From crickets to grasshopper : Singapore approves THESE 16 insect species as food ; Check List
Singapore : Have you ever tried grasshopper, superworm or crickets for your meals? Imagine having African migratory locust in your breakfast, superworm and mealworm as a protein-packed lunch and western honey bee with hot milk for dinner.
While this might sound odd to some, adventurous food enthusiasts would likely be eager to try these unique dishes at least once.
Singapore, with its vibrant culinary scene, is now the perfect destination for such gastronomic experimentation. This city-state, renowned for its innovative approach to food, welcomes adventurous eaters to explore new culinary frontiers. The inclusion of edible insects promises to add a unique twist to Singapore's already diverse menu, making it a haven for food enthusiasts eager to try something extraordinary.
As per the recent reports, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) recently approved the consumption of 16 different insect species. The approved insects include house cricket, banded cricket, common cricket, two-spotted cricket, African migratory locust, American desert locust, grasshopper, superworm, mealworm, lesser mealworm, lesser wax moth, greater wax moth, silk moth/silk worm, white grub, giant rhino beetle grub, and western honey bee.
The Food Authority of Singapore’s official circular reads, “With immediate effect, SFA will allow the import of insects and insect products belonging to species that have been assessed to be of low regulatory concern.”
Notably, several studies of 2024 identified at least 2205 insect species, consumed across 128 countries globally. Among continents, Asia has the highest number of edible insects (932 species), followed by North America (mainly Mexico) and Africa.
Edible insects are valued for their high nutritional content, including protein, vitamins, and minerals, and are seen as a sustainable food source.
- With inputs from agencies
