A quick Q&A presentation about edible insects (Entomophagy). Essential facts to raise awareness on edible insects as a sustainable protein alternative source.

1. Promoting insects as a primary future protein alternative source
8 CRUNCHY FACTS
ABOUT EDIBLE INSECTS
YOU DIDN'T KNOW...

2. 1. Did you know that 70 % of our fresh water resources are used in
agriculture?
To produce a kilo of beef you need 22.000 liters of water. To
produce a kilo of crickets you only need 1 liter of water!! Insects are
highly sustainable to farm requiring far less water, land and feed than
other animals.

3. 2. Did you know that 2 billion people regularly
eat insects?
That’s 1/3 of the world population! Insects are part
of the food diet in many countries of Africa, South
East Asia and Latin America.

4. 3. Did you know that insects are already a part of our day to day
food?
This is called unintentional ingestion. We eat between 450 and
900 grams per year. In practice, it is not possible to completely
eliminate insects from the human food chain. Insects are present in
many foods, especially grains. Food laws in many countries do not
prohibit insect parts in food, but rather, they limit the quantity.

5. 4. Did you know that in ancient Greece cicadas
were considered a luxury snack and romans
found beetle larvae to be a delicacy?
Actually insects as food fell out of favor
completely in Europe by the mid- to late-
Nineteenth Century as the march of civilization
made such diets seem “primitive”.

6. 5. Did you know that insects are an excellent source of high quality
protein (most insects are composed of 80% protein)?
They are low in saturated fats and are an amazing source of minerals,
especially iron and zinc, and they are also rich in vitamins and fibre.
Actually, insects could be a fabulous alternative to beef for people who
suffer from anaemia (that's 30% of the world population!)

7. 6. Did you know that insects such as meal
worms are said to taste like roasted nuts and
that locusts have a taste close to that of
shrimps?
Some people even say that crickets have an
aroma of popcorn.
Check out some recipes @The Insect Cookbook:
For a sustainable planet by Arnold van Huis.

8. 7. Did you know that there are 1.900 known edible insects on Earth?
Over 1,000 species of insects are known to be eaten in 80% of the
world's nations. According to the Food and Health organisation beetles
are the most consumed insects accounting for 31% of the total.
Other popular insects eaten around the world include crickets, cicadas,
grasshoppers, ants, various species of caterpillar (such as bamboo
worms, mopani worms, , scorpions and tarantulas.

9. 8. Did you know that in Uganda crickets are a
delicacy?
A kilo of crickets can cost up to 40% more than
a kilo of beef.