Novel insect-based child nutrition: the position of the nutritional committee of the Italian society of pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition (SIGENP)

Abstract

Background: The European Union (EU) approved the placement on European market of insect-based novel foods. Those foods were defined safe for the consumption for all European population, including children. Main body: The nutrition committee of the Italian society of Paediatric Hepatology and Nutrition (SIGENP) performed literature research to understand benefits and risk of those use of those NF for Italian children. A special attention was reserved to the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) reports upon which those novel insect-based were approved. Conclusions: Based on the current knowledge, despite a possible ecological advantage, the group of expert suggests additional researches before pronouncing on a possible use for children diet, because of insufficient evidence on nutritional benefits and possible food allergies.