Insect powder officially enters European tables.. and the decision sparks controversy.

The European Union has officially approved the use of ultraviolet-treated flour beetle powder in the food industries, starting from next Monday. This decision was made despite the rarity of insect consumption in European food culture.

The approval for using flour beetle powder aims to increase the vitamin D content in food products, according to the Associated Press. It is worth noting that flour beetles were previously approved as food, but the new decision allows for their treatment with ultraviolet rays.

According to the new regulations, a French company will be the only one allowed to market this product in the initial stage, and it must clearly mention the presence of insects on food packaging.

The European Commission has confirmed that consuming insects will remain a personal choice and not mandatory, emphasizing the necessity of obtaining prior approval before using insects in food.

It is worth mentioning that the European Union has allowed the inclusion of insects in the composition of food products for years, but subject to compliance with applicable regulations and licenses.