Black Soldier Fly Larvae as Alternative to Conventional Animal Feed: An Islamic and Science Perspective

Abstract

The black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens Linnaeus, is a worthwhile insect genus whose larvae have shown promise for sustainable animal feed because of their economical and premium protein. Concerns arise among Muslims about whether the usage of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) as animal feed is permissible by Shariah because hasyarat (insect) consumption, excluding grasshoppers, is forbidden based on the majority of Islamic scholars. This study examined the Halal status of animals fed with BSFL, investigated the benefits of BSFL in industrial farming, and analyzed the Maqasid al-Shariah view on the usage of BSFL as animal feed. Library research and document analysis were applied as qualitative methods. The study shows that BSFL has approximately a dry matter of 40% protein and 30% fat, no significant upshot in egg odour produced by hens fed with BSFL, and the whole nutritional exchange of fish meal with BSFL has no negative effects on the physicochemical merit of Atlantic salmon. The study concludes that if animals fed with BSFL are not affected in terms of the odour, colour, and taste of najs (impurity), then the animals are not categorized as Jallalah (contaminated) animals. Hence, the usage of BSFL as animal feed is permissible (Halal) and is classified as Tahsiniyyat (luxuries) based on Maqasid al-Shariah.