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

Abstract

The growing global population and expanding pet food market have heightened the demand for protein. Escalating costs and environmental concerns in traditional animal protein production have prompted a search for sustainable alternatives, where insect-based protein stands out due to its high nutritional content and eco-friendly credentials. To explore the commercial application of insect protein in existing human and pet foods, this study aims to profile and compare ultra-processed food products containing insect protein (insect protein-enriched foods) with equivalent traditional products. A global product audit was conducted in August 2023 drawing from both English-language and Chinese-language online retail portals. Nutritional content, ingredients list, and label information have been collected for insect protein-enriched foods for humans comprising flour, pasta, chips and energy bar; and for pets, primarily for dogs and cats. This data was statistically summarised and compared. Our research contributes to bridging existing knowledge gaps and providing a foundation for future research through a comprehensive audit of insect protein-enriched food products, offering potential benefits across academic, manufacturing, marketing, and policy-making domains.