Insect and cultivated proteins: formulating with novel ingredients

Insect meals are now established in European pet food, and the first cultivated-meat pet treat went on sale in the UK in 2025. What is permitted where, what the digestibility data show, and what to check before you formulate.

PNL
Guires PNL InsightsWritten by the nutrition science and regulatory teams
Reviewed byGuires PNL scientific team
Published8 Sep 2026
Last checked8 Sep 2026
Reading time7 minutes
Key takeaways
  • The EU authorises eight farmed insect species for processed insect protein.
  • In the US, dried black soldier fly larvae were defined for adult dog food in 2021 — not for cats.
  • The UK cleared cultivated chicken for pet food in 2024; the first product went on sale in February 2025.
  • Early studies show good digestibility for black soldier fly in dog diets.
EvidenceModerateRated by the Guires Pet Nutrition Lab scientific team
IngredientInsect meals and oils; cultivated meat
Best evidenceBlack soldier fly larvae in dog food
Key checkRegulatory status in each market and species

01Regulatory status by market

MarketInsect proteinsCultivated meat
European UnionReg. (EU) 2017/893 authorised seven farmed insect species for processed animal protein; silkworm was added in 2021, making eight 1,2.No pet food authorisation identified.
United KingdomFollows retained EU feed rules; check with the Food Standards Agency.Cultivated chicken cleared for pet food in July 2024 after work with FSA, Defra and APHA 4; first retail product on sale February 2025 5.
United States“Dried black soldier fly larvae” tentatively defined by AAFCO in August 2021 for adult dog food and treats 3.New ingredients now go through FDA’s Animal Food Ingredient Consultation.
Other marketsConfirm case by case.Confirm case by case.

02Authorised insect species in the EU

The eight species authorised as farmed insects in the EU are black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens), common housefly (Musca domestica), yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor), lesser mealworm (Alphitobius diaperinus), house cricket (Acheta domesticus), banded cricket (Gryllodes sigillatus), field cricket (Gryllus assimilis) and silkworm (Bombyx mori) 1,2.

03What the studies show

Freel et al. 2021J Anim Sci · dog feeding study

Black soldier fly larvae meal (up to 20%) and oil (up to 5%) were safe over 28 days, with protein digestibility of about 89.6% and fat about 96.5%. 6

Prola et al. 2021Front Vet Sci · dog digestibility

An extruded dog food containing black soldier fly meal had nutrient digestibility comparable to a venison diet. 7

The evidence base is strongest for black soldier fly in dog diets. Data for cats, for other insect species and for cultivated meat are still limited, so each new application needs its own checks.

04Formulation considerations

Opportunities

  • A single, novel protein source for limited-ingredient concepts.
  • Insect oils as an additional fat source.
  • A route to documented sustainability claims.

Check before you launch

  • Amino-acid profile against the target species and life stage.
  • Fat content and oxidation stability of the meal.
  • Palatability — especially for cats.
  • Species scope of the ingredient definition (e.g. adult dogs only).
  • Substantiation for any sustainability claim.
Guires Pet Nutrition Lab verdict

Black soldier fly in dog food has good early data; for cats and other species, test before you launch — and check the regulatory scope first.

05Questions brands ask

Can I use insect protein in cat food in the US?

The 2021 AAFCO definition for dried black soldier fly larvae covers adult dog food and treats, not cats.

Is cultivated meat allowed in pet food?

The UK cleared cultivated chicken for pet food in 2024. Check other markets case by case.

Sources

  1. Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/893. Source ↗
  2. Commission Regulation (EU) 2021/1925. Source ↗
  3. Pet Food Processing (2021). AAFCO tentatively approves black soldier fly larvae for use in dog food. Source ↗
  4. FoodNavigator (17 Jul 2024). Meatly gets UK approval for use of cultivated meat in pet food. Source ↗
  5. Food Manufacture (Feb 2025). Meatly and THE PACK launch pet treats made from lab-grown meat into Pets at Home. Source ↗
  6. Freel TA, McComb A, Koutsos EA (2021). J Anim Sci. Source ↗
  7. Prola L et al. (2021). Front Vet Sci 8:653411. Source ↗

Evidence reviewed by the Guires Pet Nutrition Lab scientific team. This article is general information for product developers and is not legal or veterinary advice.

How to cite this article

Choose your referencing style, then copy. Check your university’s, journal’s or regulator’s guide for local variations.

Guires Pet Nutrition Lab. (2026, September 8). Insect and cultivated proteins: formulating with novel ingredients. Guires Pet Nutrition Lab Insights. https://www.petnutritionlab.com/insights/insect-cultivated-proteins

This article summarises published evidence for product developers. Cite the original sources above for specific findings, and do not reproduce this article as your own work.

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