Edible Insect Sausage

[Anchor Lead]

It seems that edible insects are a promising future industry. A recipe for Korean sausage or sundae featuring edible bugs has recently been patented for commercialization.

[Pkg]

This preparation of the Korean sausage "sundae" looks scrumptious. On the outside, it looks just like any other sundae, but this dish is extra special, as it contains edible insects. Powdered beetles are used in the sausage instead of pig fat. A restaurant selling this delicacy has already opened its 5th store.

[Soundbite] Lee Sang-seon(Sundae Soup Restaurant Owner) : "I believe sales will shoot up. The response has been better than expected."

The insect sundae was commercialized by the Cheongju Agricultural Research and Extension Services and a local firm. Now available for purchase, the product has even been patented for the first time in the country. Chungcheongbuk-do Province has also developed a salad dressing using edible insects and has filed a patent application. Foods featuring insects are inching closer into our daily lives.

[Soundbite] Park Je-sang(Cheongju Agricultural Research & Extension Services) : "Consumption is the issue. The Agriculture Ministry is also focusing on how to promote consumption."

Remaining hurdles include expanding sales channels and lowering the still hefty price tag of about 115 dollars per kilogram. The domestic market for edible insects is expected to continue to expand.