USA- The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has officially granted Ynsect, a France-based insect ingredients producer, the first authorization for the commercialization of defatted mealworm proteins in the United States.
This significant milestone comes after a two-year evaluation process by AAFCO, underscoring the credibility of Ynsect’s product.
Further validating the product’s approval, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expressed a positive opinion in October 2023. The official approval from the United States will be formally published in the coming weeks, according to Ynsect.
The green light for Ynsect’s mealworm-derived ingredient, Protein70, was secured based on a comprehensive scientific dossier. This dossier included a six-month trial introducing mealworm-derived ingredients into the diet of dogs, demonstrating the safety and nutritional benefits of Ynsect’s innovative protein source.
As part of the marketing authorization submission, Ynsect conducted collaborative studies with Summit Ridge Farms, further substantiating the safety and nutritional advantages of a diet containing up to 30% mealworm proteins.
Beyond nutritional benefits, Ynsect emphasizes that mealworm proteins serve as an environmentally friendly alternative, potentially reducing the ecological footprint of the industry.
The approval marks a significant step for Ynsect, opening doors for expansion in the lucrative US pet food market. With nearly 4 out of 10 American households having a dog, totaling over 65 million dogs across the country, the market for pet products was valued at around US$136 billion in 2022, with US$42 billion dedicated solely to the pet food segment, as reported by the American Pet Products Association (APPA).
Philippe Pichol, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Ynsect expressed optimism about the development, stating, “Our discussions with key players in the pet food market led us to anticipate significant development in alternative meat proteins in this market.”
Ynsect, which launched its pet food brand Sprÿng last year, has also collaborated with Professor Kelly Swanson from the Animal Sciences Laboratory at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Research conducted in partnership reportedly showed that Ynsect’s defatted mealworm flour exhibits protein quality comparable to beef, pork, and salmon.
The approval sets the stage for Ynsect’s continued growth and market penetration in the US, capitalizing on the increasing demand for alternative and sustainable protein sources in the pet food industry.
For all the latest grains industry news from Africa, the Middle East, and the World, subscribe to our weekly NEWSLETTERS, follow us on LinkedIn, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
