We’ve all heard claims insects could be on the menu in the future – but could crawlies could make it into cattle feed in the not so far future?
One UK ag student has asked just that and explored the public’s attitude towards insects as a food source…for their food.
22-year-old Harper Adams student Tom Evans explored UK consumers’ perception of insect protein as an animal feed and human food source.
“I started this project because in 2050 the population is going to be nine billion people, so something needs to change so that we can all eat,” he said.
Insects can feed on anything, there is huge scope for feeding our food waste to insects, which, in turn, will become an important source of animal feed.
“The idea to look at insects came from something that I saw on TV around three or four years ago where insects were being seen as a possible future solution to food shortages, and I’ve been keeping an eye on it ever since.
“Last year, I went to a conference in Berlin called INSECTA and it was about insect production and using insects for animal food and for human consumption.
“I’d previously only heard about using it for human consumption; I hadn’t realised that it could be used for animal feed as well, which was heavily emphasised at the conference. So when I came home, I knew that I had to do my dissertation and I knew that I was going to do it on insects because I found them interesting.”
The research
To research the issue, Tom created and shared a questionnaire with around 30 questions.
He used the responses to create a food neophobia score which rated each participants’ aversion to eating new things.
He said he would have also liked to have carried out a sensory panel but didn’t have enough time.
“I worked with a sample of 427 respondents for my survey and, despite some mixed reviews, overall the perception was positive,” he said.
People don’t necessarily know the diet that the animals have consumed while they were alive. When I asked how they felt about eating meat that had been fed an insect-based diet, the respondents were mostly fine with it.
“Quite interestingly, when the respondents expressed being fine with consuming animal products who had been fed insects, many weren’t aware of what it’d be otherwise.
“I think insects definitely provide a future solution to traditional protein feed sources, such as soya.”
Findings
Tom’s findings were that consumers were supportive of the idea, particularly if they felt it had environmental benefits. However, they preferred to be a step removed from the insect.
“The feedback in relation to food consumption was that most people wouldn’t eat insects if they were whole – if they are visible – which is understandable,” he said.
My sample indicated there was mixed acceptance for insect protein in foods. This is when insects are milled and mixed into a sort of flour that can be used as an ingredient in other products, such as flapjacks.
“The majority of participants were willing to include them in their diet if they were deemed better for the environment – more sustainable, less greenhouse emissions, smaller carbon footprint – as long as they couldn’t see the insect parts in a product. But the sample studies also indicated they would never replace insects for meat.
“Insects can feed on anything, there is huge scope for feeding our food waste to insects which in turn will become an important source of animal feed.
“Because it’s a relatively new topic, there has been some research in other European countries but there’s not been a lot done in the UK.”
