A comprehensive review of entomophagy under legal, historical, safety, and nutritional profile

In the last decade the use of insects has grown globally in relation to all sectors of the food chain. In about 100 nations around the world, insects are traditionally part of the human diet; this practice is termed entomophagy. Although many studies have been conducted on the importance of edible insects as alternative sources of protein, most of them have focused on consumer acceptance or aversion/neophobia. As human food, insects have various advantages. They are rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals and can be used in nutrition. Additionally, insects are efficient in bioconverting organic matter into biomass for food, adding the advantage of disposing of some by-products. Insects as foods of the future offer great promise, and their impact is expected to grow as new insights are pursued into quality, cultivation, nutrition, taste and safety. This review aims to be an overview of the laws regulating entomophagy, the history of insect consumption world-wide, safety considerations, and nutrient composition.