Gyeongbuk Province, Jointly Developed Insect Food by Meat Processing Companies Goes on Sale ... Official Launch on 'Insect Day'

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongguk Lee] Gyeongbuk Province announced on the 27th that it began pilot sales of insect-based food products jointly developed with S Food, a meat processing specialist company located in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, starting from the 20th.

The insect food products being piloted are two types: 'Protein Bar' and 'Madeleine.' They are sold at special discounted prices (special discount price at Bukdabang: 2,000 KRW each) at Bukdabang inside the Gyeongbuk Provincial Office and at S Food's own store, John Cook Market, located in Gangnam, Seoul.

This pilot sale aims to gauge consumer response and product competitiveness ahead of the official launch. Based on the results, the products will be improved and diversified, with an official release planned for September 7th, coinciding with 'Insect Day.'

The development of insect food products in collaboration with companies is expected to significantly contribute to eliminating consumer resistance to insect raw materials, which is the biggest obstacle to the growth of the insect industry, and to solving the problem of uniformity in insect foods as part of the general food commercialization and consumption promotion of insect raw materials. Gyeongbuk Province has high expectations for this.

Gyeongbuk Province is focusing on fostering the insect industry as a 'Korean-style alternative protein source.' It is promoting the establishment of a 'new insect industry platform' through joint cooperation among industry, academia, and research institutes in connection with local farms.

Edible insect raw materials have up to 4.5 times higher protein content compared to traditional meat, contain a wide range of nutrients including essential amino acids, and are attracting attention as efficient food raw materials because they can drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and feed supply compared to livestock.

Kim Jong-su, Director of the Agriculture, Livestock, and Distribution Bureau of Gyeongbuk Province, stated, "Insects are a highly efficient protein source and a future alternative food resource. Gyeongbuk has been investing ahead of others, seeing the potential of the insect industry, and will continue to actively foster it as a strategic industry."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.