As a result of the information published in the public space, including on social networks, it was found that most Romanian citizens are reluctant to consume food products that are / contain species of any insects authorised to be placed on the market as novel foods. At the same time, experience has shown the need for regulation through rules requiring economic operators to indicate, in a clear, precise and unequivocal manner, information about the nature of food products. Given that food products that are / contain species of any insects authorised to be placed on the market are novel foods, with which consumers are not familiar, they shall be presented in separate stands from those with classic and duly marked food products.

The draft legislative act ensures that consumers in Romania are better informed with regard to food information that is / contains species of any insects authorised to be placed on the market as novel foods in accordance with Commission Implementing Regulations (EC) 2021/882, 2021/1975, 2023/5 and 58/2023, namely yellow mealworm, Locusta migratoria, house cricket and Alphitobius diaperinus larvae (lesser mealworm) as well as any other insect species included in the Union’s list of novel foods in the Annex to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470, marketed both in the conventional direct sales areas and by means of a remote communication technique, as well as finished food products/food prepared and/or offered for sale to the consumer for consumption on the spot or at home by mass caterers, information intended to help consumers make informed choices.