Bug Buffet

Surveys conducted after the program found that about 80 percent of students polled would be willing to try the insects after they are approved, he said.

Altimate Nutrition is hoping to launch its cricket protein bars at eco-friendly store Green Collective as soon as possible, to be the "first movers", Hiew said.

It is collaborating with various food and beverage players — it supplies House of Seafood with some of its bugs and is working with Origin Bar to launch a cricket-based cocktail.

To carry out more research and development, Altimate Nutrition has formed a joint venture named ProteinInnovation with its supplier, Thai insect farm Global Bugs.

ProteinInnovation will look into growing crickets in the most productive, cost-effective way and the collaboration will help Global Bugs to better tap the Singapore market, said Global Bugs co-founder and chief executive Kanitsanan Thanthitiwat.

"While there are many cricket farms in the Thai market, the challenge lies in determining who can produce the largest volume of crickets and in the most cost-effective way," she said.

ProteinInnovation will be raising funds to build another high-tech cricket farm in Thailand, which is capable of growing about 200 metric tons of crickets a year — 20 times more than its current capacity.

The crickets will be bred, using automation, in little "boxes", to alleviate manpower costs, and being modular, these can easily be scaled up, she said.

Other companies are waiting to test consumer reception before deciding on their launch plans.

Aaron Chen, the chief executive of Werms, which currently sells insects such as crickets and mealworms as pet food, is waiting to see if there is any consumer demand for his insects, before deciding to offer them for human consumption.

While these insects are grown in a similar way — whether for humans or for pets — greater biosecurity measures will be needed if they are to be sold for human consumption. A new farm will also have to be set up to prevent cross-contamination, for example, and a new license will be needed.

"While we can scale up rather quickly, there might be quite a bit of costs involved for us to venture into the edible insect market, so we'll wait and see what happens," he said.