IAEA Launches Research Project on Edible Insects and Novel Foods Safety

As global demand for alternative protein sources rises, the International Atomic Energy Agency has recently launched a five-year coordinated research project focusing on assessing safety risks associated with edible insects and other novel foods during production, processing, and consumption. The project will be implemented through the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, utilizing nuclear techniques, isotope techniques, and related detection methods to analyze chemical, biological, and physical hazards in food.

Currently, more than 2,000 species of edible insects are known globally, and approximately 2 billion people regularly consume insects. In Africa, Asia, the Pacific region, and Latin America, insects have long been part of the diet in some communities; today, at least 113 countries consume one or more insect species. As demand for sustainable protein expands, edible insects are also entering markets beyond traditional consumption areas and have been classified under the category of "novel foods" in some regions.

The IAEA noted that edible insects have certain nutritional value, but research gaps remain regarding their safety, production methods, and regulatory standards. Since insects are typically rich in protein and moisture, improper production, processing, or storage conditions may lead to microbial growth. Additionally, insects may absorb naturally occurring toxins or agricultural chemicals from the environment, and these substances could be transferred along the food chain. Other novel foods, such as those derived from cell or tissue culture, plants, microorganisms, fungi, or algae, may face similar safety concerns.

The research project will investigate known and unknown hazards in wild or farmed edible insects, generating data on their levels and distribution patterns; identify potential hazards in other novel foods and analyze their extent and characteristics; study chemical and biological hazards that may arise at different production and processing stages; and develop, optimize, and validate nuclear techniques, isotope techniques, and other related technologies for hazard detection.

The project will be open to up to 15 research contract holders and 5 or more research agreement holders. Eligible research institutions may submit proposals for research contracts or agreements as required by October 10, 2026. The IAEA also encourages research institutions to include female and young researchers in their proposals to the extent possible.