There are people starving all over the world. Eating insects could help alleviate this problem. Researchers at The University of Adelaide are researching the potential for developing edible insects as a major food industry. Roasted crickets and ants, cricket energy bars, and mealworm cookies are among the new foods being developed.
Postdoctoral Fellow, Dr Anna Crump, who has been working on this project with her associates at The University of Adelaide, says there is an interest in investigating the attitudes of consumers towards eating insects while also evaluating taste preferences and the willingness of people to buy insect foods. Food neophobia, which is a reluctance to consume novel or new foods, is a concern. However, many people have proven to be receptive to the idea of trying edible insects.
Associate Professor Kerry Wilkinson has said that edible insects could turn out to play a major role in dealing with global food security. This is significant particularly in view of concerns about climate change, increasing population across the world, and a scarcity of agricultural land.
Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT) reports that in some European countries insect food products are already on sale. In fact it appears a major new food trend has the potential to develop around insects. Insects offer an interesting consideration as a major food source.
