Thursday, Mar 28, 2024 | Last Update : 03:58 PM IST

  Life   Food  16 Aug 2017  Insect based food to be introduced at stores in Switzerland soon

Insect based food to be introduced at stores in Switzerland soon

THE ASIAN AGE
Published : Aug 16, 2017, 2:06 pm IST
Updated : Aug 16, 2017, 2:06 pm IST

Switzerland revised its food safety laws to become the first European country to authorise insects for human consumption.

Mealworm is a larval form of mealworm beetle (Photo: AFP)
 Mealworm is a larval form of mealworm beetle (Photo: AFP)

Trying out new culinary delights is a passion for a lot of people all over the globe and enthusiasts also come up with new recipes to push the boundaries of experimental cooking. But while everyone seeks to create a unique platter, some people tend to take things to an extreme level.

A supermarket chain in Switzerland seems to be introducing a new trend for food lovers as it is bringing food made from insects to stores after revisions in the country’s food safety laws. While eating insects has been a practice in different parts of the world, the supermarket giant Coop is bringing burgers and insect balls made from mealworm which are known to be protein rich.

The new norms make Switzerland the first European country to authorise sale of insect based products for human consumption. It now allows crickets and grasshoppers to be used in food other than mealworms which are mealworm beetles in larval form which was previously used in animal feed.

The worms will be bred under strict supervision to make them safe for human consumption and the firm has submitted to inspections by authorities.

Insects are consumed by two billion people as a part of their diet and around 1900 species of insects are considered to be edible. Insects are already popular in China, Brazil, Mexico, Thailand and other parts of the world.

Tags: food, insect based food, insect burger