Singapore could be allowing the sale of certain insects as food as early as July, restaurants and potential farms which have been informed of the latest development told CNA.

The approvals for the sale of insects for human consumption have been delayed for more than a year.

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) first conducted a public consultation on the regulation of insects and insect products in end-2022.  In April last year, the agency said that 16 species of insects, such as crickets, silkworms and grasshoppers, would receive the green light for consumption in the second half of 2023.

Earlier this year, SFA, in a forum letter reply in The Straits Times, said it is finalising the implementation details and aims to introduce a regulatory framework in the first half of this year.

“As the insect industry is nascent and insects are a new food item here, it is necessary for SFA to put in place the regulatory levers before insects are approved as food to safeguard food safety, and more time is needed to establish the required regulations and implementation plan,” the letter added.

“We will work closely with food business operators to ensure that they are able to meet SFA’s regulatory requirements before insects and insect products are permitted for sale as food for human consumption in Singapore.”