In addition to Hungarians, Slovak millers also reject insects in food

Members of the Milling Industry Association have officially confirmed that they do not mix insect-based ingredients into their products, thus supporting the previous position of the Slovak Association of Bakers, Confectioners and Pastry Producers. The bakers’ association, which has 520 members and plays a decisive role in the country’s bread supply, already expressed its opposition to the use of mealworms and other insects in March.

Milan Lapšanský, Secretary General of the Milling Industry Association, highlighted that Slovakia has a tradition of growing and processing wheat and other cereals for thousands of years. He said that the local food culture did not rely on insect-based food sources, unlike in the Southeast Asian region. According to Lapšanský, there is no reason for the appearance of worm larvae, grasshoppers or crickets in Slovak flours.

However, the European Union has also allowed the use of several insect species, including the flour beetle, the litter beetle, the short-winged cricket, the house cricket and the migratory locust, in the food industry, with certain concentration limits: for example, the addition of insect powder in flours is allowed in an amount of up to 20 percent.

The Secretary General emphasized that Slovak flour is a symbol of hospitality and tradition, and added that the aim of the alliance is to protect high-quality flour made from pure grain. He also expressed concern about the long-term effects of human consumption of insects, pointing out that the European Union does not need protein supplements and that sustainable solutions are available through the development of the agricultural sector.