Composition
- EFSA assessment
- Main components are protein, fat, and fibre (chitin).
- What it means for your product
- Expect different solubility and mouthfeel from whey or plant isolates.
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Applications
Cricket protein for drinks and supplements
Cricket powder for drink mixes, shakes, and protein blends, from a manufacturer whose certified processing scope already includes cricket protein drink powder.
What Protanica supplies
Powder for your blend, or a drink powder made with us
Drink and supplement brands use cricket powder as an alternative protein in ready-to-mix powders, shakes, and blends. Protanica supplies the powder for your own blending, and it can also develop and pack a drink powder with you.
Drink powder is part of what we are certified to make. Our SGS GHPs and HACCP certificates name cricket protein drink powder in their processing scope.
- Ingredient
- Cricket protein powder milled from whole house crickets (Acheta domesticus)
- Finished products
- Cricket protein drinks are part of Protanica's food range. Ask about current options.
- Specifications
- Protein content and technical data shared on request
- Ways to work
- Ingredient supply, formulation and pilot runs, private label, filling and packing in available formats
Certified processing scope
"Processing of Cricket Protein Powder, Cricket Protein Drink Powder and Cricket Protein Snacks in Laminated bag"
Formulation considerations
What to check in a drink or supplement
Whole cricket powder behaves differently from a soluble protein isolate. Plan for these points in early trials.
Dispersion and mouthfeel
EFSA describes protein, fat, and chitin fibre as the main components of cricket powder. The fat and fibre do not dissolve like an isolate, so test how the powder disperses, settles, and feels in water, milk, or plant-based bases. Blending with other proteins and flavours is common.
Protein figures and claims
EFSA notes that the usual nitrogen-to-protein factor of 6.25 overestimates true protein in cricket powder because chitin contains non-protein nitrogen. Confirm the analytical method before you print a protein figure or a high-protein claim.
Protein quality
For one partially defatted house cricket powder, EFSA reported a PDCAAS of 0.79 for adults, with histidine limiting. Values differ between products, so ask for data on the Protanica powder you plan to use and consider complementary proteins.
Flavour pairing
Cricket powder has a roasted, savoury character. Chocolate, coffee, banana, and nut flavours are common partners in sweet drink powders. Run sensory tests in the final serving format.
Supplement rules and allergens
Markets classify protein powders differently, as foods or as supplements, with different rules for claims and labelling. EU authorisations for house cricket require a crustacean, mollusc, and dust mite allergy statement. Confirm requirements for each destination.
Regulatory science
What EFSA found about cricket protein
EFSA's 2022 safety opinion on partially defatted house cricket powder is the most detailed public assessment of cricket protein for food use.
Protein measurement
- EFSA assessment
- True protein is overestimated with the 6.25 nitrogen factor because chitin adds non-protein nitrogen.
- What it means for your product
- Check the method behind any protein figure used on pack.
Digestibility
- EFSA assessment
- Pepsin digestibility of 83.2% ± 1.0% across five batches.
- What it means for your product
- A useful reference point. Ask for data on the exact product you buy.
Protein quality
- EFSA assessment
- PDCAAS of 0.79 for older children and adults, 0.63 for children aged 6 months to 3 years. Histidine was limiting.
- What it means for your product
- Consider complementary proteins if a protein-quality claim matters.
Allergenicity
- EFSA assessment
- May cause reactions in people allergic to crustaceans, mites, and molluscs. Feed allergens may carry over.
- What it means for your product
- Plan allergen labelling and supplier documentation early.
EFSA assessed a partially defatted powder from a specific applicant. Protanica's powder is made from whole crickets, so these values are context, not a Protanica specification.
How we can help
Supply the protein, or build the drink together
Choose the level of support that fits your brand and timeline.
Ingredient supply
Cricket protein powder for your own drink or supplement blends, with specifications on request.
View the powderFormulation and pilot runs
Develop flavour, blend, and serving format, then test in pilot production.
Explore R&D supportPrivate label and OEM
Put your brand on a cricket drink powder. We fill and pack in our available formats; custom packaging development is not offered.
Explore private labelDocuments for your QA team
Review the SGS certificates that cover drink powder processing, plus farm and facility documents.
Review quality documentsSourcing FAQ
Buyer Questions, Answered
Can cricket protein powder be used in shakes and drink powders?+
Yes. Cricket powder is used in powdered drinks, shakes, and protein blends. Protanica's certified processing scope includes cricket protein drink powder. Because whole cricket powder contains fat and chitin fibre as well as protein, test dispersion, settling, and mouthfeel in your own base.
Is cricket powder a complete protein?+
Cricket protein supplies essential amino acids, but quality scores depend on the product. EFSA's opinion on one partially defatted house cricket powder reported a PDCAAS of 0.79 for adults, with histidine as the limiting amino acid. Ask for analysis of the exact Protanica product before making protein-quality claims.
Why might the label protein figure be overstated?+
Protein is usually calculated from nitrogen using a factor of 6.25. EFSA notes this overestimates true protein in cricket powder because chitin contains non-protein nitrogen. Confirm the method behind any protein figure you use on pack.
Does Protanica make a finished cricket protein drink?+
Protanica lists cricket protein drinks among its food products, and its SGS GHPs and HACCP certificates cover processing of cricket protein drink powder. Ask our team about current products and private-label options.
Can cricket protein be sold as a dietary supplement?+
It depends on the market. Some countries regulate protein powders as foods and others as supplements, each with different rules on ingredients, claims, and labelling. Check the classification for your product and destination before launch.
What allergen labelling applies?+
EU authorisations for house cricket require a statement that the ingredient may cause allergic reactions in people allergic to crustaceans, molluscs, and dust mites. EFSA also notes allergens from the insects' feed may carry into the powder. Check rules in each market.
Sources and scope
- EFSA NDA Panel (2022), safety of partially defatted house cricket powder as a novel food
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/188, house cricket as a novel food
- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/5, partially defatted house cricket powder
- SGS GHPs certificate for Protanica, TAS 9023-2021
Published studies used their own ingredients, formulas, and equipment, so treat their results as starting points rather than a specification for Protanica products. This page is not legal or regulatory advice. Check product permission, allergen wording, labelling, and claims for your exact product and destination market.
Build a cricket protein drink
Tell us the format, flavour direction, and target market. Early ideas are welcome, and you do not need exact volumes to start.