A Japanese carrier has introduced a range of inflight meals made from insects, "environmentally-friendly meal option".
Since July, Zipair of Tokyo has been offering passengers the option for protein-rich meals which have a fraction of the carbon footprint of a conventional airline meal.
Using Gryllus- a branded ground insect meal - they have been replacing meat in some of their onboard dishes.
"The ingredients in both meals feature a protein rich edible insect in powder form, gryllus bimaculatus," said a release from the airline. "By consuming an alternative source rich in protein, these actions can positively impact climate change."
Insect burger: Zipair's patties and buns have healthy lashings of ground insect. Photo / Supplied
Currently cricket powder is being served as a chilli burger and "prawn" Pescatore pasta on international routes to Bangkok, Singapore, Honolulu and Los Angeles.
These special insect-based meals must be reserved in advance, and cost around $17.50pp. However the airline, which is a low-cost subsidiary of JAL, hopes that the insect-based options will help cut down on food waste and emissions.
Yet one can't help but feel a passenger jet service trying to promote climate conscientiousness through insect-based catering is a wriggly proposal. It's a bit rich.
Insect supplier Gryllus who developed the recipes says that the protein is based on a "circular food economy."
The crickets used for the meals are dense in protein and raised eating food waste - which makes them incredibly efficient, if no more appealing.
Zipair's Pasta Pescatore is made with Gallus grasshopper powder. Photo / Supplied
At least there is no danger of being served cricket accidentally.
The no-frills carrier is one of the only international airlines which do not include a meal-service as standard.
Zipair says it has "implemented a policy to only serve meals to those that reserve inflight meals in advance, which helps reduce food waste on each flight."
