Pet Food Processing - May 2023 - 35

INGREDIENTS
insects
edible
Pet food processors are expanding their ingredient
options by adding insects to the menu.
By Donna Berry | petfoodprocessing@sosland.com
It's been 25 years since Julieta Ramos-Elorduy, a professor
with the Institute of Biology at the National University
of Mexico in Mexico City, published " Creepy Crawly
Cuisine: The Gourmet Guide to Edible Insects. " With
recipes such as batter-fried dragonflies, stink bug pate and
wasp salad, she had hoped to turn US consumers on to
eating insects, a sustainable source of protein common to
cultures in most other parts of the world. Unfortunately,
the practice of humans eating insects - anthropo-entomophagy
- in America has not taken off, mostly due to
the " ick " factor. For pets, however, there is appeal.
" Pets eat insects when they are in the backyard, "
said Cynthia Dunston Quirk, founder, Scout & Zoe's,
Anderson, Ind. " Pet owners may be grossed out by that,
but that's how I had the idea to begin researching insects
for treat ingredients. "
Scout & Zoe's created jerky for canines using black soldier
fly larvae (BSFL) in 2019. That's when the Association
of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) was first
introduced to BSFL as a potential dog food ingredient.
In August 2021, AAFCO voted to approve its use in adult
dog food, joining approved use in salmonid, poultry and
swine feed. Currently, BSFL is the only insect product that
has successfully gone through the AAFCO ingredient definition
process. Usage for felines is under review.
" A lot of research was invested in determining the
best insect for the job, " said Suzanne van den Eshof, director
of marketing and business development, Protix,
Dongen, the Netherlands. " The black soldier fly proves
superior to other insects in many ways. Its larvae contain
more nutrients than the larvae of other insects because
the mature insect does not eat, and has to live off
these accumulated reserves. The black soldier fly also
has a voracious appetite and is able to convert feedstuff
effectively. This supports a circular food chain that exploits
organic waste streams that would otherwise be
unused. Moreover, its brief life cycle allows large-scale
and long-term production. "
While BSFL may be the most commonly used insect
in pet food, other insects are being used in the United
States and abroad. Jiminy's, Berkeley, Calif., for example,
works with crickets and grubs.
Sustainable messaging
When sourcing protein from smaller animals, less land
and water is used, explained Anne Carlson, founder and
chief executive officer of Jiminy's. This makes insects
very sustainable sources of protein.
" Grubs and crickets are an amazingly efficient food
source, as they take up a fraction of the acres required
by a cattle feedlot, " Carlson said. " Water usage is similar.
Insects require a fraction of the amount needed by cattle
or chickens. The delivery system itself prevents waste
too, so we're getting mileage out of every drop of water. "
www.petfoodprocessing.net | May 2023 | PET FOOD PROCESSING 35
Aside from providing
insect ingredients
to the pet food
sector, Ÿnsect is now
venturing into the pet
food business with its
own brand: Sprÿng.
Sprÿng by Ÿnsect
http://www.petfoodprocessing.net
Pet Food Processing - May 2023

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