Safety of frozen and dried forms of whole yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor larva) as a novel food pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Nutrition,Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) was asked to deliver an opinion on the safetyof frozen, dried and powder forms of whole yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor larva)as a novel food (NF) pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/2283. The term yellow meal-worm refers to the larval form of the insect species T. molitor. The NF consists of thefrozen and dried forms of the whole yellow mealworm. The frozen form mainly con-sists of water, crude protein, carbohydrates and fat, whereas the dried forms consistof crude protein, fat and carbohydrates. The Panel notes that the levels of contami-nants in the NF highly depend on the occurrence levels of these substances in theinsect feed. The Panel notes that there are no safety concerns regarding the stabilityof the NF if the NF complies with the proposed specification limits during its entireshelf life. The NF has a protein content that ranges between 13 and 48 g/100 g. ThePanel acknowledges that the true protein content is overestimated when using thenitrogen-to-protein conversion factor of 6.25 due to the presence of non-protein ni-trogen from chitin. The applicant proposed to use the NF as food ingredient in vari-ous food products. The target population proposed by the applicant is the generalpopulation. Considering the composition of the NF and the proposed conditionsof use, the consumption of the NF is not nutritionally disadvantageous. The Panelnotes that no safety concerns arise from the toxicological information of the NF. ThePanel considers that the consumption of the NF might trigger primary sensitisationto yellow mealworm proteins and may cause allergic reactions in subjects allergic tocrustaceans, dust mites and molluscs. Additionally, allergens from the feed may endup in the NF. The Panel notes that allergic reactions may occur upon consumption.The Panel concludes that the NF is safe under the proposed uses and use levels.