Singapore diners may soon be able to enjoy insect-based dishes in restaurants. The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) is finalizing regulations to allow the sale of certain insects as food.
This comes after a year-long delay and public consultation on the matter.
Initially announced in late 2022, the plan to allow insects for human consumption has been met with both excitement and challenges.
Sixteen insect species, including crickets, silkworms, and grasshoppers, are expected to be approved for consumption. These insects are a rich source of protein and other nutrients.
To ensure safety, insects must be farmed in controlled environments and not harvested from the wild.
The substrate they consume must also be free of contaminants. Regulations will vary depending on the insect species being farmed.
Some restaurants are already preparing for the change by experimenting with insect-based dishes. House of Seafood, for example, is working on cleaning and preparing insects for culinary use.
Insect farms are also gearing up for the new regulations.
Local startup Altimate Nutrition is collaborating with farms in Thailand to rear insects for food production. Singaporean farms will need to apply for licenses, with a processing time of two weeks to a month.
While some insect farms have closed due to delays, others like Werms.Inc are optimistic about the new market for human consumption.
They already have the expertise and can easily scale up production. However, challenges remain in securing space and labor for insect farming.
Experts acknowledge that insects may carry germs like salmonella, but proper farming and processing can minimize these risks.
Additionally, these germs may not easily transmit to humans due to evolutionary differences.
Overall, the introduction of insect-based food in Singapore is a move towards sustainable protein sources and culinary innovation.
With proper regulations and industry adaptation, this new food source has the potential to take off.
Image—Getty Images
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