By Priyanka Deshpande
CNBC-TV18.com
Published July 8, 2024
The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) on Monday July 8, 2024, approved 16 species of insects for human consumption.
The approved insects include various species of crickets, grasshoppers, locusts, mealworms and silkworms.
Importers of farm insects or livestock feed, according to the SFA, must provide proof that the insects are farmed in regulated establishments with food safety controls, and not harvested from the wild.
Insects that are not on SFA’s list of 16 will have to undergo an evaluation to ensure that the species are safe to consume.
Companies selling pre-packed food with insects must label their packaging so consumers can make informed purchasing decisions.
Insect products will also undergo food safety testing, and non-compliant products will not be allowed for sale.
The announcement comes as a delight to industry players who have been gearing supply and catering in Singapore.
House of Seafood's CEO Francis Ng is preparing 30 insect-infused dishes, while Javier Yip, founder of logistics company Declarators, has set up a new business importing a variety of bug snacks like white grubs, silkworms, crickets, and mealworms to Singapore.
Japanese start-up Morus is also looking to launch a range of silkworm-based products in Singapore.
Insects have been touted by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation as a more sustainable alternative to meat, as they have high protein content and produce less greenhouse gas emissions when farmed.