Posted on 02/10/2023 5:35:29 PM PST by nickcarraway
PARIS — Beetleburgers could soon be helping to feed the world, according to new research. The creepy crawlers’ larvae — better known as mealworms — could act as a meat alternative to alleviate hunger worldwide. The process uses a fraction of the land and water and emits a smaller carbon footprint in comparison of traditional farming.
To make this a reality, French biotech company Ynsect is planning a global network of insect farms, including nurseries and slaughterhouses. A pilot plant has already been been set up at Dole in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comte region of France.
Unlike the livestock industry, where rearing is typically separate, this entire bug-based operation is under one roof.
“We are in full control of the chain of production. That gives us strength in terms of quality, security and safety,” says Benjamin Armenjon, general manager of Ynsect, according to a statement from SWNS.
Robot arms and automated conveyor belts transport stacks of red trays in every direction. They are are filled with billions of Tenebrio molitor beetle larvae. The dried critters are more than 50 percent protein and rich in fiber and fats as well.
They can be turned into protein powders, shakes, burgers, cereal bars, and even cooking oils at a fraction of the environmental cost of traditional farming. For every one kilogram of protein, Ynsect uses 98 percent less land and emits 40 times less carbon than beef. It also uses 40 times less water than pork production.
The mealworms are fed byproducts from wheat processing. Mixed with sugar, the beetles supposedly taste just like real meat. They could also become alternatives to sausages or chicken nuggets.
The firm is experimenting with optimal conditions for mass production — such as food, temperature, and humidity — at its Paris headquarters.
Ynsect researchers are also analyzing nutritional content and the potential of using other insects. A bigger factory is opening in Amiens later this year. It will manufacture 200,000 tons of insect-based foods a year, making it the world’s biggest insect farm.
The ambitious project will bring costs down to compete with rivals churning out soy and veggie burgers.
ground mealworm powder Insect derived meal from Ynsect.
Estimates project that the human population will reach almost 10 billion by 2050. Meat is basically protein, fat, and water. There is growing demand for resource-intensive, animal-based products. However, food insecure regions are in desperate need of more options.
Researchers believe climate change will have significant implications for diet and nutrition in the future. Eating insects has become a trending topic because of the increasing cost of animal protein, as well as the associated environmental issues.
Consuming cows, pigs, and sheep requires large amounts of food, water, and land. Beetles, on the other hand, are edible, nutritious, and much more sustainable. In many countries, munching on them fills people with revulsion. Some manufacturers are selling cooked mealworms as crunchy, salty snacks, but acceptance is not widespread.
Ynsect makes chemical fertilizers for plants, pet food, and farm feeds for pigs and chickens. However, mealworms were approved for human consumption in the European Union in 2021. The company expects the market to grow rapidly in the coming years.
farm in Amiens, France. In December, the United Kingdom announced a $19 million competition to find low-emission ways to produce food. Insects may be a large part of the solution.
“Insect protein is just going to grow in terms of the acceptance of it and how many people eat it – the market will grow and develop,” says Olivia Champion of Entec Nutrition, an insect-based animal feed company in the U.K.
Success will depend in large part on the form in which people consume the insect-based food, Champion adds.
whole mealworms, for instance. Ynsect believes with enough education, cultural attitudes will shift over time. Armenjon sees insects as part of an alternative meat ecosystem, with some people eating lab-grown meat and others sticking to plant-based alternatives. However, he hopes some will choose insect-based foods.
“There are vegan people, flexitarians, vegetarians, meat lovers – this is fine, we don’t want to change people,” Armenjon tells SWNS.
The firm is experimenting with optimal conditions for mass production — such as food, temperature, and humidity — at its Paris headquarters.
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they seem to be under the delusion that it is a supply problem rather than demand
Cockroach Cluster.
At least that's what my father said at the time.
And in the third world, the meat is local.
But this is about essentially big business making money. So poor Africans, instead of being taught how to raise chickens or even introducing cuys or rabbits that they can raise in a small plot, are going to be fed with processed bugs sold to them by a French company.
the possibility of these insects carrying disease has not been investigated.
And then you face the “YUK” factor: People in poorer countries will not eat unfamiliar foods or food traditionally forbidden by custom (hence the joke MREs are meals rejected by Ethiopians.).
I know our local Africans had a taboo against eating shrimp and crayfish.
And I wonder: Are mealworms halal? Grasshoppers and locusts are, but there is a question about mealworms.
My daughter in law just got a halal approval for her organic rice, so she could export it to Muslim countries. So one does wonder about this.
As per the decision, which cited the scientific opinion of the European Food Safety Authority, the additive is safe to use in a whole range of products, including but not limited to cereal bars, biscuits, pizza, pasta-based products, and whey powder.
Back in August 2021, the European Food Safety Authority concluded that “frozen and dried formulations from whole house crickets” are “safe under the proposed uses and use levels.” The officials noted, however, that the insects may trigger allergic reactions in some consumers. Eating bugs should be the ‘new norm’, WaPo claims.
EU regulations state that adult crickets have to first undergo a 24-hour fasting period so that they “discard their bowel content.” After that, the insects are frozen, washed, thermally processed, have their oil extracted and ground into powder.
Any foods containing this novel additive will have to bear “appropriate” labels.
On top of crickets, the European Commission also approved earlier this month the larvae of the Alphitobius diaperinus, known as the lesser mealworm, for human consumption. While part of traditional cuisines in some Asian countries, the use of insects as food is still relatively novel to Europe.
Proponents insist that insects could become a major source of animal protein while reducing humanity’s carbon footprint. Insect farms are believed to be much more eco-friendly than traditional animal husbandry. Insects are also being touted as a more affordable alternative to meat.
https://www.rt.com/news/570342-european-commission-edible-crickets/
Maybe they are Jewish?
Make sure you get your girl some treats she will not soon forget.
I have to call this what it is:
BEETLE ABUSE.
These small and helpless creatures have no way to defend themselves from suffering painful deaths. Before long they will be on the ENDANGERED LIST.
Your small contribution of $35 wiill help us defend them and just $50 will get you an attractive canvas bag with pictures of your favorite beetles. Let the world know you care: Order two or more at reduced prices.....yada-yada-yada....
And how about the poor crickets???
Starved for 24 hours then frozen to death!!!
Its horrendous!!! Despicable!!!
Hopefully peta will begin rescuing them and freeing them!
Pop Hates The Beatles - Allan Sherman
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jj-2Tcuzy0I
Gross. About 10 years ago, my kids knew some kids whose parents made food with insect parts. I imagine those parents are happy about this idea. I’d rather starve.
LOL! On that page there is an ad for weight loss. Coincidence I am sure/s
These are going to make people chronically sick and malnourished.
Chitin will cause severe gi tract problems long term. Anyone with shellfish allergies could be in serious trouble. It will still cause problems and inflammation and digestive problems in everyone else, as it doesn’t break down in the human gut. Insect protein does not have several amino acids meat does. You will become deficient in these critical amino acids if this replaces animal meat in your diet.
Parts is parts.
You want flies with that?
I’m waiting for the shet burgers Biden is readying for each of us.
When the “elite” start serving it at their “conferences”, I’ll take a second look at it. Actually, no I will not.
Let them eat the bugs and leave me my beef, venison, chicken, and pork.
The new “they shall eat bugs and be happy” narrative is for the peons. Those that make the rules will still eat the beef and the “apples and milk” for it helps them think and create rules for the rest of us to live by.
Hard pass for me!
“Before we shift to eating bugs to “help feed the world”, how about our government first quit paying farmers to keep land fallow. Evidently we can grow more food than we need.”
____
People do not realize how much money the government pays farmers not to grow crops. It’s a big money maker.
No cap.
Beyond and other fake meats are FAILING. Gonna take an acft of Congress to stop America’s love of beef. FBI/DOJ will be raiding blackmarket cattle ranches.
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