Insects as food
Insects as food or edible insects are insect species used for human consumption. Over 2 billion people are estimated to eat insects on a daily basis.[1] Globally, more than 2,000 insect species are considered edible, though far fewer are discussed for industrialized mass production and regionally authorized for use in food.[2][3][4][5] Many insects are highly nutritious, though nutritional content depends on species and other factors such as diet and age.[6][7] Insects offer a wide variety of flavors and are commonly consumed whole or pulverized for use in dishes and processed food products such as burger patties, pasta, or snacks.[8][9] Like other foods, there can be risks associated with consuming insects, such as allergic reactions.[10] As commercial interest in insects as food grows, countries are introducing new regulatory frameworks to oversee their production, processing, marketing, and consumption.[11]
For the cultural and biological process of eating insects, see Entomophagy in humans.Edible insects[edit]
Frequently consumed insect species[edit]
Human consumption of 2096 different insect species has been documented.[3]
The table below ranks insect order by number and percentage of confirmed species consumed and presents each insect orders' percentage of known insect species diversity.[3][12][13] With the exceptions of orders Orthoptera and Diptera, there is close alignment between species diversity and consumption, suggesting that humans tend to eat those insects that are most available.[14]
Regulation and authorisation[edit]
EU[edit]
In the European Union, edible insects – whole or in parts, e.g., legs, wings, or heads – fall within the definition of novel food, given by the European Commission.[53] Dossiers for several insect species are currently under review by the European Food Safety Authority.
In August 2018, EFSA published a first risk profile for the house cricket as food.[54] According to a risk assessment published by EFSA on 13 January 2021, the yellow mealworm is safe for human consumption.[55][56] On 2 July 2021, EFSA published another scientific opinion stating that migratory locust in frozen, dried or ground state is safe for human consumption.[57] On 17 August 2021, EFSA published a safety assessment with view to house crickets (Acheta domesticus) stating that frozen and dried formulations from whole house crickets are safe for consumption.[58] On 4 July 2022, EFSA published an opinion confirming the safety of frozen and freeze-dried formulations of the lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus in larval state) for human consumption.[59]
Following EFSA's assessment, the European Commission has authorized the following edible insects as novel food in the EU: