Sainsbury’s to launch its new barbecue-flavour roasted crickets range on Sunday becoming first UK supermarket to sell edible insects
Sainsbury's will sell the packets of roasted crickets for £1.50 each
SAINSBURY’S will be the first UK chain supermarket to sell edible bugs and insect.
From Sunday, 250 of the chain’s stores will exclusively stock Eat Grub’s Smoky BBQ Crunchy Roasted Crickets.
The packets of crickets, which will retail at £1.50 each are described as “crunchy in texture with a rich smoky flavour” and “packed with protein”.
The supermarket says the crickets can be “eaten alone as a tasty snack or used to garnish dishes such as tacos, noodles or salads”.
Rachel Eyre, Head of Future Brands at Sainsbury’s, said: “Insect snacks should no longer be seen as a gimmick or something for a dare, and it’s clear that consumers are increasingly keen to explore this new sustainable protein source.
“We’re always looking to provide our customers with new and exciting products, and with the growing interest in edible insects we’re excited to be the first UK supermarket to make these products easily accessible for shoppers across the country.”
While insects have been available to buy in specialist shops as well as online grocer’s Ocado, this is the first time a high street supermarket has stocked them.
Insects are said to have nutritional benefits with dried crickets, gram for gram, containing more protein than beef, chicken and pork.
Just 100g of crickets contains 68g of protein, compared to 31g of beef, according to the British Nutrition Foundation.
Eat Grub co-founder Shami Radia said: “Currently Insects are eaten and enjoyed by two billion people worldwide.
MOST READ IN NEWS
“We’re on a mission to show the West that as well as having very strong sustainability and environmental credentials, they are also seriously tasty and shouldn’t be overlooked as a great snack or recipe ingredient.
“Insects can produce the same amount of protein for a fraction of the land, water and feed used to rear traditional livestock. What’s more, insects are estimated to release 80% less methane than cows.”
Eat Grub was founded in 2014 by friends Radia and Neil Whippey.