The Singapore Food Authority (SFA) has approved 16 different species of insects for human consumption, Channel News Asia reported. Restaurants can now add insects such as crickets, locusts, mealworms, superworms and silkworms to their menus.
The Process of Granting Permission for Insect Consumption
The process of authorizing the consumption of insects began in October 2022. The SFA stated that those who want to import these species must meet certain conditions. It was also announced that the consumption safety of species other than the 16 approved insect species will be evaluated.
Product Labeling Requirement
The SFA has announced that companies selling packaged food containing insects must label their product packaging, a move aimed at enabling consumers to make informed choices.
Future Plans
The SFA began public consultation on the consumption of 16 insect species in 2022. It was announced in April 2023 that consumption of these species would be permitted, but the start date was later postponed to the first half of 2024.