Crickets, mealworms, grasshoppers and more are making their way to the American food supply.
In recent years, the idea of incorporating insects into the human diet has gained traction and popularity due to their potential as a sustainable and protein-rich food source. Tyson Foods recently partnered with Protix (an insect ingredient company). “Through a direct equity investment, Tyson Foods will acquire a minority stake in Protix to help fund its global expansion. In addition, Tyson Foods and Protix have entered a joint venture for the operation and construction of an insect ingredient facility in the continental U.S. Upon completion; the companies say it will be the first at-scale facility of its kind to upcycle food manufacturing by-products into high-quality insect proteins and lipids which will primarily be used in the pet food, aquaculture, and livestock industries.However, as with any new dietary trend, it is crucial to scrutinize both the benefits and drawbacks.” (1)
More and more food companies are looking to join this movement, which is imminently coming to the United States. While the endeavor will start with pet food and livestock feed, the food industry will use it in aquaculture, which is the breeding, raising, growing, and harvesting of aquatic organisms (often for human consumption). Pets (cats and dogs) were designed to eat meat. Cats are naturally carnivores, and dogs are mostly omnivores (animals and plants). Most pet food is loaded with pesticide-sprayed grains, sugars, additives, and by-products from other animals. The pet food supply in America needs an overhaul as it currently stands. When it comes to livestock, cows are herbivores by nature. The mass production of animals in America has resulted in cows in feedlots eating pesticide-sprayed grains instead of roaming pastures. Seeing how cows’ bodies respond to eating bugs will be interesting. That is an entirely different subject that deserves its own article. Chickens, however, are more suited to eating bugs as they are part of their regular diet. It is essential to point out that when it comes to livestock and fish, humans are affected by what those animals are fed. In my 2009 nutrition book, I wrote, “You aren’t what you eat. You are what you are eating ate.” Whatever the animal eats ends up in their flesh that we then consume.
The ramp-up from livestock, pets, and aquaculture to widespread human consumption is sure to be forthcoming and swift. Several companies already offer insect protein and incorporate insects into human food products.
All Things Bugs – www.allthingsbugs.com makes the trademarked Griopro cricket powder available to food manufacturers.
Entomo –www.entomofarms.com is a Canadian company that makes and sells cricket protein and whole roasted crickets. These are already available at some stores and www.amazon.com (search here: https://amzn.to/3USRCWh)
Chirps – www.eatchirps.com has a line of snack foods, including cookie mix, roasted and flavored crickets, chips, and cricket powder. These are also available at www.amazon.com (search here: https://amzn.to/42WCdWQ) and some retailers. Chirps also appeared on Shark Tank in 2017. At the time, Mark Cuban offered a $100,000 investment and 15% equity.
Exo – www.exoprotein.com makes a line of snack foods, including protein bars, breakfast bars, cookies, and powder. These are also available at www.amazon.com (search here: https://amzn.to/3SZbzbr)
You should also be aware that labels will often use the scientific names of insects, so you need to know what to look for. Crickets, as an ingredient, can be listed as Acheta, Acheta domesticus, or Grillodes Sigillatus. Mealworms may also be listed on the ingredient label as Tenebrio Molitor. Grasshoppers can also be called Locusta Migratura.
Significant concerns are associated with the consumption of insects, including the presence of chitin, exoskeletons, and parasites, which bring forth several downsides that merit attention.
Chitin and Digestive Dilemmas
Chitin, a structural component of insect exoskeletons, poses a unique challenge to human digestion. The human digestive system lacks the enzymes necessary to break down chitin effectively. Therefore, there can be incomplete digestion of chitin. This undigested chitin could lead to digestive discomfort, constipation, and gastrointestinal issues. The resilience of chitin in the digestive process prompts questions about the overall impact on long-term digestive health in individuals who regularly consume insects.
Nutrient Absorption Interference
The exoskeletons of insects contain chitin and other compounds like proteins and minerals. While insects are nutrient-dense, the presence of these compounds in the exoskeletons may interfere with the absorption of essential nutrients in the human digestive tract. This interference could lead to nutritional imbalances and deficiencies, undermining the nutritional benefits insect consumption should offer.
Parasitic Perils
One of the most significant concerns associated with eating insects is the potential transmission of parasites to humans. Insects can serve as hosts for various parasites during their life cycle. Consuming undercooked or raw insects may expose individuals to parasitic infections, posing severe health risks. Parasites such as tapeworms and nematodes have been found in certain insect species, raising questions about the safety of insect consumption without thorough cooking or processing. A 2019 study analyzed edible insects and parasitic disease transmission to humans. “The experimental material comprised samples of live insects (imagines) from 300 household farms and pet stores, including 75 mealworm farms, 75 house cricket farms, 75 Madagascar hissing cockroach farms and 75 migrating locust farms. Parasites were detected in 244 (81.33%) out of 300 (100%) examined insect farms. In 206 (68.67%) of the cases, the identified parasites were pathogenic for insects only; in 106 (35.33%) cases, parasites were potentially parasitic for animals; and in 91 (30.33%) cases, parasites were potentially pathogenic for humans. Edible insects are an underestimated reservoir of human and animal parasites. Our research indicates the important role of these insects in the epidemiology of parasites pathogenic to vertebrates. Conducted parasitological examination suggests that edible insects may be the most important parasite vector for domestic insectivorous animals. According to our studies the future research should focus on the need for constant monitoring of studied insect farms for pathogens, thus increasing food and feed safety.” The potential for parasite exposure is an extreme reason for concern.
Allergies and Sensitivities
Chitin is known to trigger allergic reactions in some individuals. Allergies to crustaceans, which also contain chitin, are relatively common, and there is a possibility that individuals with such allergies may react similarly to insects. The consumption of insects may pose a risk to individuals with chitin allergies, leading to symptoms ranging from mild itching to severe anaphylaxis.
Environmental Contaminants & Food Safety
The cultivation and harvesting of insects for human consumption may involve challenges related to food safety. Insects are often sourced from diverse environments, including the wild or insect farms. Ensuring the safety of the entire supply chain is crucial to prevent contamination with harmful bacteria, fungi, heavy metals, or other pathogens. Failure to address these food safety challenges may result in outbreaks of foodborne illnesses associated with insect consumption. Insects are often harvested from the wild or raised in various environments, including insect farms. When consumed, these contaminants bioaccumulate and could pose health risks, counteracting the perceived health benefits of insect consumption. Ensuring the safety of the insect supply chain becomes imperative to mitigate these concerns.
Cultural and Psychological Barriers
Beyond the physiological concerns, cultural and psychological barriers contribute to the hesitancy surrounding insect consumption. The thought of ingesting insects with their chitin, exoskeletons, and potential parasites can be off-putting for many individuals. Overcoming these cultural and psychological hurdles is essential to foster widespread acceptance of insects as a viable and safe dietary option. You can be sure there is a concerted effort by government, investors, food companies, venture capitalists, and more to overcome these hurdles. Watch for propaganda and promote insects as a suitable protein moving forward.
While insects potentially offer a sustainable and protein-rich alternative to traditional protein sources, one cannot ignore the downsides associated with chitin, exoskeletons, and parasitic risks. Neither can the agenda to move away from animal products (also a topic for another article). There are plenty of sources of proteins that do not have any of these issues. The challenges presented by incomplete digestion, nutrient interference, parasitic infections, food safety issues, cultural barriers, and hidden and not-so-hidden agendas underscore the need for careful consideration and thorough research before advocating widespread insect consumption.
