The top ‘must haves’ for insect-based pet food are their pet must like the flavor, the food must offer nutritional benefits, labels must clearly state the food contains insect-based ingredients and these ingredients must be backed by science. Notably, 63% of surveyed pet owners said having their top priorities met would increase their likelihood of serving pet food made with insect protein.
Pet Technical Services Manager
ADM
Global demand for high-quality protein and sustainably sourced ingredients continues to rise, driven by consumer preferences, corporate initiatives and public policy. Insect-derived ingredients – like dried black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) – are increasingly being used in pet food formulations to satisfy pets’ dietary needs while contributing to the circular economy. Black soldier flies (Hermetia illucens) are powerful upcyclers with the ability to efficiently turn low-quality feedstock into premium-quality alternative sources of amino acids, fatty acids and other key nutritional components.
Agtech company Innovafeed is a leading producer of Hermetia illucens with a unique “industrial symbiosis” production model. Its indoor insect farms are strategically located alongside grain processing facilities to upcycle grain byproducts as feedstock for black soldier flies. In Decatur, Illinois, USA, Innovafeed has joined forces with ADM, a global leader in innovative solutions from nature, to leverage its corn processing plant. This co-location will eliminate the need to dry the feedstock and the trucks required for transport, reducing energy and fuel needs. Additionally, Innovafeed plans to use reclaimed heat and water from ADM’s facility as circular energy sources.
ADM also serves as Innovafeed’s exclusive North American distributor of Hilucia™ Protein and Oil ingredients for the pet food industry. Hilucia™ products deliver highly digestible essential amino acids; lauric acid, a medium chain triglyceride that is prevalent in coconut oil; over 50 unique bioactive peptides, small proteins with unique properties; and chitin, which acts as a dietary fiber.
DETERMINING SUITABILITY FOR PET DIETS
Dr. Maria R. C. de Godoy is a prominent researcher in the field of companion animal nutrition at the University of Illinois, with a specific focus on BSFL as an ingredient for dog and cat foods. Her trailblazing research, in collaboration with ADM and Innovafeed, recently investigated the protein quality of BSFL to determine if it is a nutritious substitution for other commonly used protein ingredients in pet food.
The first feeding trial measured the digestible indispensable amino acid score (DIAAS), which evaluates amino acid digestibility to assess protein quality. DIAAS values for Hilucia™ Protein were compared to scores for chicken meal, a high-quality, very common ingredient in pet food, and whole powdered egg, which is considered the gold standard for protein quality. Results demonstrated that Hilucia™ Protein is a suitable substitute for chicken meal in pet foods1.
In the second trial, dog diets were specially formulated to evaluate macronutrient digestibility of Hilucia™ Protein. The control diet was made with chicken meal, and two test diets included either 15% or 30% Hilucia™ Protein as a partial or complete substitution for chicken meal, respectively. Findings indicate that all three diets were well accepted by the dogs1. In addition, all of the diets had average fecal scores between 2 and 3, which is considered ideal. Notably, the 30% Hilucia™ diet resulted in the firmest stool, which is a highly desirable trait for pet parents1. Researchers also noted that macronutrient digestibility values were very similar between the three diets, again suggesting that Hilucia™ Protein performs very similarly to chicken meal in dog diets1.
INFLUENCING CONSUMER ACCEPTANCE
ADM and Innovafeed have also collaborated on a consumer study to understand pet parent perceptions of insect ingredients in pet food. This survey of U.S. dog and cat owners identified barriers and drivers to purchasing insect-based pet food, as well as the impact of consumer education on willingness to feed insect protein to their pets.
A key finding from the survey shows consumers can be educated to enhance their likelihood of serving pet food made with insect protein. Initially, only 12% reported being “completely likely,” while 43% expressed being “not likely at all” to feed their pets insect-based food2. When asked the question again after receiving educational statements about insects, covering nutrition, safety, ethics and environmental benefits, 42% of pet owners became more willing2.
Additionally, pet parents emphasized that nutrition remains their top priority when selecting pet food, though ethical production is also a significant concern. The top “must haves” for insect-based pet food are their pet must like the flavor, the food must offer nutritional benefits, labels must clearly state the food contains insect-based ingredients and these ingredients must be backed by science2. Notably, 63% of surveyed pet owners said having their top priorities met would increase their likelihood of serving pet food made with insect protein2. The most important product claims for pet parents considering an insect-based pet food are its high protein content and support for digestive health and healthy aging2.
ADVANCING INNOVATION THROUGH COLLABORATION
As the industry forges ahead with alternative ingredients like insect proteins, it is important that knowledge and discoveries are shared to collectively take the next step forward. For example, ADM’s new Pet Nutrition Institute is a free, online resource for scientific research and consumer trend reports. Currently featuring insights on plant-based proteins for pet products, this library will be continuously updated to spotlight groundbreaking innovations and key insights advancing the pet nutrition industry. Through partnerships with universities and researchers across the globe, ADM seeks to develop and promote investment in research that improves the lives of pets and their owners.
The Pet Sustainability Coalition is another useful resource. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to creating a more sustainable pet industry by providing assessment tools, strategic support, accreditation and events. Members of the coalition include consumer brands, suppliers, pet trade media, retail stores, packaging companies and more.
Serving as a bridge between industry and academia is the Center for Environmental Sustainability through Insect Farming (CEIF). CEIF strives to expand the production of insect ingredients for animal feed, pet and human food, with support from the National Science Foundation, three research universities, major ingredient suppliers like ADM, leading pet food companies, insect farming pioneers such as Innovafeed, and many others.
Cooperative efforts led by CEIF, the Pet Sustainability Coalition, ADM and other like-minded organizations will help accelerate widescale adoption of emerging and alternative ingredients, and aid progress towards a circular economy.
References
1. Maria R. C. de Godoy, Ph.D., Associate Professor at the Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois. Unpublished research.
2. ADM Outside Voice℠, Pet Parent Perceptions of Insect Protein in Pet Food, 2024
About Dr. Jennifer Adolphe
Dr. Jennifer Adolphe is responsible for providing technical support, nutrition training, formulation services and new product development for ADM’s customers in the pet food industry. She graduated with her Ph.D. in companion animal nutrition from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. She has a Master of Science degree in human nutrition and previously worked as a registered dietitian. Dr. Adolphe has more than 20 years of experience in both human and companion animal nutrition and previously held positions at two leading pet food companies in Canada. In addition to her role at ADM, she is an adjunct professor at the University of Saskatchewan and is pursuing a Master of Business Administration through Penn State University.
