"With an increasing global population and a rise in per-capita meat consumption in developing countries, there is a need to investigate alternative sources of protein for use in animal feed. For generations, a variety of insects have been a valuable source of protein for both human consumption and animal feed across continents other than Europe.

As consumption habits shift to pork, chicken and fish, insects have the potential to be utilised more effectively as a natural ingredient in high-protein feed."

"El proyecto PROteINSECT está coordinado por la Agencia Británica para la Investigación en Materia de Alimentos y Medio Ambiente (FERA) y cuenta también con la participación de otras instituciones de China, Bélgica y África. Su objetivo es que la actual legislación pueda cambiarse para permitir la utilización de insectos como fuente de proteínas para la alimentación animal aunque en la actualidad está prohibido dentro de la legislación europea."

"Novel protein sources (like insects, algae, duckweed, and rapeseed) are expected to enter the European feed and food market as replacers for animal-derived proteins. However, food safety aspects of these novel protein sources are not well-known. The aim of this article is to review the state of the art on the safety of major novel protein sources for feed and food production, in particular insects, algae (microalgae and seaweed), duckweed, and rapeseed. Potential hazards for these protein sources are described and EU legislative requirements as regard to food and feed safety are explained. Potential hazards may include a range of contaminants, like heavy metals, mycotoxins, pesticide residues, as well as pathogens. Some safety aspects of novel protein sources are intrinsic to the product, but many potential hazards can also be due to production methods and processing conditions. These aspects should be considered in advance during product development. European law is unclear on several issues regarding the use of novel protein sources in food and feed products. For food product applications, the most important question for food producers is whether or not the product is considered a novel food. One of the major unclarities for feed applications is whether or not products with insects are considered animal-derived products or not. Due to the unclarities in European law, it is not always clear which Regulation and maximum levels for contaminants apply. For market introduction, European legislation should be adjusted and clarified."

"FANCY having a bug-patty burger for a meal? It might sound gross, but bugs and creepy crawlies may be the ultimate solution to reducing world hunger."

"PROteINSECT an EU-funded project co-ordinated in the UK by FERA (The Food and Environment Research Agency) is working hard to make changes within the current legislation."