ISSUE FOCUS Alternative Proteins Magazine April 2025 31 streams into high-value outputs. They can be effectively reared on a diverse range of substrates, including pre-consumer food processing residues, brewers' spent grains, certain agricultural by-products, and other regionally approved materials according to feed safety regulations. This bioconversion process yields not only protein-rich biomass and energy-dense oils but also frass—the larval excrement mixed with substrate residue. Frass is recognised as a valuable co-product, functioning as a natural biofertiliser rich in organic matter and plant nutrients (N, P, K). Its application can enhance soil health, stimulate microbial activity, and support crop productivity, thereby effectively contributing to circular resource flows within agri-food systems. Compared to conventional soybean cultivation or wild fish harvesting for fishmeal, BSFL production generally requires significantly less land and water resources and helps alleviate pressure on marine ecosystems. Consequently, insect protein is increasingly considered a key component of sustainable agriculture. PROCESSING, PRODUCT FORMATS, AND REGULATION BSFL can be utilised in several formats within poultry diets: live larvae primarily for enrichment; whole dried larvae; or more commonly in largescale feed production, as defatted meal providing concentrated protein, and extracted oil supplying energy and functional lipids. Processing methods, including drying techniques (e.g., oven, microwave) and defatting procedures, can influence the final nutritional profile and storage stability. Globally, regulatory bodies are progressively establishing frameworks to support the safe and effective use of insect protein in animal feed. Notable approvals, such as those by the EU and UK for use in poultry feed, and GRAS (Generally Recognised As Safe) status for specific BSFL ingredients in the US, are facilitating wider market adoption. This regulatory progress helps build industry confidence.4 Consumer acceptance studies generally indicate openness towards meat and egg products derived from animals fed insect-based diets, particularly when information regarding the associated sustainability and welfare benefits is provided. While the scaling of industrial BSFL production continues, production costs are becoming increasingly competitive as technology matures and supply chains expand. Potential economic advantages for poultry producers include improved FCR, potentially reduced costs associated with health interventions, and the ability to market products with enhanced sustainability credentials. FEEDFLOW: INTEGRATING NUTRITION WITH PRECISION WELFARE TOOLS In the UK, the FeedFlow project, led by Flybox®, represents an initiative exploring how insect-based nutrition can be integrated with advanced technologies to simultaneously improve bird welfare, performance, and sustainability metrics in poultry production. Supported by Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme and delivered by Innovate UK, the project brings together a consortium of partners including universities (Chester, Nottingham Trent), commercial farms (Courteenhall, Menchine), construction specialists (Clarke Group), and AI technology providers (FLOX). The project centres on the integration of fortified BSFL into poultry diets as a rapid-response nutritional tool, supporting gut health, immune function, and behavioural enrichment. This is combined with FLOX360, an AI-powered computer vision platform that continuously monitors flock behaviour—tracking distribution, activity levels, and early signs of welfare concerns such as huddling, aggression, or reduced mobility. This data stream enables precision farming approaches, allowing producers to make timely, targeted adjustments to environmental conditions (e.g., ventilation, lighting) or management practices, and facilitates early detection of potential health issues. This supports a shift from reactive to proactive flock management.
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