Ÿnsect Commercializing Mealworm Protein for Dog Food

Ÿnsect, leader in insect ingredient production for protein, has been granted authorization by the AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) to use defatted mealworm proteins for dog food. It is the first time that mealworm-based ingredients for pet foods have been approved in the US.

The authorization follows two years of evaluation by AAFCO, the organization responsible for the safety of animal food in the US. Approval was granted to Ÿnsect based on a comprehensive scientific dossier that included a 6-month trial introducing mealworm-derived ingredients into the diet of dogs. The results demonstrated the safety of the product and its nutritional benefits.

A further study commissioned by Ÿnsect with Professor Kelly Swanson from the Animal Sciences Laboratory at the University of Illinois' Urbana-Champaign, proved that the protein quality of defatted mealworm flour from Tenebrio molitor was comparable to high-quality animal proteins traditionally used in pet food manufacturing, such as beef, pork, and salmon.

"We are very proud to have obtained the very first authorization for the commercialization of mealworm-based ingredients for pet food inthe United States. It is the recognition of over 10 years of research for the benefit of animal health. This authorization opens the doors to the immense American market just as we are preparing to deliver our first pet food customers from our Amiens farm." Shankar KRISHNAMOORTHY, CEO of Ÿnsect.

This opens prospects for Ÿnsect and its pet food brand Sprÿng, as pet owners are increasingly becoming aware of both the nutritional and environmental benefits of animal-based alternatives.

Mealworms are raised from agricultural by-products in cereal-producing regions, and their environmental footprint is lower than many other traditionally used ingredients. For example, 1 kg of Sprÿng Protein70 flour emits half as much CO2 equivalent as lamb or soy flour, and 22 times less than beef flour, the company said.

The company's pet food brand Sprÿng offers a wide range of mealworm-based ingredients that can be used for dry, wet, and treat in pet food applications.