Black soldier fly larvae (Photo by the Research Institute of Environment, Agriculture and Fisheries, Osaka Prefecture)
TOKYO, Mar. 8 – A private organization in Japan has established guidelines for black soldier fly production to ensure the safe use of larvae as feed materials and food. The new private guidelines are now in place to gain consumers’ trust and confidence, following the ones created last year for crickets. While insects are gathering attention as alternative protein sources for farm animals and humans, there are no public rules for raising the insect.
Insect Business Research and Development Platform (iBPF), a group of research institutes including Osaka International University and private companies, developed the guidelines. The black soldier fly is a promising future material for feed due to its high concentration of protein and fat.
The new guidelines require larvae producers 1) not to use wild insects, 2) to disinfect every individual entering the production facility thoroughly, and 3) to clean and sterilize the products before shipment. The producers are recommended to keep records of all production processes and product destinations. Also, they need to wear gloves and masks to protect themselves.
Before shipping a feed product, producers must meet the safety standards under Japan’s feed safety laws set by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).