Eating small bugs could become big business but a lack of proper UK legislation is hindering growth of the industry, a food organisation has said.
Woven Network, a trade body representing the edible insect businesses, says bug-based foods have made more than £6 million ($7.8m) in revenue in the UK in the past decade.
The groups predicts the sector could reach an annual revenue of more than £112m by 2025 if regulation issues are resolved.
“Insects are a very sustainable, low impact, highly nutritious alternative source of protein to meat,” said Nick Rousseau, a director at Woven Network.
“The UK consumer should be able to choose what they want to do in terms of their source of protein. At the moment, they can’t choose insects.
“This is the barrier to innovation that we’re now facing, as a result of Brexit and novel food changes.”
Insects are high in protein, need little space and are a low-carbon source of nutrition because of their small requirements for food.
While eating bugs such crickets and mealworms are more commonplace in Asia, edible insect industries in western Europe and the US have grown in recent years.
Meanwhile, UK traders have complained of hurdles in trading, particularly in the aftermath of Brexit.
Confusion over trade laws has left businesses unsure of how to sell bugs as food and ministers are being asked to update food standards legislation to stop British traders falling behind their European Union counterparts.
A decision on the matter from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) is expected in June, which may allow domestic trade on a temporary basis.
Until then, bug-based businesses are in limbo as local food standards officials can prevent companies from selling insect produce if they believe it is not safe to eat.
Difficulties for edible insect traders began in 2018 when the EU introduced food regulations classing edible insects as a “novel food”, meaning that they had to undergo new safety checks, including in the UK.
Temporary arrangements were discussed by the bloc to allow sales of bug-based foods while permanent trading applications were lodged.
But when the UK officially left the EU in early 2020, no transition for edible insects had been agreed to, and while traders on the continent have since been given approval, UK traders have not.
Before the new EU food regulations, people were able to eat and trade insect products in the UK, and were doing so “entirely legitimately over many years”.
“We have total confidence they are safe. The FAO, the global Food and Agriculture Organisation says they’re safe, so long as your farming and product development practices do not introduce contaminants or other risks. So inherently, they’re edible,” said Mr Rousseau.
Michael Wight, head of food safety policy at the FSA, said: “We are aware that edible insects, as part of the alternative proteins market, can offer benefits, most notably for the environment.”
“We are working hard to support and advise businesses and trade bodies so that they can provide high-quality dossiers and evidence as part of their novel foods applications.”
Family reunited
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was born and raised in Tehran and studied English literature before working as a translator in the relief effort for the Japanese International Co-operation Agency in 2003.
She moved to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies before moving to the World Health Organisation as a communications officer.
She came to the UK in 2007 after securing a scholarship at London Metropolitan University to study a master's in communication management and met her future husband through mutual friends a month later.
The couple were married in August 2009 in Winchester and their daughter was born in June 2014.
She was held in her native country a year later.
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Visit Abu Dhabi culinary team's top Emirati restaurants in Abu Dhabi
Yadoo’s House Restaurant & Cafe
For the karak and Yoodo's house platter with includes eggs, balaleet, khamir and chebab bread.
Golden Dallah
For the cappuccino, luqaimat and aseeda.
Al Mrzab Restaurant
For the shrimp murabian and Kuwaiti options including Kuwaiti machboos with kebab and spicy sauce.
Al Derwaza
For the fish hubul, regag bread, biryani and special seafood soup.
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Translated from the French and Creole by Linda Coverdale
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The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
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Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
