Excerpted from a press release
Ÿnsect is authorized by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) to use defatted mealworm proteins in dog nutrition.
This is the first time that mealworm-based ingredients for pet foods have been approved in the US
The authorization follows two years of review by AAFCO, the organization responsible for animal food safety in the US Approval was granted to Ÿnsect based on a comprehensive scientific dossier that included a 6-month trial that included ingredients derived from mealworms in dogs’ food. The results showed 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 Urbana-Champaign of the University of Illinois, proved that the protein quality of defatted mealworm flour from Tenebrio molitor was comparable to high quality which are animal proteins traditionally used in pet food manufacturing, such as beef, pork and salmon.
The authorization opens up huge prospects for Ÿnsect, and its pet food brand Sprÿng as pet owners become increasingly aware of both the nutritional and environmental benefits of animal-based alternatives, said Shankar Krishnamoorthy, CEO of Ÿnsect.
Reducing the environmental impact of pet food is a major challenge for the industry, but Ÿnsect says it is ready to actively contribute to the solution. Mealworms are raised from agricultural products in cereal-producing regions that create an environmental footprint that is lower than many other traditionally used ingredients. For example, 1 kg of Sprÿng Protein70 flour emits half the CO2 equivalent of lamb or soy flour, and 22 times less than beef flour.
“We are very proud to have obtained the first-ever authorization for the commercialization of mealworm-based ingredients for pet food in the United States,” Krishnamoorthy said. “This is the recognition of more than 10 years of research for the benefit of animal health. This authorization opens the doors to the vast American market as we prepare to serve our first pet food customers animals from our Amiens farm.”
Ÿnsect is one of the global leaders in the production of insect-based proteins and natural fertilizers and exports worldwide. Founded in 2011 in Paris, Ÿnsect provides ecological, healthy and sustainable solutions to meet the growing demand for protein and plant consumption.
