Analysis

April 12, 2019

Bug bites: Are insects the new sushi?  

Edible insect companies are moving into the mainstream with supermarkets increasingly stocking their wares and investors pumping cash into insect farming startups like Ynsect and Protix. But can they overcome the "yuck factor"?


Maija Palmer

9 min read

“Urgh. I can’t. I’d have to close my eyes,” says a woman inching backwards from a bowl of pasta topped with mealworms. Edible insects is not everyone's cup of tea.

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Jimini's edible insects on top of pasta on offer at the Hello Tomorrow tech conference
Jimini's mealworms on top of pasta on offer at the Hello Tomorrow tech conference
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Image of burger where the meat has been made with edible insects
Germany's Bugfoundation makes burgers out of buffalo worms
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Image of athletes acting as brand ambassadors for edible insects brand Eat Grub
Eat Grub has enlisted athletes and adventurers as its brand ambassadors
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The black soldier fly is the key ingredient for Protix
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Image of chickens eating live insects
EU chickens are allowed to eat live bugs but not dead ones
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Image of a box of'Primordial' Oer eggs, where the chickens have been fed insects
'Primordial' Oer eggs are laid by chickens fed on insects
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