CuratedFit
Insect Ingredients in Supplements and Nutrition Products
What You Need to Know
Insect-derived ingredients are an expanding EU novel food category. Here is what has been approved, where these ingredients appear, and how to review labels before you buy.
If you pay close attention to what goes into your food and supplements, you may have noticed that insect-derived ingredients have become an expanding regulatory category in the European Union. Since 2021 the European Commission has been progressively authorizing several insect species for use in food products, including protein-focused food products and health-oriented nutrition products.
This page covers what has been authorized, where these ingredients are likely to appear, how to identify them on a label, and how CuratedFit approaches this category in its product screening process.
What the EU has authorized
Under the EU Novel Food Regulation, the European Commission has granted authorization for several insect species to be used as food ingredients. The following have received authorization through this process:
Yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) Status: Authorized since 2021, with further authorization for UV-treated powder published in January 2025. Typically used in: Protein-focused products, pasta, bread, baked good, dairy-based product.
House cricket (Acheta domesticus) Status: Authorized in several forms since 2022, with additional authorization in 2023. Typically used in: Protein based foods, cereal products, snack bars, nutrition products.
Migratory locust (Locusta migratoria) Status: Authorized, 2021. Typically used in: Cereal products, snacks, protein-oriented food products.
Lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus) Status: Authorized, 2023. Typically used in: Processed food products, protein-oriented nutrition products.
Additional approvals remain under review by the European Food Safety Authority. The current regulatory framework makes provision for further species and applications to be considered on an ongoing basis.
These are confirmed regulatory authorizations from the European Commission. The ingredients are legal, assessed safe by EFSA, and available for food manufacturers to use within the terms of each authorization.
Where they are likely to appear
Insect-derived ingredients are most likely to appear in products that are already protein-focused or grain-based. The categories most worth reviewing are:
Protein powders and protein blends, particularly those marketed as sustainable, plant-based, or alternative protein sources.
Protein bars and snack bars, where insect flour may be used alongside oats, nuts, or other base ingredients.
Meal replacement products, which often draw on multiple protein sources.
Cereals and grain-based nutrition products, where insect flour may replace a portion of the conventional flour.
Products marketed specifically as insect-protein, these are labelled clearly and present no ambiguity for the customer.
Consumers who wish to avoid insect-derived ingredients may still wish to review labels carefully. particularly on products that combine multiple protein sources or are positioned around sustainability credentials.
How to identify insect ingredients on a label
EU regulations require that insect-derived ingredients are declared on product labels. However, some insect-derived ingredients may appear under technical ingredient names. Latin species names, or E-number designations that are unfamiliar to the average shopper. The ingredients are legally declared under EU regulations, but many consumers may not immediately recognize what those terms represent without specifically knowing what to look for:
E120, Carmine / Cochineal / Carminic acid, red colorant derived from the cochineal insect. Found in some sports drinks, confectionary, and supplement capsules.
E904, Shellac, a resin secreted by the lac bug, used as glazing agent on tablet and capsule coatings
Tenebrio molitor, Yellow mealworm, larval powder or flour form.
Acheta domesticus, House cricket, powder or flour form.
Locusta migratoria, Migratory locust, powder or flour form.
Alphitobius diaperinus, Lesser mealworm, powder or flour form.
Insect protein, generic term, check the full ingredient list for the species name.
Cricket flour / Cricket powder, derived from house cricket.
Mealworm flour / mealworm powder, derived from yellow mealworm
Labels are also required to carry allergen information for insect-derived ingredients, as they may trigger reactions in individuals with crustacean, mollusk, or dust-mite allergies or sensitivities. Look for wording such as 'contains insects' or a relevant allergen declaration in the allergen section of the label.
Every product listed on CuratedFit is screened against current published ingredient information before recommendation. Products containing insect-derived ingredients are not listed here.
How to review a product before you buy
Checking for insect-derived ingredients is straightforward once you know what to look for. Here is a simple process to apply to any supplement or nutrition product:
-
Go to the full ingredient list, not the front of the pack or the headline claims. The complete list, usually printed on the back or side of the packaging.
-
Scan for any of the Latin species names or E-numbers listed above. These are required by law to appear if the ingredient is present.
-
Check the allergen statement for any reference to insects or crustaceans in the context of insect-derived content.
-
If purchasing online, review the brand's full ingredient list on their website before completing a purchase. Most reputable brands publish this clearly.
-
If the ingredient list is unclear or incomplete, contact the brand directly. A straightforward question about insect-derived content should receive a straightforward answer.
This process takes approximately thirty seconds per product once the relevant terms are familiar. It is the same process CuratedFit applies when screening products against our published standard.
Consumers should also be aware that manufacturers may change formulations, suppliers, or ingredient sourcing over time. Products previously reviewed may therefore still warrant periodic re-checking.
CuratedFit's approach is based on ingredient awareness and published ingredient information, allowing consumers to make informed purchasing decisions based on their own preference and standards.
The CuratedFit position
CuratedFit does not list products that contain insect-derived ingredients based on current published ingredient information. This reflects a straightforward aspect of our standard, one that a portion of our audience considers relevant to their purchasing decisions.
For people who pay close attention to what goes into their supplements, knowing whether a product contains insect-derived components is part of making an informed choice. CuratedFit exists to support that process, by doing the label review so our audience does not have to.
Every product currently listed on CuratedFit has been screened against this criterion using published ingredient information. If that information changes, our assessment is updated accordingly.
PRODUCTS ON CURATEDFIT
All products currently listed on CuratedFIT have been screened against our standard, including this criterion. Browse our recommendations below.