People who are allergic to shellfish may be allergic to bugs.
Insects have been consumed since the dawn of human existence.
Our biology and an insect’s biology are very different and insect pathogens, specific to invertebrates, generally do not harm humans.
There are three areas of concern.
1. The risk of pathogens does exist to an extent; especially when insects are eaten raw. This is true with most foods and insects need to be treated with the same care as other food products. It’s always best to cook them.
2. People with shellfish allergies may be allergic to the chitin (the insect’s exoskeleton) since it is very similar to the chitin in crustaceans.
3. Pesticides and herbicides can be a problem with insects that are gathered in the wild and are not grown on a farm for human consumption.
If you are unsure but want to give it a try, it’s always good to be cautious. Try a tiny amount of cricket powder first, wait a day or two, and if you feel fine, try a bit more. Slowly adding cricket powder to your diet is the safest approach.
Allergic reactions are not common but, if you’re concerned, abstinence will guarantee no reaction. 🙂
You can find edible bugs for sale that are farm raised for human consumption right here on EdibleInsects.com
Good for You | Good for Our Planet
