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Deep fried locusts may soon be on menus in Singapore.
CNN —
How about silkworm satay or nasi lemak with crispy crickets?
Singapore’s National Food Authority (SFA) has approved 16 species of edible insects for sale and consumption in the country, according to a notice sent to food traders on July 8.
“Effective immediately, the SFA allows the importation of insects and insect products belonging to species assessed as being of low regulatory concern,” the agency said in a statement.
Insects approved by the SFA include locusts, grasshoppers, mealworms and several species of beetles. “These insects and insect products can be used for human consumption and as feed for food animals,” the SFA said, adding that the insects “cannot be collected from the wild.”
“Documentary evidence is required that the insects are kept in facilities regulated by the competent authority,” the SFA said.
CNN has reached out to the SFA for further comment on the new regulations.
As in much of the world, eating insects is still a novelty in Singapore, where researchers have documented more than 2,100 species of edible insects, many of which are rich in important vitamins and minerals and offer a sustainable source of protein in contrast to methane-emitting livestock.
“Insects are an overlooked source of protein and a tool to combat climate change,” the World Economic Forum’s report states in 2022. “Eating animal protein contributes to greenhouse gases and climate change. Eating insects can offset climate change in multiple ways,” the researchers said.
In parts of Mexico, grasshopper tacos are a popular delicacy.
Ants, crickets and even tarantulas are also commonly eaten in other Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and Cambodia.
In Singapore, live insects are often sold as food for pets such as songbirds and reptiles, but they could also represent a new and attractive option in the human diet: Local chefs, restaurants and food and beverage companies are experimenting with different ways to safely serve insects in dishes such as salted egg crab with superworms, and in products such as protein bars.
“Because the insect industry is in its infancy and insects are a new food here, the SFA has developed an Insect Regulatory Framework which sets out guidelines for insects to be approved as food,” the SFA said.
