Key Takeaways
- First Approval in the USA: Ÿnsect has authorized the AAFCO to use defatted mealworm proteins in dog nutrition, marking the first-ever approval of mealworm-based ingredients for pet foods in the USA.
- Extensive Evaluation: The approval followed a thorough two-year evaluation by the AAFCO, including a 6-month dog trial demonstrating mealworm-derived ingredients’ safety and nutritional benefits.
- Proven Protein Quality: Research led by Professor Kelly Swanson confirmed that the protein quality of defatted mealworm flour is comparable to traditional high-quality animal proteins used in pet food.
- Environmental Benefits: Mealworm-based pet food by Ÿnsect, specifically its brand Sprÿng, offers significant environmental advantages, emitting substantially lower CO2 than traditional protein sources.
- Market Expansion: This authorization opens significant opportunities for Ÿnsect in the American market, aligning with growing pet owner interest in sustainable and nutritious animal-based alternatives.
Approval for Ÿnsect
Ÿnsect, a leading producer of insect-based proteins, has achieved a significant milestone with the authorization from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) to incorporate defatted mealworm proteins in dog nutrition. This marks the first instance where mealworm-derived ingredients have been approved for pet foods in the United States.
Rigorous Evaluation Process
The approval from AAFCO was the culmination of a two-year evaluation process. A critical part of this evaluation was a comprehensive scientific dossier presented by Ÿnsect. It included results from a 6-month trial that introduced mealworm ingredients into dog diets, demonstrating these novel ingredients’ safety and nutritional benefits.
Scientific Validation of Protein Quality
Ÿnsect’s commitment to high-quality pet nutrition was further validated through a study conducted with Professor Kelly Swanson at the University of Illinois’ Urbana-Champaign. This study confirmed that the protein quality of defatted mealworm flour from Tenebrio molitor is on par with traditional animal proteins like beef, pork, and salmon, commonly used in pet food manufacturing.
Environmental Impact and Sustainability
A significant advantage of Ÿnsect’s mealworm-based pet food, particularly its Sprÿng brand, is its reduced environmental footprint. Mealworms are raised using agricultural by-products, making them a more sustainable option than many traditional protein sources. For instance, Sprÿng Protein70 flour has a much lower CO2 emission profile than lamb, soy, or beef flours.
Expansion into the American Market
The authorization represents a significant breakthrough for Ÿnsect and its CEO, Shankar Krishnamoorthy, who expressed pride in this achievement. This development acknowledges over a decade of dedicated research. It opens up the vast American market to Ÿnsect, particularly as it prepares to serve its first pet food customers from its farm in Amiens.
As pet owners increasingly seek out nutritious and environmentally friendly alternatives, Ÿnsect’s mealworm-based products are poised to meet these demands, marking a new era in sustainable pet nutrition.
Ÿnsect Recent News
Ÿnsect Inks MoU With Leading Korean R&D Center (2023/04/28)
On April 26th, during the “France-Korea” event, Ÿnsect, a global leader in insect production, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Korea’s LOTTE R&D center to expand into high-value segments with sustainable ingredients and better understand Asian markets. This partnership, signed in the presence of Korean Vice-Minister Cho Juhyeon, will focus on researching insect-based food products, exploring the health benefits of edible insects, and assessing consumer attitudes towards insects in food in both Europe and South Korea. This collaboration marks a significant step in Ÿnsect’s growth in human food and its expansion in Asia, reinforcing Franco-Korean cooperation in the tech sector. Additionally, Ÿnsect recently raised around $177 million to advance its development and scale operations in high-value markets.
Ynsect Raises $177M & Announce Cost-Cutting Measures (2023/04/17)
French insect farming startup Ynsect has raised $177 million to expand its facility and focus on high-return markets such as pet food, human nutrition, and fertilizers. The company plans to restructure its business, closing a production plant in the Netherlands and cutting jobs in France and the Netherlands. Insect farming is a rapidly growing industry, offering a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional animal farming. Despite challenges, the insect farming market is poised for continued growth and is a promising area for investment and innovation.
Ÿnsect Plans Insect Farm Projects in The United States (2022/12/13)
Ÿnsect plans to expand insect production sites in the US to create sustainable alternatives to animal protein. The company has a circular economy model for its new vertical farms to comply with the Paris COP21 agreements. Ÿnsect transforms mealworms into sustainable ingredients to feed animals, plants, and humans. They’ve filed a market approval for their flagship protein concentrate for the pet food market to the AAFCO. Ÿnsect is exploring potential collaborations with Ardent Mills, a North American leader in flour milling, to change the global food system sustainably.
Featured Among 30 Finalists For Zayed Sustainability Prize 2023 (2022/11/09)
The Zayed Sustainability Prize has finalized 30 finalists for 10 awards, with winners to be announced in January 2023 during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. This year, the Prize received a record 4,538 applications from 152 countries. The Jury, comprising former heads of state, UAE government ministers, and international business figures, met in Abu Dhabi in October to review the shortlisted submissions identified by the Prize’s Selection Committee. The finalists proposed sustainable solutions that leverage next-generation technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to drive impact.
Discover the rest here.
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