The first book on entomophagy written in this manner, Edible Insects of the World is an enumeration of 2,141 species of edible insects. For the reader’s convenience, insect names are arranged much like a dictionary, first by taxonomic group and then by country. In addition to taxonomic and location information, entries contain applicable details about the history of entomophagy, collecting, cooking, and medicinal uses.

This text provides an important overview of the contributions of edible insects to ecological sustainability, livelihoods, nutrition and health, food culture and food systems around the world. While insect farming for both food and feed is rapidly increasing in popularity around the world, the role that wild insect species have played in the lives and societies of millions of people worldwide cannot be ignored. In order to represent this diversity, this work draws upon research conducted in a wide range of geographical locations and features a variety of different insect species. Edible insects in Sustainable Food Systems comprehensively covers the basic principles of entomology and population dynamics; edible insects and culture; nutrition and health; gastronomy; insects as animal feed; factors influencing preferences and acceptability of insects; environmental impacts and conservation; considerations for insect farming and policy and legislation. The book contains practical information for researchers, NGOs and international organizations, decision-makers, entrepreneurs and students.

Insect protein production through ‘mini-livestock farming’ has enormous potential to reduce the level of malnutrition in critical areas across the world. It has been estimated that insect eating is practised regularly by over two billion people, mostly in China and in most tropical countries in Africa, South America, and Asia. However, eating insects has been taboo in many western nations. Reasons for this are discussed in this book with examples from Finland and the UK. The enormous boom of insect farming in Finland started in September 2017 when the business type was legalized. However, a large part of the population found the insect food too expensive and exotic. UK research outlines a multitude of promising strategies to overcome ‘western’ resistance to eating insects. This book also includes a chapter on the potential of insect farming to increase global food security. It shows that Africa is a hotspot of edible insect biodiversity and there more than 500 species consumed daily. We have several examples of viable insect farming businesses that can fight poverty and malnutrition in developing countries and provide profit and wealth to rural farmers. The chapters of the book cover countries such as Cameroon, Ecuador, Finland, Ghana, India, Mexico, the UK, and the US.

From grasshoppers to grubs, an eye-opening look at insect cuisine around the world. An estimated two billion people worldwide regularly consume insects, yet bugs are rarely eaten in the West. Why are some disgusted at the thought of eating insects while others find them delicious? Edible Insects: A Global History provides a broad introduction to the role of insects as human food, from our prehistoric past to current food trends—and even recipes. On the menu are beetles, butterflies, grasshoppers, and grubs of many kinds, with stories that highlight traditional methods of insect collection, preparation, consumption, and preservation. But we not only encounter the culinary uses of creepy-crawlies across many cultures. We also learn of the potential of insects to alleviate global food shortages and natural resource overexploitation, as well as the role of world-class chefs in making insects palatable to consumers in the West.

This book explores one of the most discussed and investigated novel foods in recent years: edible insects. The increasing demand for alternative protein sources worldwide had led the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to promote the potential of using insects both for feed and food, establishing a program called “Edible Insects.” Although several social, environmental, and nutritional benefits of the use of insects in the human diet have been identified, the majority of the population in Western countries rejects the idea of adopting insects as food, predominantly for cultural reasons. Nevertheless, international interest in promoting the consumption of insects has grown significantly, mainly in North America and Europe. This trend is mostly due to increasing attention and involvement from the scientific network and the food and feed industries, as well as governments and their constituents. The book explores the current state of entomophagy and identifies knowledge gaps to inform primary research institutions, students, members of the private sector, and policymakers to better plan, develop, and implement future research studies on edible insects as a sustainable source of food. The case studies and issues presented in this book cover highly up-to-date topics such as aspects of safety and allergies for human consumption, final meat quality of animals fed with insects, the legislative framework for the commercialization of this novel food, and other relevant issues.

Encyclopedia of Food Allergy, organized in 10 sections, with ~200 chapters, and written by world-renowned clinician-scientist authors, is the most comprehensive resource for food allergy ever compiled. With online and physical presence, intuitive and easily accessible organization of information, the reader can quickly access overview and general topics as well as detailed information to inform solutions to clinical or research questions. Research topics provide the necessary background for the novice as well as the details required for those in the field. Clinical topics provide comprehensive and practical information, with generous use of tables, figures, and key points/clinical pearls, to inform clinical decision-making, and promote evidence-based management decisions. Food allergy may affect up to 10% of the population in developed countries and appears to be increasing in prevalence worldwide, with many food allergies proving life-long, severe and potentially fatal. The last decade has witnessed a sea change response to the impact of food allergy through basic science research on the immunology, food science research on the triggers, clinical approaches to daily management, treatment and prevention, and an increasing understanding of the psychosocial and societal implications and how to address them. With the expanding breadth and depth of the field, there is no existing comprehensive resource available for those professionals interested in learning about or contributing to food allergy research and clinical care. This is a complete resource covering broad and detailed aspects of food allergy and adverse food reactions for clinicians, researchers, regulators, food industry, students and other stakeholders who need and will benefit from a rich resource with in-depth and practical information. - Presents in-depth, comprehensive coverage from an outstanding international author base of domain experts - Ideal for new researchers and clinicians who will have a single resource that includes general topics to get them started - Includes access to detailed information in their areas of work AND for many related topics that will help improve their research or clinical care

Current Advances for Development of Functional Foods Modulating Inflammation and Oxidative Stress presents the nutritional and technological aspects related to the development of functional foods with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Specifically, analytical approaches for the characterization of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of healthy foods and functional constituents, as well as technological strategies for the extraction of compounds and fractions from raw materials to produce anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ingredients are addressed. In addition, the molecular mechanisms by which foods and their components can modulate inflammation and their oxidative stress effects on disease prevention are explored. Finally, clinical research addressing nutritional needs in pathological subjects with inflammatory diseases are considered. - Covers methods of analysis and extraction of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds - Offers an overview of the main anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds in foods - Provides a guide on the mechanisms of action and health benefits of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant dietary bioactives

Ensuring Global Food Safety: Exploring Global Harmonization, Second Edition, examines the policies and practices of food law which remain top contributors to food waste. This fully revised and updated edition offers a rational and multifaceted approach to the science-based issue of "what is safe for consumption?" and how creating a globally acceptable framework of microbiological, toxicological and nutritional standards can contribute to the alleviation of hunger and food insecurity in the world. Currently, many laws and regulations are so stringent that healthy food is destroyed based on scientifically incorrect information upon which laws and regulations are based. This book illuminates these issues, offering guidelines for moving toward a scientifically sound approach to food safety regulation that can also improve food security without putting consumers at risk. - Presents the progress and current status of regulatory harmonization for food standards - Provides a science-based foundation for global regulatory consensus - Approaches challenges from a risk-benefit approach, also including safety assurance - Includes global perspectives from governmental, academic and industry experts

Sustainable Protein Sources: Advances for a Healthier Tomorrow, Second Edition explores alternative proteins, including plant, fungal, algal and insect proteins that can take the place of meat as sustainable sources to satisfy human protein needs. This revised edition presents the benefits of plant and alternative protein consumption, including those that benefit the environment, population, and consumer trends and contains new chapters on potato protein, faba bean, chickpea, and coconut. Organized by protein, chapters also cover cereals and legumes, oilseeds, pseudocereals, fungi, algae, insects and fermentation-derived dairy and meat proteins paying particular attention to the nutrition, uses, functions, benefits, and challenges of each. The book also explores ways to improve utilization and addresses everything from consumer acceptability, methods of improving the taste of products containing these proteins and ways in which policies can affect the use of alternate proteins. In addition, the book addresses sustainable protein as a pathway to securing the food supply and considers regenerative versus extractive agriculture alongside new methods in farming and water usage. - Introduces the need to shift from animal-derived to plant-based protein and fermentation derived proteins - Discusses nutritive values of each protein source and compares each alternate protein to more complete proteins - Provides an overview of production, including processing, protein isolation, use cases and functionality

Insects as Food and Food Ingredients: Technological Improvements, Sustainability, and Safety Aspects addresses the use of insects as food by following a farm-to-fork approach and covering general aspects concerning farming, processing and the main applications of insects and insect derived ingredients in the food sector. Broken into three sections, this book addresses insect farming, the challenges of processing whole insects, or their fractionation into insect ingredients by the means of conventional and innovative technologies, as well as the biological properties, application, safety, functionality and nutritional value of both insects and their ingredients for food applications. Nutrition researchers, nutritionists, food scientists, health professionals, agricultural researchers, biosystem engineers and those working in or studying related disciplines will benefit from this reference. - Outlines general concepts related to insect rearing, nutritional value, safety and sustainability of production for food applications - Highlights current and recent advances in full insect and insect ingredients processing using innovative technologies - Presents the main applications of insects and their compounds, including functional and biological properties when used as food and other promising applications and prospects of insects in the agri-food sector