The commercial application of insect protein in existing human food products: A product audit based on online resources

Abstract

Background: The growing global population and expanding pet food market have contributed to the increasing demand for protein. Escalating costs and environmental con-cerns regarding traditional animal protein production have prompted a search for sus-tainable alternatives, and insect protein has received considerable attention due to its high nutritional content and eco-friendly credentials. This study aims to examine how available insect-based protein sources compare with other protein sources. Methods: To explore the commercial application of insect protein in existing human foods, this study aims to profile and compare ultra-processed food products containing insect protein (insect protein-enhanced foods) with equivalent traditional products. A global product audit was conducted in August 2023 drawing from English-language online retail portals to determine the product formats using insect protein and statistically compare their nutritional content with products enhanced more traditional proteins. Results: Results show that insect protein has been utilised in the development of four categories of ultra-processed food products: flour/powder, pasta/noodle, starch-based snacks (chips, crackers, and cookies), and energy bars. Both flour/powder and pasta/noo-dle enriched by insect protein demonstrate comparable protein content to traditional pro-tein enhancers, highlighting insects' potential as robust protein fortifiers. Due to the high fat content of insect protein, food items with less demanding flavour requirements may offer more suitable platforms for integrating insect protein as an ingredient. Conclusions: Despite its potential, high fat content limits the use of insect protein in food products. Innovation is needed to overcome this barrier and expand its application. Our research contributes to bridging existing knowledge gaps and providing a foundation for future research through a comprehensive audit of insect protein-enhanced food prod-ucts, paving the way for future exploration in various domains.