INSECT FOOD
“As global food demands continue to rise, insect farming offers a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to meet our protein needs.”
Javier, Founder of Insect Food
1. What does Insect Food do?
Insect Food is the first and largest importer and supplier of insect food for Human Consumption in Singapore. Our products include most of Singapore Food Agency (SFA’s) approved list of species such as Crickets, Mealworms, Silkworms, Locusts, White Grubs and Honeybees
Our first brand, Insectyumz was launched in July 2024 immediately after SFA announced the approval of edible insects for human consumption
Our edible insects are farmed and processed in regulated establishments under the oversight of the relevant Competent Authority. The establishments are equipped with Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and are certified with the Food Safety Management System, conforming to ISO 22000 standards.
Health certificates certifying that insects are not harvested from the wild and free from contaminants are also submitted for every imported shipment.
Our edible insects are approved by Singapore Customs and SFA, ensuring they are highly suitable for human consumption.
2. What inspired you to create Insect Food?
Our journey began in the 1990s when, as a secondary school student, I first sampled edible insects at a local store in Tampines Mall. This experience sparked a deep interest and passion for edible insects that has stayed with me ever since. Over the years, I have travelled to various countries to explore different insect-based delicacies. Insect Food was established in the year 2023 right after Singapore Food Agency announced the pre-approval of insects for human consumption.
3. What is your approach towards sustainability?
Insect farming has several advantages over traditional livestock farming in terms of sustainability. Insects require less land, water, and food resources compared to traditional livestock. They also produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions and can even help recycle organic waste. As global food demands continue to rise, insect farming offers a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to meet our protein needs.
4. Can you highlight a specific project or initiative that showcases your commitment to sustainability? (i.e. success story)
We understood that changing mindsets would take time, so we focused on creating snacks that are easy and enjoyable for people to consume. Our first two products, Mealworms and Tom Yum Crickets, were selected based on extensive tastings and research to best align with the preferences of Singaporean taste buds.
Our sustainability journey didn’t stop at the food production side. The company also looked for ways to reduce waste throughout our entire operation, from packaging materials to supply chain logistics. This circular approach to production helped ensure that the entire ecosystem around our products was as sustainable as possible.
5. Why is sustainability important to you personally?
It wasn’t just a matter of offering a new food product Singapore; it was about redefining how we think about food production in a sustainable world.
Insect Food is focused on breaking barriers changing human perceptions and fears towards edible insect food. If we want to save the planet, the future of food is insects. By promoting edible insects for human consumption, we can address some of the most pressing sustainability challenges related to food production, making it an increasingly important option for the future.
6. Can you share the story of how you or your company began your sustainability journey?
Insect Food’s sustainability journey began with a simple yet powerful observation: the world was facing growing environmental challenges. Climate change, overpopulation, and the depletion of natural resources like water and arable land were rapidly becoming global concerns. At the same time, the food industry, particularly traditional livestock farming was contributing significantly to these issues through its massive environmental footprint.
But beyond just providing food, Insect Food also set out to educate the public about the benefits of eating insects, not just as a novelty, but as a necessary shift in the way we produce and consume food. We have partnered with schools, food experts, and environmental organizations to raise awareness about the sustainable benefits of insect consumption and its potential to revolutionize global food systems.
Our journey has always been about one thing: making sustainability not just a buzzword, but a real, tangible way forward for the future of food.
7. What are your future goals?
Our primary objective is to normalize edible insects as a mainstream food source in Singapore, which includes making them available on supermarket shelves. At present, two of our flagship products— Mealworms and Tom Yum Cricket are stocked in Sheng Siong. We aim to expand our product range and extend our presence to other supermarkets such as Fairprice and Cold Storage.
8. Any last comments that you would like to include?
Insect Food aspires to be the leading provider of edible insect products that are loved, trusted and appreciated by all consumers locally and around the world.