INTERVIEW Alternative Proteins Magazine October 2025 51 INSECTS AS FOOD Consumer hesitation in Western markets stems from a cultural and familiarity gap, not a lack of viability. To build acceptance, the industry is focused on: • Transparent Communication: Demystifying production through open access to state-of-theart, hygienic facilities and clarifying that insects are farmed under strict EU food safety standards, not wild-harvested. • Strategic Integration: Introducing insect protein in familiar formats like pasta and protein bars, allowing consumers to benefit from its sustainability and nutrition without a cultural barrier. The narrative is not about replacing meat but about diversifying our protein sources with a sustainable option that is already consumed by billions globally. INSECTS FOR ANIMAL AND AQUAFEED Insects are the ancestral diet for poultry, fish, and swine. There is nothing new in seeing a worm serving as bait to catch a fish or about seeing a chicken eating a worm. Their integration into feed provides a sustainable, home-grown protein that improves animal health and reduces the environmental footprint of livestock production, all while strengthening EU feed sovereignty. INSECTS AS SOIL FERTILIZER Insect frass is a powerful, organic soil amendment that completes the circular economy model. It enriches soil health, promotes plant growth, and provides a sustainable alternative to conventional fertilizers. Insect farmers already work along with other livestock farmers, locally supplying to their own needs for animal feed and soil fertilizer. INSECTS IN PET FOOD Insect protein has rapidly emerged as a premium ingredient in pet food, valued for its high nutritional valPhoto: Freepik
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