Singapore Food Agency recently approved the consumption of 16 species of insects in Singapore. While this may be gross to some, it marks a significant step towards diversifying the country’s food sources and promoting sustainable protein alternatives. On July 8, Singapore Food Agency (SFA) made it culturally acceptable to eat these insects and laid out guidelines to ensure the safety and quality of consumption for diners. Here’s what we know:
Eating these insects offers high nutritional benefits with rich sources of protein, vitamins, and minerals. For example, six crickets provide twice as much protein as a chicken breast. These edible insects are highly sustainable, eco-friendly and help reduce environmental impact of food production, as well as offering innovative creative recipes based around insects.
These are the 16 approved insect species as food in Singapore:
- House Cricket
- Grasshopper
- Banded Cricket
- Common Field Cricket
- Black / Field Cricket / Two-Spotted Cricket
- African Migratory Locust
- American Desert Locust
- Lesser Mealworm
- Western Honey Bee / European Honey Bee
- Mealworm
- Superworm Beetles / Giant Mealworm Beetle / King Mealworm
- Lesser Wax Moth
- Silkworm / Silk Moth
- Greater Wax Moth
- Giant Rhino Beetle Grub
- Whitegrub
Local chefs, food companies, and restaurants must follow a strict safety framework to be able to market these insects. These requirements include controlled farming, safety evaluations, clear labelling, food testing, and more.
Certainly, there is a growing acceptance and openness to edible insects in Singapore. Of course, they make a great unconventional food to try in the city. Would you dare to try insect-infused dishes in Singapore?
SEE MORE: 10 Of The Most Popular Food Dishes To Try In Singapore This Season