LONDON: Fancy some roasted crickets for a light snack? Look no further than in the local supermarket aisles.

Sainsbury’s has become the first British supermarket chain to stock edible insects in a bid to boost sustainable food sources that produce fewer greenhouse gases.

“Insect snacks should no longer be seen as a gimmick or something for a dare,” said Rachel Eyre, head of future brands at Sainsbury’s. “It’s clear that consumers are increasingly keen to explore this new sustainable protein source,” Eyre said in a statement. Insects can be a rich source of fat, protein, vitamins, fibre and minerals, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Globally, at least two billion people eat insects — which require far less land and water than cattle — and more than 1,900 species have been used for food, according to the FAO.

Published in Dawn, November 20th, 2018