Singapore approved 16 insects as food for human consumption

The State Food Agency (SFA) of Singapore has approved 16 insects as “edible” food for human consumption. Crickets, mealworms, grasshoppers, locusts, and silkworms are among those edible insects.

SFA issued a public notice to food vendors regarding the edible insects on July 8, 2024. It stated in a news release that it would immediately allow the import of insects and insect products belonging to species that have been assessed to be of low regulatory concern.

*People of Singapore can now eat grasshoppers, locusts and other insects*

The agency announced that approved insects and insect products can be used for human consumption or as animal feed for food-producing animals. However, it emphasized that insects could not be obtained from wild places.

SFA also instructed to grow edible insects on the premises under the control of the Competent Authority. So, the documentary evidence for this is necessary. It will test the insect’s quality and, in case of not fulfilling its criteria will result in rejection.

However, the Singapore Agency has approved 16 edible insects to boost food security in the country. Hence, it has become one of the nations that joined insect-consuming countries, including China, Thailand, and Mexico. However, eating insects is a new concept in Singapore, as in many parts of the world.

*List of all 16 edible insects approved by the Singapore Food Agency*

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Several experts have considered more than 2,100 types of edible insects to be rich in vitamins and minerals. According to them, those insects are a source of a sustainable supply of high protein, an essential nutrient for the human body.

The World Economic Forum stated in its 2022 report that insects are an underestimated source of protein and a way to fight climate change.

Our use of protein from animals is the primary cause of greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. Cattle emit methane, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, more than 2,100 edible insects.