In this episode you will listen to the conversation I recorded with Nathan Preteseille, insects as food and feed expert, AFFIA Founder, project manager at at La Compagnie des Insectes, and Vouvray producer.

We talked about regulatory limitations in Europe, South East Asia and US, unlocking the insects potential in agriculture, frass, the insect-based biofertilzer - and French wine.

Nathan shared how his background in biochemistry and food engineering led him to the insect industry, particularly in Thailand, during a pivotal time of growth around 2014. He co-founded AFFIA in 2016 to unite actors in this space, emphasising the role of regulation in enabling or hindering industry development. Nathan detailed the evolution of insect-related regulations in Europe and Southeast Asia, noting Europe’s leadership in setting clear but stringent rules, contrasting with Southeast Asia’s approach and the U.S.’s more flexible, opportunity-driven regulatory landscape.

He discussed challenges like limited use of food waste for insect feed due to strict regulations and he highlighted the potential of insects in sustainable food and feed systems but stressed that regulation remains a critical barrier to scaling these opportunities globally.

My name is Umberto Diecinove, I am a documentary photographer and I am currently leading a project titled I N S C T S which explores the potential role of insects in addressing environmental and social challenges. I’m doing it traveling, photographing research centres, farms, communities and companies all over the world and engaging with world experts and people working in the field. I do believe insects could be the next game changer.

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