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According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, edible insects such as crickets, mealworms and grasshoppers are nutrient-rich food sources. They are high in complete protein, unsaturated fat, dietary fiber, vitamins and essential minerals, also, cricket powder contains nutrients such as nine amino acids, calcium, iron, potassium, vitamin B12, B2, and fatty acids. Some amino acids common in insects are Lysine and Tryptophan
Acheta domesticus, commonly called the house cricket, is a cricket most likely native to Southwestern Asia, but between 1950 and 2000 it became the standard feeder insect for the pet and research industries and spread worldwide. But can be kept as pets themselves, as this has been the case in China and Japan.
The house cricket is typically gray or brownish in color, growing to 16–21 millimetres (0.63–0.83 in) in length. Males and females look similar, but females will have an ovipositor emerging from the rear, around 12 millimetres (0.47 in) long. The ovipositor is brown-black, and is surrounded by two appendages. On males, the cerci are also more prominent.
The house cricket is an edible insect. It is farmed in South-East Asia and parts of Europe and North America for human consumption. In Asia it is said to become more popular than many native cricket species due to what consumers claimed was their superior taste and texture. Dry-roasting is common and is considered the most nutritious method of preparing them, though they are often sold deep-fried as well. Farmed house crickets are mostly freeze-dried and often processed into a powder known as cricket flour. In Europe, the house cricket is officially approved for use in food products in Switzerland (since 2017).
GMP Regulation
Quality of manufactured products is highly regulated as it can pose negative health risks to consumers and even the environment. Poor hygiene, temperature-control, cross-contamination, and adulteration in any step of the manufacturing process are some examples of how a manufactured product that doesn’t follow GMP guidelines can bring fatal consequences to consumers.
GMP is implemented by many manufacturers around the world and is mandated by their respective national government to regulate production, verification, and validation of manufactured products and ensure that they are effective and safe for market distribution. For example, in the United States, GMP is enforced by the US FDA through Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP) which cover a broader range of industries such as cosmetics, food, medical devices, and prescription drugs. The FDA conducts facility inspections to assess if a manufacturing company complies with CGMP regulations. If any serious violations are found during the inspection, FDA recalls all products, which is problematic for manufacturers in terms of both profit and business operations.
