IPIFF Publications
IPIFF Contribution – Commitment of the European insect sector towards more resilient and sustainable food supply systems
Date: 09 April 2020
The well-functioning of our food supply systems is essential to ensure food security for affected populations around the globe during times of crisis. Alike for many other food sectors, the COVID-19 pandemic poses numerous challenges to insect producers in Europe and around the globe. Exclusively composed of SMEs and ‘newly established’ businesses, the insect sector is, indeed, facing important disruptions as a consequence of this unprecedented crisis.
Download the IPIFF Contribution here.
Position Paper – The contribution of the European insect sector to improving sustainability from ‘Farm to Fork’
Date: 18 February 2020
The International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed – IPIFF – the Brussels-based umbrella organisation representing stakeholders active across the insect production value chains publishes today a ‘Position Paper‘ entitled ‘The Contribution of the European Insect Sector to Improving Sustainability from Farm to Fork‘.
Download the IPIFF Position Paper on the ‘Farm to Fork’.
Contribution Paper – The application of insect frass as fertilising product in agriculture
Date: 19 September 2019
The International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed – the European association representing the stakeholders involved in the production of insects – is publishing today its ‘Contribution Paper on the application of insect frass as fertilising product in agriculture‘, a document which presents the position of the umbrella association as part of its strategy to expand the circularity potential of insect production.
Download the IPIFF contribution on insect frass application as fertilising product.
Updated Briefing Paper – The provisions relevant to the commercialization of insect-based products intended for human consumption in the EU
Date: 13 August 2019
This updated version of the briefing paper published in May 2018 elaborates on the procedures related to the authorisation of a novel food (namely the transitional measure), but also on the role of the European authority in charge of risk assessment throughout the food chain – the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Furthermore, it also addresses potential scenarios for FBOs during the transitional period and steps following the authorisation of a novel food application (data protected/non-data protected).To this end, the Briefing paper includes up-to-date information on the EFSA Administrative Guidance, improving the overall understanding of current and prospective applicants with regards to the criteria necessary for a comprehensive application (the completeness checklist has to be fulfilled) and the factors which could influence the estimated timeframe – such as the ‘stop-the-clock’ procedure.
Please note that recently added text appears in red.
Download the updated briefing paper.
Contribution Paper – EU organic certification of insect production activities
Date: 29 March 2019
The International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed (IPIFF), the focal point of the European insect production sector in Brussels, warmly welcomes the latest developments in the field of organic certification of insect production activities.
Download our contribution paper on the EU organic certification of insect production activities.
Position Paper – The revision of EU food hygiene legislation and import rules for insects as food
Date: 5 November 2018
As EU umbrella organisation for the insect production sector, IPIFF welcomes the establishment of harmonised rules to spell out hygiene requirements and EU import conditions for food insect products.
Download our position paper on the revision of the EU food hygiene rules & imports of insects.
Contribution Paper – The development of a European Protein Plan
Date: 28 September 2018
The present document explains how in her view the insect sector may contribute to respond to the challenge of the EU protein deficit (see chapter 1) and sets a series of general recommendations for the EU protein plan along that line (see chapter 2).
Download our IPIFF contribution paper on the development of a European Protein Plan.
Briefing Paper – The provisions relevant to the commercialization of insect-based products intended for human consumption in the EU
Please note that, as of August 2019, this version is obsolete. To have access to the updated version, please check the Updated Briefing Paper above, or download it using this link.
Date: 25 May 2018
This briefing paper sets out the administrative steps to be followed by insect producers intending to submit an application for authorisation of an insect/ insect product as novel food within the European Union. It is intended to be used as a practical guide to the EU legislative texts that are applicable to their activities, namely Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 on novel foods and its implementing measures (see section I.1 for further information).
Download our IPIFF briefing.
Summary Guidelines – The provisions relevant to the commercialization of insect-based products intended for human consumption in the EU
Please note that, as of August 2019, this document is obsolete. To have access to the updated version, please check the Updated Briefing Paper above, or download it using this link.
Date: 25 May 2018
These Summary Guidelines are intended to provide an overview of the administrative steps to be followed by insect producers intending to submit an application for authorisation within the European Union, in accordance with this legislation. This document also includes information on the notification procedure applying to traditional foods from third countries, however, it does not specifically address all procedural steps associated with this specific regulatory path.
Download our IPIFF summary.
Possible approaches to addressing data requirements for novel food applications for insects and insect-derived products in the EU
Date: 16 May 2018
The present document has been prepared for the International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed (IPIFF) in relation to the regulatory requirements including risk assessment of insects intended for human consumption in the European Union (EU). This document provides an overview of the main aspects that should be considered when preparing an application for the authorisation of insects for human consumption under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 on novel foods.
Download our IPIFF summary.
Position Paper – The use insect proteins as animal feed
Date: 26 July 2017
IPIFF believes that insects will soon constitute a reliable alternative or addition to fishmeal feed formulae for aquaculture: insect nutritional characteristics (e.g. protein content, amino acid profile and/or digestibility levels) are indeed comparable to those of fishmeal products, making them a pertinent substitute or addition in the diet of certain fish species (e.g. trout or Atlantic Salmon) or shellfish (e.g. shrimps).
Download our position paper on the use of insect proteins in animal feed.
Position Paper – Implementation of EU Regulation 2015/2283 on ‘novel foods’
Date: 29 November 2016
IPIFF considers that the establishment of harmonized rules for the marketing of insect products is a ‘step in the right direction’: while insects have the potential to become a major source of protein in Europe, insect producers primarily rely on a ‘solid’ and ‘stable’ EU regulatory framework to plan their investment marketing activities throughout the continent.
Download our position paper on the implementation of EU NF regulation.
IPIFF’s Policy Priorities towards 2025
The Research Priorities of the European Insect Sector
Download IPIFF’s Contribution Paper on Research Priorities here
IPIFF Guidance – the Provision of Food Information to Consumers
IPIFF Guide on Good Hygiene Practices
IPIFF Guide on Good Hygiene Practices for European Union producers of insects as food and feed
The European Insect Sector Today: Challenges, Opportunities and Regulatory Landscape
Download the IPIFF vision paper on the future of the insect sector towards 2030
Press Release – The European insect sector welcomes the CJEU ruling and looks ahead to the novel food authorisations
The International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed (IPIFF) – the European association representing the stakeholders involved in the production and commercialisation of insects – welcomes the European Union Court of Justice ruling delivered on the 1st of October 2020. The CJEU clarified that ‘food consisting of whole animals such as ‘whole insects’ does not fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 258/97 on novel food’.
Download the 📩 Press Release here.
Press Release – The Insect Sector Milestones Towards Sustainable Food Supply Chains
The International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed (IPIFF) – the focal point of the insect production sector in the capital of the European Union – salutes today’s release of the ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy. To provide constructive input to the ‘Farm to Fork’ discussions, IPIFF launches a brochure entitled ‘The insect sector milestones towards sustainable food supply chains’. This document provides an overview of the main IPIFF regulatory priorities, presented in line with the general strategic orientations under the ‘Farm to Fork’ (F2F) strategy.
Download the 📩 Press Release here.
Press statement – Commitment of the European insect sector towards more resilient and sustainable food supply systems – April 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has visible implications on the well-functioning of agriculture and other sectors directly involved in food production activities (e.g. declining agricultural workforce or heavily disrupted supply chains) – including on the insect production sector.
‘We wish to highlight the importance of classifying insect farming as an ‘essential activity’ by national public authorities. The functioning of innovative food-producing systems, providing high-quality solutions for the food and feed chains, has to remain a priority in times of crisis’, declared the IPIFF President Antoine Hubert.
Download 📫Press Statement here.
Press statement – The contribution of the European insect sector to improving sustainability from ‘Farm to Fork’ – February 2020
As part of the ongoing discussions on the development of the ‘Farm to Fork‘ Strategy, IPIFF wishes to underline a couple of elements of significance for the insect production sector, in particular with regards to the implementation of the objectives of the ‘Farm to Fork’ Strategy. This document aims at supporting the ongoing and upcoming deliberations on this topic, highlighting the contribution of the insect farming sector to improving sustainability from ‘Farm to Fork’.
Download 📨 Press Statement here.
Press release – The European insect sector supports the development of research projects in line with its regulatory calendar – December 2019
Gathered in the EU’s capital for the International Workshop entitled ‘Unleashing the Circularity Potential of the European Insect Sector through Research and Innovation’ and the IPIFF General Assembly, the International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed (IPIFF) – the Brussels-based umbrella organisation representing stakeholders active across the insect production value chains – reiterated the importance of synergetic research initiatives, developed in harmony with the regulatory calendar of the sector and markets’ needs.
Download 📨 Press Release here.
Press release – IPIFF Contribution Paper on the application of insect frass as fertilising product in agriculture – September 2019
The International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed – the European association representing the stakeholders involved in the production of insects – is publishing today its ‘Contribution Paper on the application of insect frass as fertilising product in agriculture‘ a document which presents the position of the umbrella association as part of its strategy to expand the circularity potential of insect production.
Press release – Building Bridges between the Insect Production Chain, Research and Policymakers – September 2019
The International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed (IPIFF) is publishing today a Contribution Paper on the Research Priorities of the European insect producing sector, entitled ‘The International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed – building bridges between the insect production chain, research and policymakers’. This document is the result of a multistakeholder dialogue within the umbrella association, a process that has been initiated at IPIFF’s latest General Assembly meeting – held in May in Copenhagen. More information in the full Press Release below.
Press release – Bringing food information closer to consumers: the European insect sector
publishes guidelines for edible insects – July 2019
IPIFF – the International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed – the EU umbrella organisation for the European insect production sector is publishing today a Guidance document on EU food labelling standards applicable to insects and insect-based products.
Press release – Insect producers call for EU food hygiene standards and tailored best practices – May 2019
Gathered in Copenhagen for the Workshop on ‘Good Hygiene Practices in insect production’ and the IPIFF General Assembly, the International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed (IPIFF) – the European umbrella organisation representing the interests of the insect production sector for food and feed – has reaffirmed the need to establish EU food hygiene standards for the insect sector, while fostering transparent communication along the food and feed chain.
Press release – Contribution Paper on EU organic certification of insect production activities – March 2019
The International Platform of Insects for Food and Feed (IPIFF), the focal point of the European insect production sector in Brussels, warmly welcomes the latest developments in the field of organic certification of insect production activities.
Press release – GGHP February 2019
IPIFF – ‘International Platform of Insects for Food & Feed’ , which is the EU umbrella organisation for the insect production sector unveils today a guidance document on the best practices in quality and hygienic insect production – the paper is available on the IPIFF website through the following link. Initiated in November 2016, the draft Guide contains general recommendations for operators active in the production of insects for food and/or feed to implement best hygiene practices with a view to achieving high levels of consumer protection and animal health.
Press release – January 2019
At a meeting held in Brussels, In wake of the recently published EAT-Lancet Commission report setting targets for healthy diets and sustainable food production, the insect producers associations for SE
Asia (AFFIA), Europe (IPIFF), North America (NACIA) and Australia (IPAA) are calling for ambitious policy and research strategies, to support the insect industry in effectively contributing to the achievement of these targets.
Joint Press release – November 2018
In the wake of the ‘EU Plant Proteins’ report, the EU umbrella organisations for the algae (EABA), yeast (COFALEC) and insect production sectors (IPIFF) jointly called for a wide EU Action Plan to boost the development of ‘new’ proteins sources in Europe.
Press release – November 2018
Gathered in Brussels for the IPIFF 2018 Annual Conference, 200 participants, including European Commission Officials, Member States representatives and other delegates ranging from the insect sector, agri-food industry and scientists, recalled the potential laying in insects for food and feed, while highlighting the importance of EU legislation for the development of the sector.
Press release – January 2018
IPIFF – the European umbrella Organisation representing the interests of the Insect Production sector for Food and Feed – welcomed today’s entry into force of Regulation 2015/2283 on novel foods, which should pave the way for the wider use of insects as food in Europe.
This new EU piece of legislation – together with its implementing Regulations 2017/2468 & 2017/2469 – defines the standards & authorisation procedures for the commercialization of novel products, such as insects and their derived products, on the European market. The text is fully applicable since 1st January 2018.
Press release – November 2017
Gathered in Brussels for the IPIFF 2017 International Conference, more than 250 participants, including EU Commissioner for Health & Food Safety Vytenis Andriukaitis, European Parliament and Estonian Presidency representatives, as well as delegates ranging from insect producers, policy makers, scientists, NGOs and agri-food industry, recalled the potential lying in insects for food and feed. Furthermore, the event raised awareness about the opportunities for insect producers in a European context.
Press release – July 2017 #2
This move came after the European Council and the Parliament adopted, in November 2015, a new EU Regulation – i.e. Regulation 2015/2283 – reviewing the current EU legislation on ‘novel foods’ . the European legislator empowered the European Commission to define the technical rules of this new EU law, prior to its application as from 1st January 2018: these notably concern the content and format of applications for authorisation, which insect producers have to submit to the European Commission, in view of authorising their products as food on the European market.
Press release – July 2017
In the wake of this legislative reform, IPIFF President Antoine Hubert reacted: “We are particularly pleased with the opening of this legislation, which constitutes a major milestone towards the development of the European insect production sector”. “We also trust that this legislation will bring new opportunities for the European aquaculture sector, as insects should represent a promising source of proteins for farmed fish in the near future: as being a natural component of…
Press release – March 2017
In the wake of the green light given by EU Member States on the use of insect proteins as fish feed in Europe, IPIFF commits to assist insect producers in the implementation of the legislation, which will apply as from 1st July 2017.
IPIFF is notably engaged, in the development of a guidance paper documenting best practice in quality and hygienic insect production. The completion of the project is forecasted by the end of 2017.
Press release – December 2016
The EU Member States representatives endorsed a European Commission proposal which was discussed today in a meeting of the EU Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (SCoPAFF). The text is expected to be formally adopted during spring 2017, which means that insect proteins should be effectively authorized for use in fish feed as from 1st July 2017.
Reacting to Member States’ vote, IPIFF President Antoine Hubert said ‘we are particularly pleased with the move made by EU institutions: the opening of this legislation is in our view a major milestone towards the development of the European insect production sector’.