Why is eating bugs common in many parts of the world but regulated differently in the United States?

While eating bugs might seem strange to Western audiences, approximately 2 billion people worldwide consume insects as part of their daily diet. In many countries, wild-caught bugs are commonly sold for consumption, representing a normal dietary practice across various cultures. However, in the United States, the FDA has banned the sale of wild-caught bugs for human consumption. Instead, American companies must specifically raise insects intended for human food according to strict regulations. This regulatory difference highlights the contrast between cultural acceptance of entomophagy globally and the more controlled approach taken in Western countries.