Insects are a protein source that researchers and industry are exploring. Did you ever wonder why? And how are insects farmed? What is the timeline for growing insects? How can we consume it?

In this article, InnoProtein provides you with some answers and a visually appealing infographic to better understand the world of insects as a food source.

Remember to download the infographic by clicking the button above! You can find it just below the title.

 

Why Insects?

Insects are a valid protein source that could positively contribute to the urgent global challenges of placing on the market more sustainable protein options, assuring food security and reducing waste.

 

A reason is Sustainability

Insects could be a more sustainable protein option on the market because of lower resources consumption compared to livestock[1].  As most people know, the animals we raise for food – and the way we raise them – deplete many of our planet’s natural resources.  At the same time, the demand for protein is rising as the global population grows.

To understand the scale of the environmental impact, consider this: raising animals for food requires large amounts of feed, which in turn drives much of global agriculture. As a result, agriculture accounts for about 70–85% of the world’s water use and around 30% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In the EU alone, reducing the consumption of meat, dairy, and eggs could lower GHG emissions by an estimated 25–40%[2]. On top of that, food demand is expected to grow by at least 70% by 2050[3], which means even greater pressure on the environment.

Insects, however, require far less land, water, and feed to raise, and they produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions[4]. As a result, they could help meet the growing demand for proteins while reducing the environmental burden.

Food Security and Reducing Food Waste

Europe is also facing other global challenges, such as food security and reducing waste. Insects can be a helpful ally in addressing both. They can support food security[5] by reducing the need to import protein-rich crops that are currently used to feed farm animals. Insects can also help improve local economies and provide a reliable protein source in regions where raising traditional livestock is difficult[6]. Furthermore, insects can be fed with selected organic waste from food production –  such as fruit and vegetable scraps, cereal by-products, and leftover grains – turning it into valuable food resources[7].

Insects – such as mealworms – can play an important role in creating a more sustainable food system by helping address global challenges like food security and reducing food waste. What many people may not are not yet aware is that insects authorized for human consumption in Europe are safe to eat, highly nutritious, and produced through controlled, hygienic processes with a well-understood life cycle[8].

 

Are insects safe to eat? And how are they farmed?

Insects authorised for human consumption in Europe are safe to eat. So far, only a few species have been approved based on sustainability and safety standards. These are evaluated by EFSA, the European Food Safety Authority. Since March 2019, the European Commission has begun approving specific insect species for human consumption under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 and listed in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470 [9].

In general, insects may provide a great variety in our diet, as a large number of species suitable for human consumption have been discovered around the world. Each species offers proteins with a complete aminoacidic profile, healthy fats and varies in its content of minerals and vitamins[10][11][12][13].

Insects have proven to be a high-quality food source, rich in protein and essential amino acids, with a fast reproduction rate – short life cycles mean a quicker supply of protein. Innoprotein is working on the farming cycles of two species that are commonly farmed for their protein-rich larvae: Mealworms (Tenebrio molitor) and Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens). Innoprotein uses controlled conditions such as temperature, humidity, CO2. Then when ready the  animal undergo pre-treatment (blanching, drying, and vacuum-sealing) for further use. Here some insights into how they are being farmed:

• Mealworms from eggs to harvest 3 months, they grow in trays with specific densities
• Black Soldier Fly growth from eggsto harvest in ~14-20 days and grow rapidly in optimised substrates.

 

References

[1] Ros-Baró, M., Casas-Agustench, P., Díaz-Rizzolo, D. A., Batlle-Bayer, L., Adrià-Acosta, F., Aguilar-Martínez, A., … & Bach-Faig, A. (2022). Edible insect consumption for human and planetary health: a systematic review. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(18), 11653.

[2] Westhoek, H., Lesschen, J. P., Rood, T., Wagner, S., De Marco, A., Murphy-Bokern, D., … & Oenema, O. (2014). Food choices, health and environment: Effects of cutting Europe’s meat and dairy intake. Global environmental change, 26, 196-205.

[3] Tilman, D., Balzer, C., Hill, J., & Befort, B. L. (2011). Global food demand and the sustainable intensification of agriculture. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences – PNAS, 108(50), 20260–20264. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1116437108

[4] Ros-Baró, M., Casas-Agustench, P., Díaz-Rizzolo, D. A., Batlle-Bayer, L., Adrià-Acosta, F., Aguilar-Martínez, A., … & Bach-Faig, A. (2022). Edible insect consumption for human and planetary health: a systematic review. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(18), 11653.

[5] FAO/Wur. 2012. Expert consultation meeting: assessing the potential of insects as food and feed in assuring food security. P. Vantomme, E. Mertens, A. van Huis & H. Klunder, eds. Summary report, 23–25 January 2012, Rome, FAO.

[6] Moruzzo, R., Mancini, S., & Guidi, A. (2021). Edible insects and sustainable development goals. Insects, 12(6), 557.

[7] Nalla, A. V., & Kumar, K. (2025). A comprehensive analysis for global food security and environmental sustainability using edible insects. European Journal of Nutrition & Food Safety, 17(1), 145–165. https://doi.org/10.9734/ejnfs/2025/v17i11626

[8] European Commission. (n.d.). Approval of insect as novel food. Food Safety. Retrieved May 7, 2025, from https://food.ec.europa.eu/food-safety/novel-food/authorisations/approval-insect-novel-food_en

[9] European Commission. (2019). Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/625 of 4 March 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to requirements for the entry into the Union of consignments of certain animals and goods intended for human consumption. Official Journal of the European Union, L 131, 18–30. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32019R0625

[10] Oonincx, D. G. A. B., & Finke, M. D. (2021). Nutritional value of insects and ways to manipulate their composition. Journal of insects as food and feed, 7(5), 639-660.

[11] Kosečková, P., Zvěřina, O., Pěchová, M., Krulíková, M., Duborská, E., & Borkovcová, M. (2022). Mineral profile of cricket powders, some edible insect species and their implication for gastronomy. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 107, 104340.

[12] Christensen, D. L., Orech, F. O., Mungai, M. N., Larsen, T., Friis, H., & Aagaard-Hansen, J. (2006). Entomophagy among the Luo of Kenya: a potential mineral source?. International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, 57(3-4), 198-203.

[13] Naseem, R., Majeed, W., Rana, N., Koch, E. B. D. A., & Naseem, M. R. (2021). Entomophagy: an innovative nutritional and economic navigational tool in race of food security. International Journal of Tropical Insect Science, 41(3), 2211-2221.