Elemental content of the commercial insect-based products available in the European Union

Modern food production accounts for over 25% of human greenhouse gas emissions, predominantly from animal -related products. Climate change calls for transforming food and feed industries. Edible insects are attracting attention as an alternative low-carbon footprint source of protein. However, questions remain about their total nutritional value and some safety issues. This study analyzed the content of essential, toxic, and rare earth el-ements (REEs) in insect-based food and feed products commercially available in the European Union. In general, the content of macro-and microelements decreased in the following order: K>Na>P>Ca>Mg, and Zn>Fe>Cu>Mn>Mo>Se>Cr>Co. The highest mineral content was found in products based on house cricket. The level of toxic elements was below the allowance thresholds in foodstuffs. Increased content of Al and Pb was found in feed based on yellow mealworm (18.6 and 10.3 mg/100 g, respectively). REEs were not abundant (median 6.6 mu g/100 g). The highest content of REEs was observed in feed products (133 mu g/100 g). These results demonstrate that insect-based food can have favourable mineral content with low metal, metalloid, and REEs contamination levels, not posing any safety concerns. However, their elevated content in a single feed product advocates for further studies to understand the potential risk of introducing toxic elements into the food chain.