Overview on benefits and risks of alternative proteins and novel foods: worth it?

The increasing number of the human population has prompted the international community, in the last years, to scout for new, sustainable, and natural protein resources from insects, underutilized legume crops, edible fungi etc in order to assure foods for all at a global scale. This note will update on the current state of underutilized legume crops, fungi, and insects intended as alternative protein sources, from the ingredient production to their incorporation in food products amd will be discussed the threats that novel foods can pose to human health. Special emphasis will be given to the safety aspects such as the presence of anti-nutritional compounds and allergenic proteins in insects and/or underutilized legumes that may represent a menace for allergic consumers. Finally efforts done at EU level to increase the safety of novel foods and protect consumers health will be also presented and discussed.