Ÿnsect eyes US pet nutrition market as it gets the nod to commercialize mealworm proteins in dog food

25-Jan-2024 - Last updated on 25-Jan-2024 at 10:52 GMT

Related tags Ÿnsect mealworm pet food dog Protein

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), following two years of evaluation, has granted Ÿnsect the first authorization for the commercialization of defatted mealworm proteins in the US.

The US Food and Drug Administration’s positive opinion in October 2023 further underscores the product's credibility, noted France headquartered insect ingredients producer.

The official US approval will be published in the coming weeks.

This US regulatory green light for its mealworm-derived ingredient, Protein70, was granted based on a comprehensive scientific dossier, including a six-month trial introducing mealworm-derived ingredients into the diet of dogs, said Ÿnsect.

The company also reported that collaborative studies with Summit Ridge Farms, as part of the marketing authorization submission, indicated the safety and nutritional benefits of a diet containing up to 30% mealworm proteins. Beyond nutritional advantages, Ÿnsect maintains that mealworm proteins act as an environmentally friendly alternative, potentially reducing the industry's footprint.

US market expansion

The move opens doors for Ÿnsect's expansion in the US market. Nearly 4 out of 10 American households have a dog (48%), totaling over 65 million dogs across the US, as per data from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), In 2022, the market for pet products was valued at around $136bn, with $42bn dedicated solely to the pet food market, according to a report from the American Pet Products Association (APPA). And this market continues to grow, with a roughly 5% growth rate, noted a review by TechNavio experts.

Ÿnsect, which launched its pet food brand Sprÿng last year, also collaborated with Professor Kelly Swanson from the Animal Sciences Laboratory at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to study its defatted mealworm flour with that research reportedly showing protein quality comparable to beef, pork, and salmon.

“Our discussions with key players in the pet food market led us to anticipate significant development in alternative meat proteins in this market," commented Philippe Pichol, chief sales and marketing officer, Ÿnsect.