Alternative Proteins Magazine ISSUE FOCUS October 2025 47 dietary preferences” to enhance their welfare (Eurogroup for Animals, 2023). CONCLUSION Circularity may be the latest buzzword to find purpose in an insect farming industry that has given up on having a transformative effect on food systems, yet, under scrutiny, the use of food waste appears more counterproductive than anything. Any sustainability or economic gain made by feeding insects on food waste fails to make insect protein a competitive and environmentally beneficial alternative to animal feed or pet food. Besides, the food safety and animal welfare risks surrounding insect farming are exacerbated when relying on true waste streams, shedding doubts on the overall viability of the model. We can doubt whether, even with new waste streams being authorised, insect producers will choose this path forward. The insect farming sector needs to be clear on its goals if it seeks to achieve policy change and develop at scale. The constant backpedaling of the sector in the last few years - from diet revolution to feed additive and from waste upcycling to lengthier food chain - make its latest claims of circularity hard to believe. About Francis Maugère Currently leading Eurogroup for Animals’ work on insect farming, Francis Maugère has worked on several groundbreaking publications, pulling together the latest research, scientific evidence and expert opinions on insect farming, and has intervened at several insect farming conferences to explore the sector’s significant implications for animal welfare and the environment. Alternative Proteins in Animal Nutrition • Insect-based Proteins • Single Cell Proteins • Seaweed and Microalgae • Plant-based Proteins • Cell-cultivated Meat • Alternative Protein Technologies • Converting Food Waste into Alternative Proteins alternativeproteins alt_proteins
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