Insects as food

Insects as food or edible insects are insect species used for human consumption. Over 2 billion people are estimated to eat insects on a daily basis.^[1] Globally, more than 2,000 insect species are considered edible, though far fewer are discussed for industrialized mass production and regionally authorized for use in food.^[2][3][4][5] Many insects are highly nutritious, though nutritional content depends on species and other factors such as diet and age.^[6][7] Insects offer a wide variety of flavors and are commonly consumed whole or pulverized for use in dishes and processed food products such as burger patties, pasta, or snacks.^[8][9] Like other foods, there can be risks associated with consuming insects, such as allergic reactions.^[10] As commercial interest in insects as food grows, countries are introducing new regulatory frameworks to oversee their production, processing, marketing, and consumption.^[11]