Value of insects-based food and feed in the old world and prospects for adaption in the western cultures

Insects are important because of their diversity, ecological role and influence on agriculture, human health, and natural resources. The demand for affordable, alternative, and sustainable protein sources is surging globally due to the increase in the world’s population, which is projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050. Ten thousand years ago hunters and gatherers ate bugs to survive. They probably learned what was edible from observing what animals ate, according to Dr. Gene DeFoliart, a Professor Emeritus of Entomology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With obvious economic and environmental advantages, the edible insects are in the spotlight recent years due to their enormous potential for food and feed. Also, the edible insects are a well-appreciated food source (entomophagy) in many parts of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. More than 2,300 species of 18 insect Orders have been reported as edible, of which 5 Orders are with at least 100 records. The old-world culture emphasis on the delicacy of insect-based food from their childhoods as a result they enjoy edible insects in their adult times too. However, the western cultures specially generation-Z tend to enjoy novel products based on edible insects and gravitate toward healthier and sustainably raised foods. However, there are edible insect safety concern in the new-world. The safety risks of eating insects highly depend on the insect species, the environment they are produced or collected. A thorough assessment of food safety hazards will help to establish appropriate hygiene and manufacturing practices, which remains a challenge for the sector.