EU Regulation Amendment on Edible Crickets: What Food Companies Must Review

Key data

If your company produces, processes or markets products containing Acheta domesticus in any of its authorized forms, this rectification directly affects you. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/188 — which opened the door to legal commercialization of domestic crickets as a novel food in the EU — contains errors that are now being officially corrected.

The publication of this rectification on 8 September 2026 requires companies in the sector to compare their internal documents, labels and procedures with the corrected text. Operating with the erroneous version of the regulation may constitute non-compliance during an inspection.

What does this regulation establish?

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/188 authorized in February 2022 the commercialization of domestic cricket (Acheta domesticus) in three forms as a novel food in the European Union, under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283:

• Frozen form
• Dried form
• Powdered form

This rectification corrects errors detected in that original text. Although the publication does not detail each specific error exhaustively, the areas that may be affected by such a correction are:

Additionally, this rectification also modifies Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470, which is the EU list of authorized novel foods. Any company consulting that list must ensure they are using the updated version.

Economic and operational impact

The direct economic impact of this rectification does not translate into new fees or explicit sanctions contained in the published text. However, the real operational cost for affected companies can be significant:

• Label review and update: If corrections affect mandatory labeling, companies will need to redesign and reprint packaging materials, with associated production costs and possible withdrawal of incorrectly labeled stock.
• Update of technical sheets and regulatory documentation: Internal records, product dossiers and communications to customers must reflect the corrected text.
• Risk of non-compliance in inspections: Operating with documentation based on the erroneous text of the original regulation may result in observations or sanctions from food control authorities.
• Review of contracts with suppliers and customers: If the technical specifications of the ingredient have changed, contractual conditions agreed upon may be affected.

Who does it affect?

• Food insect producing companies that breed and process Acheta domesticus for human consumption in the EU
• Food manufacturers that incorporate domestic cricket (frozen, dried or powdered) as an ingredient in their products
• Importers of Acheta domesticus or derived products marketed in the European market
• Distributors and e-commerce operators that sell products with this ingredient under the authorization of Regulation (EU) 2022/188
• Regulatory advisors and quality and compliance departments of companies in the novel foods sector
• Labeling and packaging managers in food companies that use insects as an ingredient

Practical example

A Spanish company that manufactures protein bars with domestic cricket flour (Acheta domesticus powder) obtained its commercialization authorization in 2022 based on Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/188. Its current labels include the mandatory statements according to the original text of that regulation.

With the publication of this rectification on 8 September 2026, the company must:

1. Download and read the corrected text published in the EU Official Journal
2. Compare point by point the conditions of use, technical specifications and labeling requirements of the original text with the corrected one
3. If there are changes in labeling, plan the packaging update before exhausting current stock or within the timeframe set by authorities
4. Update the product technical sheets and notify its distributor customers

Failing to act is equivalent to continuing to operate with a version of the regulation that is no longer in force, which can generate problems during an inspection by the Spanish Food Safety and Nutrition Agency (AESAN) or regional food control authorities.

What should companies do now?

1. Download the official corrected text from the EU Official Journal and compare it with the original Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/188 published on 11 February 2022 (OJ L 30).
2. Identify what has changed in the conditions of use, technical specifications and labeling requirements that apply to your specific product.
3. Review current labeling of all products containing Acheta domesticus in frozen, dried or powdered forms and verify their compliance with the corrected text.
4. Update internal documentation: technical sheets, regulatory dossiers, supplier purchase specifications and customer communications.
5. Consult the updated list of novel foods contained in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470, which has also been modified by this rectification.
6. Seek advice from a food regulation expert if there are doubts about the scope of changes or applicable adaptation timelines in your specific case.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202690750