Animal Welfare in Insect-Based Food Production

Insect protein is positioned as a sustainable food future, but the welfare of the insects being farmed at scale is an emerging ethical concern requiring urgent research and framework development.

Key Facts

Cricket and mealworm protein is approved for human consumption in the EU since 2023
Some insect farming operations raise billions of insects per day
Killing methods for insects include freezing, boiling, and grinding — with uncertain welfare implications
The degree of suffering insects experience during mass killing is scientifically contested
EFSA has recommended precautionary consideration of insect welfare in farm regulations

Welfare Considerations

Insect protein farming presents a welfare challenge at the frontier of our moral circle. If insects have morally relevant experiences — even at a fraction of the intensity of vertebrates — the scale of insect farming creates welfare concerns of enormous magnitude. The European Food Safety Authority has recognized this uncertainty and recommended precautionary consideration. Welfare-conscious engagement with insect protein requires supporting research, applying precautionary reasoning, and advocating for welfare frameworks before the industry scales further.

What You Can Do

Support EFSA and equivalent bodies developing insect welfare regulatory frameworks
Engage insect protein companies on their welfare research commitments
Follow Rethink Priorities and Welfare Footprint Project research on invertebrate sentience
Apply precautionary reasoning in choices about insect-containing food products
Advocate for welfare science requirements as part of insect farming regulatory approval processes