conservative party Les Républicains), claimed that the EU wanted to force the French to eat insects without their knowledge.

ITALY’S EXCEPTIONAL CASE

However, Italy stands out in this debate.

According to a YouGov survey, Italy ranks the lowest in Europe in willingness to eat insects (17%) and lab-grown meat (27%). In response, the government, led by Giorgia Meloni, pre-emptively passed a law banning the production and sale of lab-grown meat. Meloni justified this move as necessary to protect Made in Italy and public health from “Brussels”.

Yet, lab-grown meat, labeled as “synthetic meat” by the Italian government, cannot be found in any EU supermarket, as it is still under EFSA’s review.

Consumer willingness to eat insects and lab-grown meat across Europe (YouGov, 2024)

A POLITICALLY DRIVEN NARRATIVE?

Italy’s approach reflects a targeted communication campaign aimed at increasing skepticism about Novel Foods. It has fueled perceptions that insects and lab-grown meat are dangerous, labelling the latter as “synthetic meat”.

However, the concern is not just about food safety. Many also fear that the EU wants to impose these Novel Foods without their knowledge.

"Less Europe, More Italy" – Lega Nord campaign flyer for the 2023 European elections

IS THIS TRUE?

In this blog, we will explore whether the EU is “forcing us” to eat insects and lab-grown meat, what novel foods are and whether they are safe for human consumption. Finally, why is the EU pushing novel foods?

WHAT ARE NOVEL FOODS?

Novel Foods are foods that were not significantly consumed in the EU before May 15, 1997 (including algae, food produced from cell tissue, and some insects).

These foods are regulated under the Novel Food Regulation, which rules on approving a new food within the EU, following a stringent scientific risk assessment conducted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The authority verifies that the food is not a safety risk to human health.

At the core of the Novel Food Regulation is the need to ensure a high level of human health protection and strong consumer interest protection, implemented through proper labeling.

© iStock/636625780

WHY ARE NOVEL FOODS GAINING ATTENTION?

In recent years, the EU has expanded the range of foods covered by the Novel Food Regulation.

Among the new additions, we find:

The highly debated lab-grown meat is not yet available in the EU, as it has not yet received official EFSA approval.

As of today, there is no lab-grown meat production chain in the EU. However, there are important updates. An example is Gourmey, an innovative food startup that has submitted the first-ever dossier to the European Commission, officially requesting the approval of cultivated meat as a new food, in compliance with EFSA food safety standards.

WHY IS THE EU APPROVING THESE FOODS?

According to the FAO (food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), insect consumption is increasingly relevant due to the rising cost of animal protein, food insecurity, environmental pressures, and population growth.

Insects provide a nutritious, healthy and sustainable food alternative to conventional livestock.

Thus, the EU considers this a key area, along with lab-grown meat, representing the new frontier in addressing food security and growing environmental concerns.

© iStock (114413730/ruvanboshoff)

ARE NOVEL FOODS DANGEROUS AND UNHEALTHY?

Novel Foods can only be authorised if they pose no risk to human health.

Before approval, Novel foods undergo a thorough risk assessment by EFSA upon official request from the European Commission or food businesses. The EFSA follows a “precautionary approach” to identify any possible safety concerns before approving new foods.

Insects, for instance, are already consumed by approximately 2 billion people worldwide. Additionally, their scientifically proven benefits include high levels of:

  • Vitamin B12
  • Iron
  • Zinc
  • Fiber
  • Essential amino acids
  • Omega-3
  • Omega-6 fatty acids

These nutritional properties provide a strong reassurance that eating insects is not only safe but also beneficial for health.

Similarly, the consumption of lab-grown meat has been linked with several health benefits, as supported by scientific studies:

  • Reduction in Antibiotic Resistance: Unlike traditional livestock, lab-grown meat does not require antibiotics, lowering the risk of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
  • Minimization of Zoonic Diseases: Since no animals are killed, lab-grown meat eliminates the risk of disease transmission from animals to humans.

IS THE EU FORCING BUGS DOWN OUR THROATS?

No, Novel Foods are simply foods that the EU has approved after a strict EFSA risk assessment, and their consumption is not mandatory in the EU.

In fact, Novel Foods are subject to specific labeling requirements as stated in the Novel Food Regulation. These requirements enhance transparency, in addition to the general labeling regulation, which applies to all marketed food products.

Novel Foods must be clearly labeled. The packaging must explicitly state, next to the list of ingredients, that the ingredient "may cause allergic reactions to consumers with known allergies to crustaceans, mollusks, and dust mites."

Furthermore, the labeling regulation already requires:

  • The explicit indication of the ingredient in the product name.
  • The specific name and percentage of the ingredient to be included in the ingredient list.

These measures ensure maximum transparency for consumers.

CONCLUSION

The idea that the EU is trying to kill the Mediterranean diet is a misconception. Novel Foods are rigorously tested and clearly labeled, ensuring consumers can make informed choices. The EU’s objective is not to replace traditional foods but to offer sustainable alternatives. Ultimately, choosing whether to embrace these new foods remains in the hands of consumers!