Regulations on insects as food and feed: a global comparison

Abstract

Insects, as a food and or feed source, represent an emerging protein source relevant to farmers, feed companies, food companies and food marketers globally. The growth of this industry is somewhat restricted due to outdated food and feed regulations covering insect use. The regulations also do not allow the use of all potential insects as food and feed. Governments aim to ensure food and feed safety, and each country has its own substantive and procedural rules for this purpose. However, the regulatory demands and differences between countries complicate the international marketing strategies for insect products. Food and feed regulation are separate; feed regulation may allow insect usage even when they are not allowed as food. Some countries have specific rules for novel foods, while others do not. This paper compares insect food and feed regulation of the primary production and marketing areas: the European Union, the United States, Canada, and Australia. In addition, the situation in selected countries in Central and South America, Asia and Africa is also discussed.

Nutritional composition of various insects and potential uses as alternative protein sources in animal diets

“…Edible insect regulations safety policies and regulations about the edible pests should be significant to the governments of both developing and developed countries to make sure that consumers are provided with a reduced or risk-free supply of this type of food from farm to fork [79]. The utilization pattern of a lot of customers have changed significantly in recent times due to their growing understanding of the quality and rights of safe foods, and this undoubtedly applies to edible insects and their derivatives [80]. Thus, the article clarifies that insects should be marketed for human utilization, especially for human consumption.…”

“…There are similar laws around the approval of novel food in North America. In Canada, authoritarian approvals must come from the Canadian food inspection agency and health Canada, (CFIAHC), and the food and drug administration in the United States, as well as the association of American feed control officers for feed ingredients definition committee [80].…”

“…The various food safety problems may be related to pest utilization, and the SFA will review whether it is safe to use before importing or selling. The companies intending to importance insects for human utilization (in Singapore) must submit an application with supporting food safety evidence [79][80][81].…”

Advancing edible insects as food and feed in a circular economy

“…Meyer et al (2021) recommend further research on the metabolic pathways of mycotoxins and veterinary drugs in insects, as detoxification/bioactivation pathways are not clear. The growth of the insect sector is constrained by a lack of (1) local regulations, and (2) a stable and consistent set of regulations across international borders (Lähteenmäki-Uutela et al, 2021). A future perspective given byLähteenmäki-Uutela et al (2021) is that if the familiar insect species are eventually authorised in all major countries, and the authorisations are generic, researchers and companies may shift their attention to new species.…”

Introducing the special issue: ‘Advancement of insects as food and feed in a circular economy’

“…There is also the issue about allergies brought about by insect consumption (Ribeiro et al, 2021). These food and feed safety issues will have a direct effect on legislative issues and regulatory frameworks (Lähteenmäki-Uutela et al, 2021). The technique of processing is reviewed (Sinderman et al, 2021) as are processing pathways and the extraction and utilisation of insect proteins, lipids and chitins (Ojha et al, 2021).…”