Companies selling insects as food in limbo over SFA approval delay

Funding woes, lack of incentives make it tough for the insect protein industry

- Cheryl Tan

Frustrations are mounting among companies that are looking to sell insects as food, with some mulling over business closure, as the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) delays its approval for the sale of these species for human consumption.

In April 2023, SFA said that 16 species of insects including crickets, silkworms and grasshoppers - will receive the green light for consumption in the second half of 2023, given that the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation has promoted their benefits as a sustainable form of protein.

Crickets are like a superfood full of protein, vitamins, minerals and fibre.

As at Jan 19, SFA has not given the approval. The European Union and countries such as Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Thailand allow the consumption of certain insect species.

The Straits Times asked SFA for the reason behind the delay, when the approval can be expected, and if SFA will be extending support to affected businesses.

In reply, a spokeswoman said the agency is finalising the implementation details and "will announce the date of effect in due course".

"We are also aware of some interest from food business operators on the import of insect and insect products as food and will continue to engage them to provide relevant assistance," she added.

Industry players that had started gearing up in 2023 for local product launches are now finding themselves in limbo, with some considering exiting the business altogether.

Currently, there are at least four companies in the insect protein space in Singapore.

Mr Christopher Leow, chief executive and co-founder of Singapore-based Future Protein Solutions, which was founded in 2019, initially wanted to test the local market to see how receptive Singaporeans would be to consuming insects like crickets.