Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Creepy comestibles—Insect burgers and balls: Swiss supermarket to sell bug-based food

Ah those wacky Swiss.

From Deutsche Welle:
Coop has set a date to introduce food items made from creepy crawlies to Switzerland. From bug burgers to "insect balls," food security authorities have voiced support for such food as a means for sustainable living.

Coop, Switzerland's second-largest supermarket chain, announced on Monday it will start selling insect-based food for humans later this month, making it the first grocer to do so in the Alpine nation.
The offered products are made of protein-rich meal worm produced by Swiss start-up Essento. The items will be sold in select Coop branches across Switzerland, including Geneva, Bern and Zurich.
The decision comes after Switzerland revised its food safety laws in May, paving the way for the production and distribution of insect-based food, including "insect balls" and insect burgers (pictured above).
In order to meet Swiss safety laws, the insects must be bred under strict supervision for four generations before they're ready for human consumption.

The insect balls represent a healthy culinary specialty that mixes meal worms with rice, carrots, celery, leeks and a pinch of chili, said Essento co-founder Christian Bärtsch....MORE
Insect balls in packaging (picture-alliance/KEYSTONE/W. Bieri)
The insect balls are one of two products to be offered to those doing their groceries in the Alpine nation of Switzerland
HT: Going Concern's Accounting News Roundup