Adapted from a press release
Ÿnsect has been granted authorization by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) to use defatted mealworm proteins within dog nutrition.
It is the first time that mealworm-based ingredients for pet foods have been authorized for use in the U.S., said the company.
The authorization follows two years of evaluation by AAFCO, the organization responsible for the safety of animal food in the U.S. Authorization was granted to Ÿnsect based on a comprehensive scientific dossier which included a 6-month trial introducing mealworm-derived ingredients into the diet of dogs. The results demonstrated the safety of the product and its nutritional benefits, said Ÿnsect.
A further study commissioned by Ÿnsect with Professor Kelly Swanson from the Animal Sciences Laboratory at the University of Illinois' Urbana-Champaign, proved that the protein quality of defatted mealworm flour from Tenebrio molitor was comparable to high-quality animal proteins traditionally used in pet food manufacturing, such as beef, pork and salmon.
The authorization opens huge prospects for Ÿnsect, and its pet food brand Sprÿng as pet owners are increasingly becoming 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 said it is poised to actively contribute to the solution. Mealworms are raised from agricultural byproducts in cereal-producing regions creating an environmental footprint lower than many other traditionally used ingredients. For example, 1 kg of Sprÿng Protein70 flour emits half as much CO2 equivalent as lamb or soy flour, and 22 times less than beef flour.
"We are very proud to have obtained the very first authorization for the commercialization of mealworm-based ingredients for pet food in the United States," said Krishnamoorthy. "It is the recognition of over 10 years of research for the benefit of animal health. This authorization opens the doors to the immense American market just as we are preparing to deliver our first pet food customers 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 an ecological, healthy and sustainable solution to meet the growing demand for protein and plant consumption.
