Maybe it sounds weird but...
2 billions people are eating insects every day!
The human consumption of insects as food is called ENTOMOPHAGY.
Insects are already eaten in a lot of places around the world:
45 countries in Asia, 36 in Africa, 37 in South America.
In most cases in these countries insects have been eaten by man since prehistoric times and continue to be an item of the human nutrition in modern times.
45 countries in Asia, 36 in Africa, 37 in South America.
In most cases in these countries insects have been eaten by man since prehistoric times and continue to be an item of the human nutrition in modern times.
The United Nations and FAO are actively promoting entomophagy in the Western world,
to raise awareness around the food of the future.
to raise awareness around the food of the future.
Recently in Europe, also thanks to this campaign,
some countries have introduced insects in their food market.
some countries have introduced insects in their food market.
ICELAND
“Jungle Bar” is an icelandic protein bar made with dates,
sunflower, sesame, pumpkin seeds, chocolate and cricket flour.
On Kickstarter 648 backers pledged $27,806 to help bring this project to life.
FRANCE
Into the Auchan shopping center in Montpellier
the food of the future was offered to the customers.
People entering in the supermarket were invited
to taste an aperitif made with cricket or silkworm.
UNITED KINGDOM
In London there are three “insect restaurants”,
where Thai-inspired menues are served,
featuring classic dishes and traditional ways
of incorporating insects into unconventional and flavoursome creations.
And...what about Italy?
This year the Universal Exposition is hosted by Milan.
Its title is “Feeding the planet, energy for life”.
It should be a great opportunity for Italy to explore this topic
and increase the interest about it.
This year the Universal Exposition is hosted by Milan.
Its title is “Feeding the planet, energy for life”.
It should be a great opportunity for Italy to explore this topic
and increase the interest about it.
There are insects in the Future Food District at Expo 2015
BUT it’s not possible
to taste or buy them.
visitors can only see examples of food made with crickets or scorpions.
WHY THIS?
Italian law is unclear.
it defines as food every substance which is prepared for human consumption (REGOLAMENTO N. 178/2002). Insect are part of what is called “animal production” (REGOLAMENTO N. 834/2007) but they haven’t been used as food in the italian culture in the history, so today they can’t be insert into the italian market (NOTA DEL MINISTERO DELLA SALUTE).
Italian law is unclear.
it defines as food every substance which is prepared for human consumption (REGOLAMENTO N. 178/2002). Insect are part of what is called “animal production” (REGOLAMENTO N. 834/2007) but they haven’t been used as food in the italian culture in the history, so today they can’t be insert into the italian market (NOTA DEL MINISTERO DELLA SALUTE).
Beyond laws, WHAT DO ITALIANS THINK?
We have investigated the topic at Expo and using an online questionnaire.
We found out that common people are really curious about this topic
and they want to know more about it.
We found out that common people are really curious about this topic
and they want to know more about it.
OUR INTERVIEWS
was meant to select the most various target we could find.
was meant to select the most various target we could find.
Surprisingly, together with the picky ones who were disgusted,
there were lots of curious people, ready to taste new kind of food.
there were lots of curious people, ready to taste new kind of food.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
Curious people have a reason to exist.
Entomophagy topic is starting to be explored by some experts
like professor Roberto Valvassori, that we met at Expo,
and Giulia Maffei and Giulia Tacchini who organise conferences
and workshops about edible insects.
like professor Roberto Valvassori, that we met at Expo,
and Giulia Maffei and Giulia Tacchini who organise conferences
and workshops about edible insects.
SO NEXT TIME YOU WILL FIND A FLY IN YOUR SOUP,
ENJOY IT!
