02063nas a2200241   4500000000100000000000100001008004100002260007000043653001600113653002000129653000900149653001600158653001600174100001200190700001800202700001300220700001400233700001600247245007500263490000800338520146100346022001401807       2019                            d  c03/2019bSchlütersche Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KGaHannover10aentomophagy10arisk assessment10aEFSA10afood safety10afeed safety1 aM Ferri1 aF di Federico1 aS Damato1 aF Proscia1 aN Grabowski00aInsects as feed and human food and the public health risk – a review0 v1323 aThe human consumption of insects (entomophagy) as an alternative and nutritious  animal protein is increasing among consumers in Western countries. In order to  assess the microbiological and chemical safety of edible insects, in the last decades,  several national food safety agencies in the European Union (EU) have attempted to  perform risk assessments. More insight was recently provided by the European Food  Safety Authority (EFSA) in the published scientific opinion related to production and  consumption of insects as food as well as feed, with a focus on human and environmental  risks. The aim of this paper is to review the main aspects that revolve around  insects as food and feed, such as the production, processing, consumption, current  EU legal framework, environmental and nutritional aspects, the risk of biological and  chemical hazards associated to insects and to the substrates used in farming, as well  as potential for allergies. In addition, the paper identifies main challenges and opportunities  on the use of insects feedstuff and foodstuff and provides recommendations  for the different stakeholders. In particular, the recommendations highlight the  need to conduct more research as regards the feed risk assessment, to develop and  validate food safety technological innovation at industrial level, to include insects  in the international food safety regulatory framework, and to promote consumers  awareness campaigns.  a0005-9366