Representatives of the Slovak baking industry have rejected the use of EU-approved insect ingredients in their products

The Slovak Association of Bakers, Confectioners and Pastry Producers (SZPCC), a professional organization representing the vast majority of the country’s baking industry and employing more than 12,000 employees, issued a joint statement at its March general meeting that is binding on its members against the use of insect-based ingredients.

The industry organization’s move was mainly in response to the fact that the European Commission, with its decision that came into effect last month, further expanded the range of insect-based ingredients that it classified as suitable for human consumption. The decision adopted in January specifically allowed the use of mealworm powder treated with ultraviolet radiation in the food industry.

In its decision, which was unanimously approved, the SZPCC states that Slovak industry players will not use such ingredients in their products under any circumstances, even if international retail chains, which play a majority role in the distribution of bakery products in Slovakia, specifically request this from them.

“If someone wants to eat ground worms, they should reach for Western European products that are already present on store shelves, which are imported in large quantities by retail chains. The customer will definitely not find such ingredients in Slovak products,”

– emphasized the chairman of the board of the Slovak bakery association, Milan Lapsansky, in connection with their decision, as quoted by ma7.sk.