The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) is conducting study and getting feedback from the food and animal feed industry, on allowing insects for human consumption and as livestock feed.
This should pave the way for the country to set up new regulations and permit the consumption of insect proteins derived from crickets, beetles, moths and bees. Insect proteins can either be consumed directly or further processed into snacks or protein bars.
The SFA has also studied insect consumption in other countries like Australia, Thailand and South Korea. The regulations on insect food business, whether imported or locally farmed will be subject to food safety requirements and conditions. In addition, only selected species of insects which have a history of human consumption like crickets, silkworm pupae etc. can be allowed for human consumption. Those without a proper history will fall under ‘novel foods’ and need to conduct safety assessments for SFA review.
Singapore’s decision to allow insect food consumption aligns with UN FAO promotion of insects for commercial farming and for human consumption as well as its use in animal feed. Insects also have high protein and nutrient contents yet emit less greenhouse gases compared with farmed livestock.
The move to allow insect food consumption also aligns with Singapore’s 30 by 30 strategy as it seeks to rely on alternative proteins to safeguard its food security.
For local companies, SFA highlighted that there are currently more than 10 local companies interested in insect food farming, production and imports. For companies like Asia Insect Farm Solutions, this news is extremely welcome as the company can now plan its business and commercialise its products for the local market.
