Documents 33
Entomophagy: an evolving terminology in need of review
There is growing interest in insects as human food in academia, food and agricultural industries, public Institutions and the public at large. Yet many of the words and concepts used to describe these organisms and the human practices surrounding them are still rudimentary, compared to the diversity of the organisms themselves and the existing complexity […]
Crickets are not a free lunch
It has been suggested that the ecological impact of crickets as a source of dietary protein is less than conventional forms of livestock due to their comparatively efficient feed conversion and ability to consume organic side-streams. This study measured the biomass output and feed conversion ratios of house crickets (Acheta domesticus) reared on diets that […]
Edible insects: greenhouse gases production
Greenhouse gas (GHG) production, as a cause of climate change, is considered as one of the biggest problems society is currently facing. The livestock sector is one of the large contributors of anthropogenic GHG emissions. Also, large amounts of ammonia (NH3), leading to soil nitrification and acidification, are produced by livestock. Therefore other sources of […]
Paul Vantomme speaks about edible insects
Paul Vantomme, FAO Edible Insects Project coordinator, talks about the history and the future of entomophagy as alternative source of proteins. Interview by Daniel Ambuhl – Skyfood.
Regolation (EC) n. 258/97 on Novel Food
Regolation EC n° 258/97 on Novel Foods is a very useful document for those interested in entomophaghy. Downolad Regluation EC No258:97 in pdf format (full text in English).
Report FAO: Edible insects. Future prospects for food and feed safety
The theme of entomophagy and insects as a resource for animal feed production is relatively recent. The events organized as part of Expo have allowed a global resonance of the argument, with a lot of interest and curiosity by the public, especially in Europe. Many people were not aware of the issue before, or at […]
EFSA’s Scientific Opinion on the risks of edible insects as food and feed
Interest is growing in the potential benefits of using insects in food and animal feed, but what would be the risks from production, processing and consumption of this alternative source of protein? EFSA has addressed this question with a risk profile that identifies the potential biological and chemical hazards as well as allergenicity and […]
