A Vanderbilt University professor argued that insects must compose a larger share of the world’s food supply.
In an opinion <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2021-12-17/why-bugs-must-be-a-bigger-part-of-the-human-food-chain?srnd=opinion-technology-and-ideas&amp;utm_content=view&amp;utm_campaign=socialflow-organic&amp;utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;cmpid%3D=socialflow-twitter-view">piece</a> for Bloomberg, <a href="https://as.vanderbilt.edu/english/bio/amanda-little/">Amanda Little</a> — who teaches investigative journalism and science writing at the prestigious university — lauded the European Union’s recent decision to approve insects for human consumption. According to Little, the move ought to be carried out across the globe:
<blockquote>The approval confers a kind of dignity to the lowly, protein-rich microbeasts that we foolishly dismiss as pests, and delivers a clear signal that the insect proteins industry is poised for significant growth. Above all, it paves the way for an alternative protein source that should play a critical role in feeding a hotter, more populous world.
Before this triggers your gag reflex, let’s be clear: For most consumers, the EU decision won’t translate to bugs in your burgers and mealworms in your macaroni. Yes, insects will play a far more integral role in human food systems going forward, but they won’t likely be a direct form of protein. Instead, they’re becoming an increasingly valuable indirect food source — a feedstock for poultry, farmed fish, pork and beef which are currently fattened on environmentally costly soy and corn feeds.</blockquote>
Though investors have poured billions into making insects a core food supply for livestock, Little added that American consumers have been hesitant to add the critters to their own diets:
<blockquote>Humans have been consuming edible insects — from crickets and grasshoppers to fire ants and termites — since before the dawn of civilization, and 80% of the world’s population throughout Asia, Africa and Latin America, continues to eat bugs today. But U.S. consumers have been slow on the uptake, even as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved insects for human consumption years ago. A niche market has emerged with snack foods such as Chirp Chips and Exo protein bars. And when the FDA approved insects for pet foods earlier this year, brands including Purina began sourcing bugs for their products.</blockquote>
However, Little emphasized the purported environmental benefits of insect consumption — especially with fly larvae:
<blockquote>The environmental benefits of insect proteins both for human and animal consumption are astounding. Black soldier fly larvae, in particular, hold promise: Known in the industry by the acronym BSFL, these infant bugs serve as high-quality chicken and fish feed and require 1,000 times less land per unit of protein produced compared to soy production, between 50 and 100 times less water, and zero agrochemical inputs.</blockquote>
Little cited an article from <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/07/03/maggots-could-revolutionize-global-food-supply-heres-how/">The Washington Post</a>, which argued that the larvae hold promise for the human food market — for instance, through protein powders and ingredients for cookies, pasta, and chips. The article called Western consumers’ revulsion to insects “puzzling,” since crabs and lobsters are “really just giant sea bugs.”
Beyond the European Union’s recent approval of insect consumption and Little’s opinion piece, American institutions have been pushing alternative protein sources. In a bizarre social media post last month, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/federal-reserve-nudges-americans-to-swap-turkey-for-soy-at-thanksgiving">suggested</a> that soy is a more economically efficient Thanksgiving meal option than turkey.
“A Thanksgiving dinner serving of poultry costs $1.42,” said a tweet discussing a Federal Reserve Economic Data blog post. “A soybean-based dinner serving with the same amount of calories costs 66 cents and provides almost twice as much protein.”
Conservatives on social media were by no means enthused by the central bank’s tweet.
“And for Christmas you can have earth worms and cockroaches,” <a href="https://twitter.com/JDVance1/status/1462497190576803847">said</a> Republican United States Senate candidate J.D. Vance.
“Next year it’ll be bugs,” <a href="https://twitter.com/Cernovich/status/1462496235642933253">concurred</a> commentator Mike Cernovich.
“Quantitative easing and soy for Thanksgiving,” <a href="https://twitter.com/CynthiaMLummis/status/1462485320637812743">added</a> Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY). “Let’s save America from these people.”

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

Vanderbilt Professor Says Bugs, Including Fly Larvae, ‘Must Be A Bigger Part Of The Human Food Chain’

CONTINUE READING

Bud Light Sales Continue To Plummet, May Soon Lose Status As Number-One Beer

‘Profoundly Christian’: Former Head Of Anglican Church Presses British Government To Endorse Assisted Suicide

Ben Shapiro Reacts To Debt Limit Deal, Hits Both Democrats And Republicans Over Spending Habits

‘The Chosen’ Defends Pride Flag Spotted On Set: ‘Let The Show Speak For Itself’

Chick-Fil-A Faces Backlash As Their Diversity Efforts Resurface, Other Woke Brands Take Beating

North Korea Sentenced Two-Year-Old To Life In Prison After Family Caught With Bible: State Department

News

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Menu

— News —

Vanderbilt Professor Says Bugs, Including Fly Larvae, ‘Must Be A Bigger Part Of The Human Food Chain’