CIIMAR Unveils Protein-Enriched Insect Cookies Advancing Sustainable Nutrition

Matosinhos, Portugal — A new generation of sustainable food innovation is taking shape as CIIMAR (Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research) introduces ready-to-eat cookies enriched with protein from insect powder, developed within the EU-funded INNOECOFOOD project.

The product represents a significant step forward in efforts to deliver nutritious, affordable, and environmentally sustainable food solutions, while creating new economic opportunities across Africa and Europe.

Developed under a “farm-to-fork” approach, INNOECOFOOD focuses on transforming locally available resources—such as insects, fish by-products, and spirulina—into safe, market-ready food products. The insect-based cookies exemplify this approach by combining high nutritional value with low environmental impact, offering an innovative response to global challenges, including food insecurity, malnutrition, and climate change.

A Sustainable Protein Alternative

Insect protein is increasingly recognized as a viable alternative to conventional livestock-based protein. It is rich in essential amino acids, healthy fats, and key micronutrients, while requiring significantly fewer natural resources to produce.

By incorporating insect powder into a familiar and widely accepted product like cookies, CIIMAR is also addressing consumer acceptance—demonstrating how sustainable ingredients can be integrated into everyday diets without compromising taste or convenience.

Driving Circular Economy and Livelihoods

The innovation aligns with INNOECOFOOD’s broader mission to promote circular economy solutions and climate-smart food systems. Insects can be reared on organic side streams, reducing waste and contributing to efficient resource use.

Beyond environmental benefits, the initiative delivers a strong socio-economic impact. The project is actively supporting:

• Training for youth and women in sustainable agribusiness
• Capacity building for rural farmers in insect production and processing
• Development of new value chains for alternative proteins

These efforts are designed to create sustainable livelihoods, stimulate local economies, and enable communities to participate in emerging food markets.

From Research to Real-World Impact

The insect-enriched cookies are part of a pipeline of novel food products being validated for nutritional quality, safety, and consumer acceptance under the project framework. By bridging research and application, INNOECOFOOD ensures that innovations move beyond laboratories into real-world use.

This work contributes to global priorities on food system transformation, supporting more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable approaches to food production and consumption.

About INNOECOFOOD

INNOECOFOOD (ECO-Innovative Technologies for Improved Nutrition, Sustainable Production and Marketing of Agroecological Food Products in Africa) is a Horizon Europe-funded initiative bringing together partners from Europe and Africa. The project aims to develop innovative, climate-smart food systems, establish rural ECOHUBs, and empower communities through training, technology, and sustainable value chains.