Halal Perspectives on Grasshoppers (Locusts): A Path to Sustainable and Nutritionally Acceptable Alternative Protein Source

The food system is under increased pressure because of the need for sustainability, greater food safety, and increasing need for protein sources. Grasshopper-based food products are becoming a new option. Products made from grasshoppers represent a sustainable and nutritious alternative to traditional livestock. Besides offering added benefits such as reduced water and land use and minimal greenhouse gas emissions, they also have high levels of protein. While locusts are clearly considered halal in Islamic tradition, the halal status of grasshoppers, though they belong to the same biological family, is subject to scholarly interpretation. Locusts are a specific type of grasshopper that can enter a swarming phase; not all grasshoppers are locusts, and this distinction is significant in Islamic dietary law. Locusts, which are a type of grasshopper, are considered halal; therefore, they represent a potentially viable protein source in many countries with large Muslim populations. The halal status of other grasshopper species, however, remains subject to scholarly interpretation.

Therefore, this review discusses grasshopper-based foods in terms of their nutritional value, environmental benefits, and conformance with requirements for being halal. This includes exploring Islamic perspectives, Quranic references, and Hadiths, while highlighting the need for deeper evaluation and guidance from Islamic scholars regarding the permissibility of various grasshopper species. This also involves reviewing challenges and opportunities regarding halal certification, consumer acceptance, and market access, especially within predominantly Muslim countries. Grasshoppers align with sustainability goals due to their high feed conversion efficiency, low greenhouse gas emissions, and minimal land and water usage. Additionally, their acceptance in halal markets provides a culturally appropriate alternative protein source. With value addition in food processing and effective consumer education, grasshopper-based products could become mainstream staple foods both in the halal markets and globally for a sustainable and culturally appropriate solution to future food security challenges.