Singapore Approves 16 Insects Including Crickets, Grasshoppers For Human Consumption

Singapore has approved 16 insect species for human consumption, meeting industry demands and aligning with the UN's promotion of insects as a sustainable protein source.

Singapore Food Agency approved 16 species of insects, including crickets, grasshoppers, and locusts, for human consumption. (Image Source: Wikimedia Commons)

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The food regulatory authority of Singapore on Monday approved 16 species of insects, including crickets, grasshoppers, and locusts, for human consumption. This addition enriches the city-state's diverse menu, which already features Chinese and Indian cuisine.

According to The Straits Times, this eagerly awaited news has excited industry stakeholders preparing to supply Singapore with insects farmed in China, Thailand, and Vietnam. All the insects which are approved, encompass various species such as crickets, grasshoppers, locusts, mealworms, and silkworms.

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has specified that anyone planning to import or farm insects for food or livestock feed must adhere to the regulations of the SFA. This includes proving that the insects are sourced from controlled environments with food safety measures and are not wild-harvested.

For insects not on the approved list, an evaluation process will be necessary to confirm their safety for consumption. Additionally, companies selling packaged insect-based foods must label their products to inform consumers, and these products will be subject to food safety testing to ensure compliance with SFA standards, it said.

A UN report on lab-grown meat safety highlighted Singapore as the only country selling such products, using it as a case study. The SFA began consultations on allowing 16 insect species for consumption in October 2022, initially planning to approve them by mid-2023, but this was later delayed to early 2024.

In April 2023, SFA stated that it would give the green light for these species which will be consumed in the second half of 2023. Later, this deadline was pushed back to the first half of 2024.

'Francis Ng' Is Preparing Menu With Thirty Dishes Featuring Insects

The broadsheet reported the news and stated that the chief executive of the House of Seafood restaurant, Francis Ng, is preparing a menu with thirty dishes that feature insects. The restaurant's menu will feature silkworm pupae, crickets, and superworms among the 16 authorised species. The insects will be included in some of its seafood dishes, such as salted egg crab, for example.

Prior to the approval, Ng stated that the restaurant received five to six calls every day asking about its insect-based dishes and when patrons could begin placing orders for them. “Many of our customers, especially young people who are under 30 years old, are very daring. They want to be able to see the whole insect in the dish. So, I’m giving them many options to choose from,” the Singapore daily quoted Ng as saying.

He expected that sales from insect-based dishes would increase his revenue by around 30 per cent.

Javier Yip, founder of logistics firm Declarators, has established a business to import insects into Singapore, offering a variety of bug snacks like white grubs, silkworms, crickets, and mealworms. Yip collaborates with farms in China, Thailand, and Vietnam to supply these insects.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation promotes insects as a sustainable meat alternative due to their high protein content and lower greenhouse gas emissions when farmed.

Japanese start-up Morus aims to introduce silkworm-based products to Singapore, targeting high-end restaurants and health-conscious consumers. Their offerings include pure silkworm powder, matcha powder, protein powder, and protein bars, which are rich in protein, amino acids, vitamins, fiber, and minerals.

Recognising that insect consumption is not traditional in Singapore, Morus plans to hold pop-up events and consumer workshops to increase awareness, according to CEO Ryo Sato.