Insects could be food on European tables

(ANSA) - Strasbourg, October 28 - The European Parliament approved a revised text on Wednesday to regulations governing 'novel foods', in order to make it easier to approve items for consumption that are developed or produced using new technologies and production processes.
    Officially defined as "food not used for human consumption in the EU to a significant degree prior to 15 May 1997" (when the regulations were developed), so-called novel foods include, among other things, food with an intentionally modified primary molecular structure, food from micro-organisms, fungi and algae, insects, plants, cellular or tissue cultures, and engineered nanomaterials. The revised text was approved with 359 yes votes to 202 no votes and 127 abstentions. Italy's Green Party protested the vote.
    "The Parliament didn't live up to Europeans' concerns," it said. In order to take effect, the revision must also be approved by the European Council.