Have you tried eating silkworms or crickets for lunch? Imagine adding some crunchy grasshoppers to your fried rice instead of fried shrimp. Although it might sound weird to some, we bet foodies who love to experiment would definitely want to try these unique dishes at least once. In that case, Singapore is the perfect place for you. According to the latest reports, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) has approved 16 different types of insects as safe for human consumption. “With immediate effect, the SFA will allow the import of insects and insect products belonging to species that have been deemed of low regulatory concern,” the Singapore Food Authority said in a circular on Monday.
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According to a report by Channel News Asia (CNA), insects approved as food by the SFA include: House cricket, banded cricket, common cricket, two-spotted cricket, African migratory grasshopper, American sweet grasshopper, grasshopper, superworm, mealworm, small mealworm, small wax moth, large wax moth, silkworm/silkworm, whitegrub, giant rhinoceros beetle grub, and western honey bee,
The CNN report emphasised that when allowing insects “for human consumption or as animal feed”, the body informed that the production must be safe and hygienic and not “in the wild”. “Documentary evidence is required to show that the insects are reared in premises regulated by the competent authority,” the SFA said.
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According to the Straits Times, the announcement comes as a welcome boost to the food and beverage industry, which is now preparing to source insects from regulated farms in China, Thailand and Vietnam.
SFA further stated that to deal with these insects, strict safety regulations must be followed, both in kitchens and pre-packaged industries, including proper labelling about the source of the insects.
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The SFA also pointed out that insects outside the 16 approved species also need to be evaluated to ensure they are safe for consumption, reports the South China Morning Post.