Assessment of the Regulatory Framework Related to Using Insects as Food and Feed
This presentation was given at the Entomological Society of America 2017 Southwestern Branch Annual Meeting.
Here are the slides…
Assessment of the Regulatory Framework Related to Using Insects as Food and Feed
This presentation was given at the Entomological Society of America 2017 Southwestern Branch Annual Meeting.
Here are the slides…
It is important that insect processors and consumer goods companies have information about where there insects come from. I put together a questionnaire to help facilitate a dialog between the insect supplier and customer. It will also serve as a record.
Here is a link to the Word doc: Edible Insect Farming and Processing Questionnaire
Company
Facility locations
Name
Title
Date
Let me know if I missed any questions.
UPDATE: added a third and fourth reference.
Fourth: Food Navigator article that includes the standard response and additional follow up questions.
Edible insects: Beyond the novelty factor
If the edible insects market is heating up, and big name retailers from Publix to Sprouts are now stocking cricket bars, snacks and protein powders, why is Whole Foods – which has reportedly temporarily dropped all bug-based products – apparently cooling down?
http://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Suppliers2/Edible-insects-Beyond-the-novelty-factor
Third: A power point from by the director of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Dr. Sonny Ramaswamy.
Here is the LINK. (the file is from Ben Guarino’s Inverse article.)
…
The first is courtesy of Andrew Brentano of Tiny Farms. Tiny Farms has an excellent forum, Open Bug Farm, that covers a wide range is topics on edible insects.
I attempted to secure my own copy by messaging the FDA’s Food and Cosmetic Information Center (FCIC). The first response did not have much content so I sent a follow up note.
My interest in getting a copy came from the IFT (2015) panel discussion on edible insects. One of the speakers, who is from the FDA, mentioned that there was a standard response for edible insects. The key points he mentioned were on point with the letter Andrew received.
The response I received was slightly different and didn’t have some of the same key points.
Some follow up questions I have from the letters:
Please share any letter or response you have received.
Be in touch on Twitter at Bob the Cricket
I have been blogging about government regulations in the US on edible insects. Current thinking is the the FDA/regulators will not press edible insects companies to stop making products. US Regulation
Today’s post will discuss the risk of consumer litigation for edible insect businesses.
Edible insect producers could experience class action law suits or individual lawsuits. The plaintiffs would need to prove damages and prove causation of injury. The legal structure of your business will affect your liability.
Is the FDA involved in consumer litigation? What can occur is that the FDA can send a warning letter… FDA Warning Letter to KIND via Food Navigator
Top 4 concerns for consumer litigation related to edible insects.
The best way companies can manage risk from consumer litigation is to use an allergen warning. Secondly, any claims must be supported with data and documentation.
Did I miss anything? Should industry be using a choking hazard for whole orthoptera products?
Let us know in the comments.