Hungarians do not want to eat insects, says Minister of Agriculture

István Nagy, Hungarian Minister of Agriculture has declared that “traditional Hungarian eating habits could be at risk” adding that “the European Commission is putting our traditional European way of life, our values and our culture at risk.”

The minister posted a video on social media in response to the European Commision’s decision to approve two more insects for human consumption: the lesser mealworm and crickets have now joined locusts and the larvae of the mealworm among the superfoods recommended for the human diet.

The minister added that “the food labeling regulation will be amended to ensure that products containing insect proteins are clearly distinguishable and displayed separately on the shelves in shops…The proposed regulation will require ingredients to be clearly labeled on the packaging”

Nagy went on to say that “Hungarians do not want to eat insects and there is no shortage of either food or protein in the country or in the European Union as a whole. Thanks to the diligence and perseverance of Hungarian farmers, our country has plenty of high-quality raw ingredients, fresh, healthy and high-quality foods.

We have no need for eating worms. It is important that we preserve our gastronomic traditions and don’t allow our eating habits to be changed. With this and other similar provocative decisions, the European Commission is putting our traditional European way of life, our values and our culture at risk. We cannot let this happen.

Hungary is acting within its national competence to protect its culture, its gastronomy, Hungarian families and Hungarian farmers.”

This is not the first time the Hungarian government has raised its voice against eating insects. In 2018, when the government’s references to “the Soros-plan” abounded, the idea that eating insects and bugs is also a part of the evil plan of Soros was introduced. Sándor Fazekas, who was Minister of Agriculture at the time said that chewing on insects is part of what the West so desperately wants to popularize as "being different". The West, according to the government media narrative, wanted all this mainly so that the "the powerful ones" in the background could make money from the mealworms sold.

During the 2022 parliamentary elections, House Speaker László Kövér said that it’s not just a matter of whether Fidesz or the opposition will govern, but it’s also a question of whether it will be: ham, sausage and knuckle or mealworm, crickets and locusts.