Which protein powders use maggots? Exploring insect-based alternatives

November 2, 2025 •

4 min read

With global demand for sustainable protein on the rise, insect-based powders have emerged as an eco-friendly option, with some brands utilizing insects like crickets and mealworms. This has led many to question, Which protein powders use maggots?, and explore the role of specific insect larvae, most notably the Black Soldier Fly, in next-generation supplements.

Quick Summary

The commercial protein powder market does not typically feature products derived from traditional maggots, but instead, utilizes Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) as a sustainable protein source. While predominantly used for animal feed, BSFL protein is being explored for human consumption, though widespread use is limited by developing regulations and consumer acceptance. Other insect powders like cricket are more common for human supplements.

Key Points

Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) are the primary insect larvae processed into powder, not typical housefly maggots, and are primarily used for animal feed currently.
BSFL protein is highly sustainable, converting organic waste into nutrient-rich biomass with a much lower environmental footprint than traditional livestock.
Most human-grade insect protein powders are made from crickets and mealworms, which have higher consumer acceptance in Western markets than BSFL.
Insect protein is nutritionally comparable to animal protein, offering all essential amino acids, key minerals like iron and zinc, and healthy fats.
Strict processing is required to ensure safety, including careful sourcing of feed and heat treatment, especially considering potential allergens and heavy metal accumulation.
Consumer perception and regulation are key hurdles for BSFL protein entering the mainstream human supplement market, despite its potential benefits.

The Rise of Sustainable Protein and the Insect Alternative

As the world grapples with the environmental impact of traditional agriculture and a growing population, the search for sustainable, nutritionally dense protein sources is more urgent than ever. The practice of entomophagy—eating insects—is a traditional part of many cultures and is now gaining traction in Western markets due to its low environmental footprint and high nutritional value. This shift has put insects and their larvae, including those colloquially referred to as 'maggots', under the microscope as a potential protein powerhouse.

Unpacking the 'Maggot' Misconception: The Black Soldier Fly Larva

When consumers ask, "Which protein powders use maggots?", they are typically referring to the larvae of the Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens), not the common housefly. Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) are highly efficient at converting organic waste into biomass, making them an exceptionally sustainable protein source. Their nutritional profile, which can contain up to 50% protein when dried, is rich in amino acids, healthy fats (including lauric acid), and essential micronutrients like iron and zinc, often surpassing lean meat in certain mineral contents.

However, it is crucial to distinguish between the nascent use of BSFL protein in human food and its established role in the animal feed industry. For years, BSFL meal has been a key ingredient in feeds for aquaculture, poultry, and pets, offering a nutrient-rich alternative to traditional fishmeal and soy. The BSFL's natural ability to sanitize its food source, coupled with specific heat treatments during processing, makes it a safe and valuable feed component.

Current Human Market vs. Animal Feed

While BSFL protein has immense potential, its entry into the human protein powder market faces several hurdles, particularly in Western societies where cultural aversion to insect consumption, or 'neophobia', remains a significant barrier. As a result, the commercial human food market primarily features protein powders derived from more accepted insect species, such as crickets and mealworms. Startups and researchers are actively working to overcome these perception issues and regulatory challenges, but BSFL protein is not yet a mainstream ingredient in human supplements.

A Comparison of Insect Protein Sources for Supplements

To better understand the landscape of insect-based protein, here is a comparison of BSFL protein powder with more established human-grade options like cricket and mealworm powders.


Feature	Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL)	Cricket (Acheta domesticus)	Mealworm (Tenebrio molitor)
Protein Content (Dry Weight)	~30–50%	~65–70%	~50–60%
Environmental Impact	Extremely low; utilizes organic waste	Low; efficient feed conversion	Low; efficient feed conversion
Current Market Use	Primarily animal/pet feed	Established for human supplements	Established for human supplements
Allergens	Cross-reactivity with shellfish possible	Cross-reactivity with shellfish possible	Cross-reactivity with shellfish possible
Fatty Acids	High in lauric acid (antimicrobial)	Balanced omega-3/-6 ratio	Balanced omega-3/-6 ratio
Flavor Profile	Often described as earthy or fishy	Mild, nutty, or earthy	Mild, nutty

The Nutritional Benefits of Insect Protein

Beyond providing a complete protein, insect powders offer a host of additional nutritional advantages. These include:

Essential Amino Acids: Insect proteins contain all nine essential amino acids necessary for muscle repair, growth, and overall bodily function.
Micronutrients: Many edible insects are excellent sources of vital minerals like iron, zinc, and calcium, as well as B vitamins, which often surpass levels found in conventional meats.
Healthy Fats: Insects contain beneficial fatty acids, including omega-3 and omega-6, which are crucial for brain and heart health.
Dietary Fiber: The exoskeleton of insects is composed of chitin, a form of dietary fiber that can act as a prebiotic, supporting healthy gut microbiota.
Digestibility: Some research indicates that certain insect proteins, like cricket, can be highly digestible and bioavailable, though not always as rapidly absorbed as whey.

Safety and Processing for Human Consumption

For BSFL protein to be used in human products, strict safety protocols are essential. Research indicates that the feed substrate and post-harvesting processing methods are critical for safety. Larvae must be raised on clean, food-grade organic waste to mitigate risks of heavy metal bioaccumulation. Thorough heat treatment, such as blanching or roasting, is necessary to eliminate microbial loads and inactivate allergenic proteins. For individuals with shellfish allergies, particular caution is advised due to potential cross-reactivity with insect proteins.

A Path Forward: From Feed to Food

The journey of Black Soldier Fly Larvae protein from a niche animal feed to a potential human food ingredient underscores the broader trends in sustainable nutrition. While Which protein powders use maggots? remains a valid question, the answer is nuanced. While direct 'maggot' powder for human use is not common, BSFL represent a significant, viable sustainable protein source for the future. As regulations evolve and processing techniques improve, consumer acceptance may increase, paving the way for BSFL to join other insect-derived products in the human food market. The ethical and environmental drivers behind this movement continue to push the boundaries of what is considered a conventional protein source.

For more in-depth information on the research surrounding insect-based proteins for human consumption, consult scholarly articles such as those available on IFT's online library.

Frequently Asked Questions

Currently, most commercial protein powders for human consumption do not use traditional maggots. Instead, some innovative startups and research are exploring the larvae of the Black Soldier Fly (BSFL) as a sustainable protein source, though this is not yet a mainstream practice.

When processed under controlled and hygienic conditions with proper heat treatment, BSFL protein can be safe for human consumption. However, the BSFL must be fed on clean, food-grade substrates, and individuals with shellfish allergies should exercise caution due to potential cross-reactivity.

BSFL protein is a larvae-based product most noted for its exceptional sustainability, as it can be grown on organic waste. Other more established human-grade insect proteins are typically made from crickets or mealworms, which also offer strong nutritional profiles but have slightly different compositions and consumer acceptance levels.

The main reasons BSFL protein is primarily used for animal feed are the developing regulatory frameworks for human novel foods and significant consumer acceptance challenges in Western cultures. The process of using BSFL for animal feed is well-established, regulated, and economically viable.

The flavor profile of insect protein powders can vary depending on the species. Cricket protein is often described as nutty or earthy. The flavor of BSFL protein has been described as earthy or fishy, which can be masked when mixed with other ingredients.

Insect protein is a complete protein with all essential amino acids and is rich in micronutrients like iron, zinc, and vitamin B12. While it may have different strengths, such as higher omega-fatty acids or fiber (from chitin), it is not universally more nutritious and can have different amino acid ratios than conventional meat.

Insect protein production is highly sustainable, requiring significantly less land, water, and feed than traditional livestock farming. This results in fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, insects like BSFL can recycle organic waste, turning it into valuable protein and fertilizer.