While approving these insects âfor human consumption or as animal feedâ, the SFA informed that production must be safe, and not in the âwildâ.
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The Singapore Food Agency has approved 16 species of insects as food.
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The SFA said that the cultivation of these insects should be done properly.
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The food industry seems happy with the long-awaited decision.
Have you tried eating silkworms or crickets for lunch? Imagine adding some crunchy grasshoppers to your fried rice in place of fried shrimp. While this may sound strange to some, we bet foodies who love to experiment would want to try these unique recipes at least once. In that case, Singapore is the perfect place for you. According to the latest reports, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has recognized 16 different species of insects as safe for human consumption. âWith immediate effect, the SFA will allow the import of insects and insect products belonging to species that have been deemed of low regulatory concern,â the Food Authority of Singapore said in a circular on Monday.
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According to a report by Channel News Asia (CNA), the insects approved as food by the SFA include House cricket, Banded cricket, Common cricket, Two-spotted cricket, African migratory grasshopper, American sweet grasshopper, Grasshopper, Superworm, Mealworm, Lesser mealworm, Lesser wax moth, Greater wax moth, Silkworm/Silkworm, Whitegrub, Giant Rhino Beetle grub, and western honey bee,
CNN reports that when approving âfor human consumption or as animal feedâ the body informed that the production must be safe and clean, and not in the âwildâ. âDocumentary evidence is required to show that insects are cultivated in premises regulated by the competent authority,â the SFA said.
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Photo Credit: Pexels
According to the Straits Times, the announcement comes as a joy to the food and beverage industry, which is now preparing to receive insects from regulated farms in China, Thailand and Vietnam.
The SFA further explained that strict safety regulations must be followed in both the kitchen and pre-packaged industries to deal with these insects, including proper labeling of how the insects are obtained.
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The SFA also revealed that insects outside the 16 approved species will have to undergo assessment to ensure they are safe for consumption, the South China Morning Post reports.
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