Insects as Food
Frequently asked questions
Are insects approved as food product?
Which parts of the insect are edible?
Where can I buy insect food?
You can order insect snacks and protein insect bars in our online shop. Retailers and food service providers are best to contact us directlyif they are interested in larger quantities or other products (such as insect burgers or whole insects, dried or frozen).
Is it possible to collect insects in the garden and prepare them afterwards?
Are insects considered as vegetarian or even vegan?
Are there any health risks when eating insects?
Insects have a well-developed immune system. Therefore, the farms we work with don’t need to use any antibiotics or medicine to keep the insects healthy.
Are there known insect allergies?
Are insects gluten-free?
Why should I eat insects, plants are more sustainable anyway?
How does Essento contribute to a more sustainable society?
Our insects are farmed in the EU or Switzerland. We have high quality and sustainability standards for our products. We only use insects from animal-friendly farms and pay attention to the origin of our selected ingredients. Whenever possible we try to include local products and suppliers. Our manufacture is based in Zurich.
Which products does Essento offer?
Our assortment includes whole insects as well as refined, processed products. We want to let you decide what attracts you most to try and eat insects.
You get whole insects roasted and refined as snacksor processed as high protein insect bars. In addition, we have created Essento Insect Burgers, which are available for food service providers and restaurants.
How do you guarantee the safety and quality of your products?
Our products are manufactured under the required food hygiene conditions and are subject to the same strict quality regulations and controls as other foods. Additionally, we are in regular contact with the authorities and carry out regular microbiological laboratory tests.
When it comes to farming insects, there are strict guidelines so that they can be sold as food. The respectful treatment of all animals, including insects, is very important to us. We have therefore developed joint solutions with the animal welfare authorities in Switzerland.
How has the price of insects developed?
The quantities of insects consumed throughout Europe are still very small compared to conventional meat consumption. What needs to happen to increase the consumption of insects?
We have asked you and we are listening: For many people it is important that the prices of insects are lower in order to encourage them to eat insects on a more regular basis. In the last years we have been able to pass on several price reductions to you and thus continuously lower our prices. Insects will be cheaper than meat in the future, as it requires much less input (work, water, space, feed, etc).
Why do some people feel disgusted at the thought of eating insects?
How has the willingness to eat insects developed in recent years?
How do you estimate the likelihood of additional insect species being legalized as food?
How could the future of entomophagy (insect eating) look like? What is the vision of Essento?
Where do you source your insects from?
What do the insects get to eat?
Do insects feel pain? How are they killed?
How does Essento guarantee that the insects come from a species-appropriate breeding farm?
Are there diseases that can be transmitted to humans?
At a global level, a drastic insect extinction is observed. Why should we still eat insects?
We source insects only from breeding farms that are certified and have a closed system, which is why the insects are not connected to a wild ecosystem. Further, we are convinced that the consumption of bred insects increases the awareness of the important role these small creatures play in our ecosystem.
Why are insects so expensive? Aren’t they supposed to be way cheaper than conventional meat?
We have asked you and we are listening: For many people it is important that the prices of insects are lower in order to encourage them to eat insects on a more regular basis. In the last years we have been able to pass on several price reductions to you and thus continuously lower our prices. Insects will be cheaper than meat in the future, as it requires much less input (work, water, space, feed, etc).