And finally… just not cricket

And finally... just not cricket

Italy is to ban flour made from crickets, locusts and insect larvae from being used in pizza and pasta.

Though insect-based foods have been approved by the European Union and are being talked up as a new eco-friendly superfood, the Italian government is concerned about the country’s cuisine being associated with bugs.

According to The Times, Francesco Lollobrigida, a lawyer and Italy’s agriculture minister, told a recent press conference: “It’s fundamental that these flours are not confused with food made in Italy.”

He added: “Whoever wants to eat these products can, but those who don’t, and I imagine that will be most Italians, will be able to choose.”

In addition to banning the use of the insect flours in pizza and pasta products, the new regulations will require them to be segregated in supermarkets and to have large lettering on the packaging of any products that contain them.

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