Background and potential
There are many benefits to using insects in pet goods, including implications for the environment and sustainability. There is potential for growth in the pet food industry, with many insect species having the ability to be used as a novel protein source. There are also alternate uses for insects, such as control of hypertension and antioxidant properties.Environment and sustainability
As global populations rise, food demand is becoming an increasingly important issue. Raising conventional livestock requires resources such as land and water, of which availability is concurrently decreasing. As a result, the ability to meet the needs of the growing population may require alternative sources of quality protein. As the global population rises, there is an increasing demand for animal based proteins that will require the use of alternative and sustainable sources for pet food as well. Pets play an important role in society, providing companionship and support, and owning pets has been linked to reduced incidence of heart disease, stress and depression. The popularity of pet ownership is increasing, and with this is a trend of humanization. People are increasingly demanding pet food ingredients that they believe are healthy. This creates a competition with the human food chain for quality protein sources. Producing insect protein through other agricultural practices requires considerably less resources than traditional livestock. The production of insects also produces lower greenhouse gases and ammonia than traditional livestock species. Insects also have the ability to feed on organic waste products such as vegetable, restaurant and animal waste, therefore reducing the amount of excess food produced by humans. Insects are very efficient at converting feed into protein, as they require less feed than traditional livestock. Furthermore, water conservation is also accomplished as insects are cold blooded and are able to meet water requirements through their feed.Rumpold, B.A., & Schlüter O.K. (2013) Potential and challenges of insects as an innovative source for food and feed production.Innov Food Sci Emerg Technol 17, 1–11. Thus, insects may be an acceptable source of protein for pets. To learn more about sustainability of insect rearing, see Insect Farming.Insects as a novel protein source for pet food
A challenge that is presented when feeding companion animals with food intolerance or sensitivities is finding protein sources that will not irritate their gastrointestinal tracts. Animal protein is a major cause of gastrointestinal problems, and insect protein may be an alternative source for these pets. Insects have the potential to be used as a novel protein in diets for sensitive animals. A novel protein is a protein source to which the animal has not previously been exposed. There are some risks to using novel protein sources, such as contaminants, antinutritional factors (ANFs), and allergens which are not well known. When referring specifically to dog and cat nutrition, the use of alternative protein sources must be able to deliver the ten essential amino acids (EAA) that are not synthesized from the body (includingRegulations for pet food ingredients
Aside from the CFIA, which makes the use of specified risk materials illegal, pet food ingredients do not need to be approved by any regulatory body in Canada. However, if manufacturers plan to expand into the U.S. market, they must adhere to regulations imposed by each state, or comply with guidelines established by the American Association of Feed Control OfficialChallenges and safety concerns
In spite of all the advantages that insect protein are provided, there are some potential challenges caused by production and safety concerns. Mass production in the insect industry is a concern due to a lack of technology and funds to efficiently harvest, and produce insects. The machinery would have to house proper enclosure for each life cycle of the insect as well as the temperature control as that is key for insect development. The industry also has to consider the shelf life of insects in companion animal products as that some can have food safety concerns. Insects have the capability of accumulating potential hazards, such as contaminants, pathogens, the concentration of heavy metals, allergens, and pesticides etc. Table below combined the data from two studies published in Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, and summarized the potential hazards of the top five insect species consumed by humans. Hazards in insects that are shown above can be controlled by various ways. Allergic hazard can be labelled on the package to avoid consumed by the allergy susceptible consumers. Selective farming can be used to minimize chemical hazard, whereas microbial and parasitical hazard can be controlled by cooking processes.Insect-based pet food products on the market
As of August 5, 2021, AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) has voted to include adult dogs in the ingredient definition for whole dried black soldier fly larvae and black soldier fly larvae meal. This approval allows for the sale of BSF based dog food and treats in the United States. A number of pet food providers are now developing complete diets and treats using BSF in the US and CanadaReferences
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