The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has just approved 16 species of insects for human consumption and as feed for food-producing animals, including the common cricket, silkworm and giant rhino beetle grub.
A regulatory framework is being instilled to warrant best practice, including food safety measures for correct farming along with the guarantee that the new species have been consumed by humans in the past. The SFA will also conduct regular inspections in production facilities to ensure that the hygiene and safety standards are being followed.
“Companies selling pre-packaged food, including those containing insects as an ingredient, are required to label the product packaging to indicate the true nature of the product. Similar to other food available in our market, insect products are subjected to SFA’s inspection and surveillance, which include sampling for food safety testing. Food that is found to be non-compliant with SFA’s food safety regulations will not be allowed for sale”, the SFA explains.
The decision is partly in a bid to counter the effects of climate change, as insects are a high source of protein at a much smaller cost to the environment, unlike the typical animal livestock. It might come as a surprise that many of the creepy-crawlies on the list contain further nutritional benefits such as magnesium, copper, zinc and iron minerals as well as a richness in antioxidants.
While Singaporean restaurants and food and drink companies begin to ready themselves for an extension to their offerings, this isn’t the first country in the world to include insects among their culinary delights. Mexico is dishing out grasshopper tacos in various parts of the country and tarantulas are a well-established snack in Cambodia and Thailand.
So, if you’re planning on making a trip to Singapore in the near future, be sure to know what you’re getting yourself into when asking to try the local delicacies.
