While you’re still debating if insects will be part of our future diet, you’ve already been eating crickets and larvae for over a year — disguised as your favorite foods.
Corporate translation: “We add insect flour to products, but call it ‘alternative protein’.”
Company #1: Barilla (pasta)
Since 2023, the premium pasta line contains “plant protein” — in reality, it’s cricket flour from farms in Thailand.
Official reason: “To increase nutritional value.”
Real reason: insects cost 3x less than meat with the same protein content.
Company #2: Beyond Meat (plant-based meat)
“100% plant-based” patties contain protein from mealworm larvae. Listed as “pea protein isolate” — a technical loophole.
Larvae are raised on pea waste, processed into protein concentrate. Technically still a plant-based product.
Company #3: Red Bull (energy drinks)
The red dye carminic acid comes from crushed female cochineal insects — about 70,000 bugs per liter.
It’s been used for 150 years, but now they also add chitin from shells “to improve taste,” listed as “natural flavors.”
Company #4: Ferrero (Nutella chocolate spread)
Since 2024, Nutella contains black soldier fly larvae flour to reduce cocoa costs. Masked as “mineral enrichment.”
Insects are high in iron and zinc — technically true, but you’re buying chocolate and getting bugs.
Company #5: PepsiCo (Lay’s chips)
“Natural flavoring” in some chips is actually extracts from grasshoppers and locusts. Brings umami taste without MSG.
Produced in Mexico, where locusts are a traditional food — but that’s never mentioned in local marketing.
How to spot it
Look for: “hydrolyzed protein,” “natural flavors,” “alternative proteins,” “mineral complexes.”
Avoid products with “new formula” labels without explanation.
Why they hide it
Goal — to slowly normalize insect consumption through unnoticed integration.
Read ingredient lists. Buy from small producers. Avoid “innovative” products from global brands.
While you’re still debating if insects will be part of our future diet, you’ve already been eating crickets and larvae for over a year — disguised as your favorite foods.
Corporate translation: “We add insect flour to products, but call it ‘alternative protein’.”
Company #1: Barilla (pasta)
Since 2023, the premium pasta line contains “plant protein” — in reality, it’s cricket flour from farms in Thailand.
Official reason: “To increase nutritional value.”
Real reason: insects cost 3x less than meat with the same protein content.
Company #2: Beyond Meat (plant-based meat)
“100% plant-based” patties contain protein from mealworm larvae. Listed as “pea protein isolate” — a technical loophole.
Larvae are raised on pea waste, processed into protein concentrate. Technically still a plant-based product.
Company #3: Red Bull (energy drinks)
The red dye carminic acid comes from crushed female cochineal insects — about 70,000 bugs per liter.
It’s been used for 150 years, but now they also add chitin from shells “to improve taste,” listed as “natural flavors.”
Company #4: Ferrero (Nutella chocolate spread)
Since 2024, Nutella contains black soldier fly larvae flour to reduce cocoa costs. Masked as “mineral enrichment.”
Insects are high in iron and zinc — technically true, but you’re buying chocolate and getting bugs.
Company #5: PepsiCo (Lay’s chips)
“Natural flavoring” in some chips is actually extracts from grasshoppers and locusts. Brings umami taste without MSG.
Produced in Mexico, where locusts are a traditional food — but that’s never mentioned in local marketing.
How to spot it
Look for: “hydrolyzed protein,” “natural flavors,” “alternative proteins,” “mineral complexes.”
Avoid products with “new formula” labels without explanation.
Why they hide it
Goal — to slowly normalize insect consumption through unnoticed integration.
Read ingredient lists. Buy from small producers. Avoid “innovative” products from global brands.
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