Locusts are a sought-after delicacy in some regions of the Kingdom. However, experts are cautioning against its consumption as they could be poisonous.
Adnan Al-Khan, Director of the Saudi Center for Locust Control and Research at Ministry of Agriculture, said: “Today, locusts are not safe to eat as they were in the past days because most infested areas have been sprayed with insecticides to combat the swarms, and therefore eating locusts could be poisonous.”
He stressed that even if locusts are sold alive, it doesn’t mean that they were not treated with pesticides.
Al-Khan said that so far about SR 12 million have been spent on the purchase of insecticides to combat locust swarms.
He said efforts were made to control the sale of locusts in the Kingdom’s northern regions but it led to the emergence of a locust black market and pushed the prices to one of their highest levels. One bag of locusts was being sold at over SR 5,000.
He pointed out that they had tried to prevent the sale of locusts in the Kingdom's northern regions; but this led to the emerging of locust black market and pushed the prices to one of their highest levels, as locust bag sold for over than SR5,000.
Al-Khan stressed that the pesticides used by the Saudi Center for Locust Control and Research are safe and reliable, and approved by the World Health Organization (WHO). Its usage is also allowed by the Food and Drug Administration; however such insecticides when exposed to high temperature during boiling or roasting the locusts, may disintegrate and produce other substances which are dangerous and toxic to humans.
Dr. Ali Ashaqi, expert and consultant in environmental issues, said anyone who eats locusts for a period of seven to 10 days might expose himself to pesticides, and in turn, to major health problems that might be fatal.
Experts: Locust consumption can be dangerous
Experts: Locust consumption can be dangerous
Where We Are Going Today: Taste and Tales by Chef Shagufa
- We shared three platters among the six of us, and needless to say, the portions were generous and the flavors satisfying
Relatively new on the block, Taste and Tales by Chef Shagufa, located in Jeddah’s Al-Rehab district, has been making quite a buzz on social media.
So, on a cool Friday morning at 7:00 a.m., five of my cousins and I decided to visit the restaurant to experience its much-talked-about traditional South Asian breakfast for ourselves.
We ordered the restaurant’s hyped breakfast thali (platter), which included sooji halwa (semolina pudding), kheer (rice pudding), chickpea curry, potato curry, pickles, pooris (fried, fluffy bread), and paranthas (layered flatbread), all served in beautiful copper serveware.
We shared three platters among the six of us, and needless to say, the portions were generous and the flavors satisfying.
Personally, I enjoyed everything on the platter except the semolina pudding, which I found a little bland for my taste.
For drinks, five of us ordered milk tea, which was fairly good. One of my cousins opted for their famed Pakola lassi and couldn’t stop raving about it. Since she didn’t let any of us sample it, we’ve decided it’s something to try on our next visit.
Our total bill came to SR150 ($40), slightly higher than what nearby restaurants charge for similar breakfast platters. However, the taste, presentation, and overall ambience more than make up for the difference.
Not many South Asian restaurants in Jeddah offer decent dine-in breakfast seating for families, but Taste and Tales stands out. With its simple interiors and modest seating, the space is clean, comfortable, and welcoming. It’s definitely a place I’d visit again with my female friends, cousins, and family.
