As food systems diversify into insects, algae-fed species, and novel aquatic animals, establishing welfare standards for previously unregulated species is urgently needed.
The commercialization of novel species for food proceeds far ahead of the welfare science needed to protect them. This creates a troubling pattern where industries scale before ethical frameworks are established. The precautionary principle demands that where sentience or capacity for suffering is plausible — as with cephalopods, crustaceans, and possibly some insects — welfare protections should precede rather than follow commercial expansion. Proactive regulatory engagement and industry partnerships are essential.