Are Maggots Used to Make Protein Powder? Exploring Insect-Based Nutrition

December 13, 2025 •

4 min read

Over 80% of the world's countries already include insects as a common food ingredient, with over 2 billion people consuming them daily. While this is a common practice globally, many in Western cultures are curious about whether lesser-known insects, like maggots, are being turned into protein powder for human consumption. The answer lies in sustainable insect farming, though it's typically specific species and not household maggots.

Quick Summary

The production of insect protein powder relies on specific, hygienically farmed larvae, not unsanitary maggots, with black soldier fly larvae being a primary source for animal feed. While human-grade consumption is emerging, cultural acceptance and regulatory hurdles remain significant barriers. Other insects like crickets and mealworms are more commonly used for human protein products.

Key Points

Specific Larvae Used: The protein powder is made from specific, hygienically farmed larvae, not unsanitary maggots, with black soldier fly larvae being a prominent example.
Sustainable Food Source: Rearing insects like black soldier fly larvae is highly efficient and sustainable, requiring less land, water, and feed than traditional livestock.
Commonly Used Insects: While BSFL are mainly used for animal feed, other insects like crickets and mealworms are more established in the human protein powder market.
Processing for Purity: The process involves humane euthanasia, drying, and milling to ensure a safe, high-quality, and tasteless protein powder.
Overcoming the 'Ick' Factor: The focus on non-recognizable forms like powders helps increase consumer acceptance, though cultural aversion remains a barrier.
Regulation and Market Growth: Regulatory approvals and rising consumer interest in sustainable alternatives are driving growth in the insect protein market for both food and feed.

While the thought of eating maggots may seem unappealing to many in the Western world, the insect protein industry operates under strict guidelines and uses very specific species for its products. The key is understanding the distinction between fly larvae grown in controlled, hygienic conditions for a specific purpose and the common pests found in refuse. For animal feed and, in some cases, human supplements, the black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) are a prominent example.

The Black Soldier Fly Larva: An Alternative Protein Source

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) are one of the most promising insects for protein production due to their efficiency and nutritional profile. They consume a wide variety of organic waste, converting it into high-quality protein and fat. This makes them an integral part of circular agriculture, where food waste is recycled into a valuable resource.

Nutritional Profile of BSFL

On a dry-matter basis, BSFL can contain a significant amount of crude protein, often ranging between 32% and 53%, depending on their diet and developmental stage. They also have a rich amino acid profile, comparable to traditional protein sources like fishmeal and soy. Their fat content is also high, ranging from 18% to 33%, and contains essential fatty acids. The larval stage, in particular, is nutrient-dense and is the primary target for processing into protein products.

The Production Process for Insect Protein Powder

The manufacturing process for insect protein powder ensures a safe and hygienic product, whether for animal or human consumption. The steps generally include:

Rearing: Larvae like BSFL are raised on controlled substrates, such as specific food waste or agricultural byproducts, under regulated conditions to prevent contamination.
Harvesting: Once the larvae reach the pre-pupae stage, they are harvested, as this is when their nutritional content is at its peak.
Processing: The insects are humanely euthanized (e.g., via freezing), washed, and then dried. Drying is a critical step, as under-drying can lead to bacterial growth, while over-drying can degrade nutritional value.
Defatting (Optional): Many manufacturers use solvent-based extraction methods (e.g., using ethanol) to remove the high-fat content from the larvae. This concentrates the protein and extends the shelf life.
Milling: The dried, defatted larvae are then ground into a fine powder. The fineness of the powder depends on its intended use—a fine mill is needed for soluble protein products, while coarser milling might be used for animal feed.

Cricket vs. Black Soldier Fly Larvae: A Comparison for Human Consumption

While BSFL are a primary source for animal feed, other insects like crickets are more established for human-grade protein powder due to factors like existing market acceptance and regulatory status.


Feature	Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL)	Crickets (e.g., Acheta domesticus)
Primary Market	Primarily animal/livestock feed. Human consumption is emerging.	Well-established for human consumption. Widely used in snacks, bars, and powders.
Protein Content (Dry Weight)	32–53%	60–70%
Fat Content	High (18–33%). Often defatted for protein powder.	Varies, but lower compared to BSFL.
Resource Conversion	Exceptionally efficient at converting organic waste into protein.	Highly efficient, requiring less land, water, and feed than traditional livestock.
Flavor Profile	Mild, nutty, can be influenced by diet.	Mild, nutty, and earthy taste.
Consumer Acceptance	Lower acceptance for direct human consumption in Western cultures due to association with maggots.	Higher acceptance as a novelty food, though still niche in Western markets.
Sustainability Role	Strong in supporting circular agriculture and waste management.	Significant reduction in environmental footprint compared to livestock.

Overcoming Barriers to Widespread Adoption

One of the biggest hurdles for insect-based protein powder is consumer perception, often referred to as the “ick” factor, particularly in Western markets. However, the industry has focused on producing non-recognizable forms, like protein powders and flours, to increase acceptance. The protein is tasteless and can be incorporated into familiar foods like baked goods, smoothies, and energy bars, making it an easier sell to consumers.

Regulatory frameworks are also evolving to support the use of insects for human consumption. For instance, the European Union has approved several insects as 'novel foods', including dried mealworms and crickets, after safety assessments by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). This provides a clearer path for commercial production and marketing. However, some studies have raised concerns about the overall sustainability benefit compared to certain plant-based options, especially regarding energy consumption in rearing.

The Future of Insect-Based Protein

Experts project significant growth in the insect protein market in the coming years. Factors driving this growth include increasing demand for sustainable food sources, rising awareness of environmental impacts from traditional livestock farming, and innovation in food processing technology. Beyond protein powder, insect protein is being explored for use in pet food, supplements, and humanitarian food security initiatives. As technology advances and consumer acceptance grows, insect protein, including that derived from larvae like the black soldier fly, will likely become a more common part of the global food system.

Conclusion

To answer the initial question, are maggots used to make protein powder? While the term 'maggot' is broad and often associated with decay, specific, hygienically-farmed insect larvae, most notably the black soldier fly larva, are indeed processed into protein powder. This is primarily for animal feed, but its use in human nutrition is a growing, regulated market. The industry is actively working to overcome consumer aversion by offering protein in a palatable, powdered form and demonstrating the significant nutritional and environmental benefits of these alternative protein sources. As sustainability and resource efficiency become more important, insect protein is poised to play a larger role in meeting global food demand.

Frequently Asked Questions

The type of larvae used is almost exclusively the black soldier fly larvae (BSFL), which are not the same as common housefly maggots. They are specifically farmed in controlled, hygienic environments to be processed into protein products.

Insects are a more sustainable alternative to traditional livestock farming. They require significantly less feed, water, and land, and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

No, most insect protein powders, including those made from BSFL or crickets, have a mild, nutty, or earthy flavor profile. They are often used as an ingredient in other products like smoothies or energy bars, where the flavor is masked.

Yes, when produced under regulated, hygienic conditions, insect protein powder is safe for human consumption. Regulatory bodies like the EFSA have approved specific insect species for use in novel foods, though those with shellfish allergies may have a cross-reactive reaction.

Yes, cricket and mealworm powders are commonly available for human consumption. These insects are widely used in protein bars, baked goods, and supplements.

The protein content of insects varies by species, but on a dry-matter basis, many have protein levels comparable to or even higher than beef or chicken. For instance, cricket protein can be around 60-70% protein by dry weight.

The process involves rearing larvae, harvesting them at their peak nutritional stage, humane euthanasia (e.g., freezing), drying, and milling them into a fine powder. For higher protein concentration, a defatting step may be included.