How mealworms could help save the world

By Mark Waghorn via SWNS

Mealworms could soon help to feed the world, according to new research.

The creepy crawlies' larvae can be served up as a meat alternative to alleviate hunger, say scientists.

The process uses a fraction of land and water and emits a tiny carbon footprint compared to traditional farming.

A global network of insect farms - including nurseries and slaughterhouses - is being planned by a French biotech company.

A pilot plant has already been set up at Dole in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comte region.

Unlike the livestock industry where rearing is typically separate, the entire operation is under one roof.

Benjamin Armenjon, general manager of Ynsect, said: "We are in full control of the chain of production. That gives us strength in terms of quality, security and safety."

Robot arms and automated conveyor belts transport stacks of red trays in every direction, reports New Scientist.

They are filled with billions of Tenebrio molitor beetle larvae, commonly known as mealworms.

The dried critters are more than 50 percent protein and rich in fiber and fats.

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 one kilogram of protein, Ynsect uses 98 percent less land and emits 40 times less carbon than beef, and uses 40 times less water than pork.

The mealworms are fed on by-products from wheat processing.

Mixed with sugar, it is claimed they taste just like real meat. They could also be turned into sausages or chicken nuggets.

The firm is experimenting with optimal conditions for the produce - such as food,
temperature and humidity at its Paris HQ.

It is also analyzing nutritional content and the potential of other insects. A bigger factory is opening in Amiens later this year.

It will manufacture 200,000 tonnes 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 soya and veggie burgers.

The human population will reach almost 10 billion by 2050. Meat is basically protein, fat and water.

There is a growing demand for resource-intensive animal-based products. However, food-insecure regions are in desperate need of options.

Researchers believe climate change will have significant implications for diet and nutrition in the future.

Eating insects has become of interest 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. Creepy crawlies, on the other hand, are edible, nutritious, and much more sustainable.

In many countries munching 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.

But mealworms were approved for human consumption in the European Union in 2021. The company expects the market to grow rapidly in the coming years.

It hopes to open 15 such factories by 2030, including the world's largest insect farm - in Amiens, France.

In December, the UK announced a £16 million ($19.6m USD) competition to find low-emission ways to produce food. Insects will be a large part of the solution.

Olivia Champion, of Entec Nutrition, an insect-based animal feed company in the UK, said: "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."

Success will depend in large part on the form in which people consume the insect-based food, she said.

A burger with insect protein in it is likely to be more palatable to consumers than fried
whole mealworms, for instance.

Ynsect believes with enough education, cultural attitudes will shift over time.

Mr. Armenjon sees insects as part of an alternative meat ecosystem, with some people eating lab-grown meat and others sticking to plant-based alternatives.

But he hopes some will choose insect-based foods.

He added: "There are vegan people, flexitarians, vegetarians, meat lovers - this is fine, we don't want to change people."