Insects as Food and Feed: Laws of the European Union, United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and China

Legal rules on the use of insects as feed and food vary across the world. Precise rules on safety, marketing, and animal welfare are largely missing. In the EU, United States and Canada, insects are novel and legally treated as such. In Mexico, Australia, and China, many species of insects have a long tradition of food and/or feed use. We believe recognizing the history of safe use in other countries is fair risk management in insect regulation. Harmonized standards on safety, marketing, and animal welfare would facilitate sustainable growth of the insect business.