Current status of edible insect industry and research in Europe with a particular focus on the Belgian case

Since the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) announcement, in 2013, of an edible insect program, entomophagy (i.e. the consumption of edible insects) is actually considered as a future ecological alternative to protein supply in Europe. However, success in introducing entomophagy in Western societies depends on factors governing current legislation adaptation and consumers’ attitudes towards insect-based products. Firstly, current legislative brake for the development of insect industry and future adaptation of this legislation will be explained and discussed. As an example, few edible insect species are allowed in Europe (at least 10 species and only in Belgium) and among them, some insects are rather intended for human consumption, as Acheta domestica (L. 1758), while others are more targeted for feed since they are reared on decaying organic matter, such as Hermetia illucens (L. 1758) but are still not allowed. Secondly, a quick presentation of the actual European research projects on edible insects will be presented to show the real interest for this new protein source in Europe. Thirdly, the actual growing business of edible insect will be presented as despite the lack of clear legislative frameworks before 2017, insect breading and insect processing companies are created every month and try to ride the wave of edible insects. Finally, a new consumer acceptance study from our laboratory will be presented, as highlighted before, consumer acceptance is big concern for edible insect business in Europe. Effectively, edible insect is very unconventional in Europe and new insect-based products must be deeply studied before any relying on the market.