Regulating edible insects: the challenge of addressing food security, nature conservation, and the erosion of traditional food culture

Abstract

Entomophagy is a common practice in many regions of the world but there are few examples of national regulations that govern insects for human consumption. Where entomophagy is not common, the current regulatory discourse focuses primarily on food safety and consumer protection. In countries where insects contribute to local diets, nature conservation is often an issue of high importance. This paper investigates the variation in the ways in which entomophagy and its related activities are currently regulated in Thailand, Switzerland, Kenya and Canada. Authoritative bodies who are responsible and the roles they play are discussed. Insects have only recently entered into the sustainable food dialogue, but have not yet been incorporated into policy documents and have been largely omitted from regulatory frameworks. Moreover, even in nations where there is a tradition of consuming a variety of insect species, they do not appear explicitly in dietary guidelines. Although food safety is a major concern, it can undermine the importance of nature conservation, traditional food culture, food security, and potential economic development. Thus, entomophagy should be viewed holistically and development of future legislation must take into consideration its multi-dimensional nature.