Do You Want to Eat Bugs? If Yes, Skip This Blog. If Not, Learn How Insects Are Creeping Into Your Food.

Most people assume they would never eat insects—unless they made that choice knowingly. But the truth is, bugs are creeping into our food supply, often hidden under scientific names and vague ingredient labels.

Food companies hope don't you to notice. Instead of listing “Crushed Beetles” or “Ground Crickets”, they disguise insect-based ingredients under technical-sounding names, leaving consumers unaware of what they’re actually eating. So what’s really in your food? Let’s break it down.

Hidden Insect Ingredients You Might Want To Watch Out For

1. Carmine / Cochineal (E120) – Crushed Beetles in Your Food

• What it is: A red dye made from crushed cochineal insects.

• Used in: Yogurt, fruit juices, candies, ice cream, processed meats, cheese products, and even in some alcoholic beverages, like soft drinks!

• Label Names: Carmine, Cochineal Extract, Natural Red 4, Crimson Lake. 👈🏼 Sounds like a place you might want to vacation, not eat!

• The Problem: Most consumers assume “natural color” means it comes from plants—not bugs.

  
  

2. Shellac (E904) – Bug Secretions Coating Your Candy & Fruit

• What it is: A resin secreted by the lac bug to protect its eggs.

• Used in: The shiny coating on chocolate, jelly beans, apples, coffee beans, sauces, frozen foods, and jams.

• Label Names: Confectioner’s Glaze, Natural Glaze, Resinous Glaze.

• The Problem: The name “glaze” makes it sound like a normal food coating—but it’s actually bug resin/secretion.

  
  

3. Acheta Powder – Ground Crickets in Snacks

• What it is: Dried and ground crickets. In the production of cricket flour, whole crickets are utilized, encompassing all parts of the insect, including: Exoskeleton, the hard outer shell. Wings, the appendages used for flight. Legs, the limbs used for movement. Internal Organs, the internal bodily systems.

• Used in: Protein bars, snacks, pasta, noodles, baked goods, bread, energy drinks, cookies and muffins.

• Label Names: Acheta Powder, Cricket Protein, Gryllidae Flour.

• The Problem: Many products using cricket flour are not labeled clearly, and consumers who wouldn’t eat insects may be eating them unknowingly.

  
  

4. Molitor Powder – Hidden Worms in Processed Food

• What it is: Dried and ground mealworms.

• Used in: High-protein snacks, baked goods, and meat substitutes (burgers), pasta, cheese, and dairy products.

• Label Names: Molitor Powder, Mealworm Protein, Insect Protein Powder, Tenebrio Molitor Powder.

• The Problem: The FDA are already approving mealworms for mass consumption, and labeling laws do not require companies to make it obvious that a product contains insects.

  
  

5. Orthoptera Protein – More Bugs Sneaking Into Food

• What it is: Dried grasshoppers or locusts, ground into flour.

• Used in: Energy bars, processed snacks, seasoning powders, and protein powders.

• Label Names: Locust Bean Protein, Orthoptera Protein.

• The Problem: Some brands are marketing these as “alternative proteins” without making it clear that they come from insects.

The Hidden Health Risks of Eating Insects

1. Allergic Reactions – Insects & Shellfish Cross-Reactivity

• What’s the risk? Insects contain proteins that are structurally similar to those found in shellfish, such as shrimp and crab.

• Who is at risk? People with shellfish allergies may also react to insect-based ingredients, experiencing hives, swelling, difficulty breathing, or even anaphylaxis.

• Scientific Evidence: A study found that 14.7% of participants who ate insects experienced allergic symptoms. (NIHStudy )

  
  

2. Microbial Contamination – Bacteria, Viruses & Parasites

• What’s the risk? Insects can carry harmful pathogens, including Salmonella, E. coli, fungi, and parasites, especially if farmed in unsanitary conditions.

• Who is at risk? Anyone consuming contaminated insect-based products may experience food poisoning, diarrhea, vomiting, or long-term infections.

• Scientific Evidence: Research shows that improperly processed insects can harbor disease-causing microbes, making them a potential health hazard. (Food Safety Study)

  
  

3. Heavy Metal Accumulation – Insects Absorb Toxins from Their Environment

• What’s the risk? Insects can bioaccumulate heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and arsenic from their food and surroundings.

• Who is at risk? Long-term exposure to toxic metals is linked to organ damage, neurological disorders, and cancer.

• Scientific Evidence: A study found that mealworms and crickets can accumulate dangerous levels of cadmium when fed contaminated feed. (Food Safety News)

  
  

4. Chitin – An Undigested Fiber That Can Cause Gut Inflammation

• What’s the risk? Insect exoskeletons are made of chitin, a fiber that is difficult for the human digestive system to break down.

• Who is at risk? Excess chitin consumption may cause gut inflammation, bloating, and digestive discomfort, especially in people with sensitive stomachs or autoimmune conditions.

• Scientific Evidence: Studies suggest chitin may trigger inflammatory responses in the gut, leading to potential long-term health effects.

  
  

5. Insect Processing & Chemical Residues

• What’s the risk? Insects may be treated with preservatives, pesticides, or disinfectants before being turned into food products.

• Who is at risk? Chemical residues left on insects can cause toxic effects, particularly if consumed regularly.

• Scientific Evidence: A food industry report warned about potential contamination risks in insect farming due to lack of proper regulation. There is also a risk of transmitting zoonotic infections to humans through edible insects seems low, but this topic requires greater research to clarify the potential risks for food and feed. (Farmers Weekly)

The Problem: Insects Are Quietly Entering the U.S. Food Supply

While some European countries have already approved mealworm consumption on a mass scale, the U.S. is quietly following suit—yet food labeling laws are not keeping up.

• No clear disclosure: The FDA requires ingredients to be listed but does not mandate that companies explicitly state "contains insects" when using Tenebrio molitor (mealworms) or Acheta domesticus (crickets).

• Scientific names obscure the truth: Instead of listing "mealworm powder," companies can label it as "Tenebrio molitor powder"—a name most consumers wouldn’t recognize.

• No allergen warnings required: Mealworms and crickets can trigger allergic reactions in people with shellfish allergies, yet companies are not required to issue warnings as they do for peanuts or dairy.

• Insect-based ingredients are creeping into U.S. foods: Protein bars, baked goods, pasta, and snacks now contain cricket flour and mealworm powder—marketed as "sustainable protein" rather than what they actually are: ground-up insects.

How TREVBI Helps You Avoid Hidden Insect Ingredients

If you don’t want to eat insects, (like me!) you shouldn’t have to. But companies aren’t going to make it easy to avoid them. That’s where TREVBI comes in.

Scan any food ingredient list and instantly, see if it contains hidden insect ingredients. See clear ingredient explanations—no more guessing what "Acheta Powder" or "Molitor Protein" really is. (Bugs)

Find cleaner alternatives—TREVBI helps you choose food products that match your dietary preferences.

Bottom Line: U.S. Consumers Deserve “Transparency in Every Bite”

If companies believe in these ingredients, why hide them behind scientific names? Consumers should have the right to know if they’re eating insects—not have to decode ingredient lists to figure it out.

Know What You Eat

• You don’t have to accept deceptive food labeling.

• You don’t have to eat crickets, beetles, and worms just because companies think you won’t notice.

• You have the right to know what’s in your food—TREVBI makes sure you do.

  
  

Download TREVBI today and enjoy Transparency in Every Bite!

What Do You Think?

Would you eat insects if you knew they were in your food? Do you think companies should be forced to clearly disclose insect-based ingredients? Drop a comment and let us know!

If you enjoyed this blog, tap ❤️ comment below 💬 and share the love! 🥰