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Netizens criticize Calvin Cheng’s controversial ‘wealthy eat meat, masses dine on insects’ remark
Netizens criticized Calvin Cheng for sarcastically suggesting that during a food crisis, the wealthy would eat meat while others would be left with insects. They questioned if he had tried insects himself and criticized his remarks as perpetuating a class divide, implying the wealthy could afford meat while commoners should settle for insects.
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SINGAPORE: Netizens were taken aback by Calvin Cheng, a Singaporean businessman and former Nominated Member of Parliament, for his recent controversial and sarcastic remarks on the Singapore Food Agency’s (SFA) approval of 16 species of insects for consumption in Singapore.
The approved species include crickets, grasshoppers, locusts, mealworms, and silkworms.
In his comment, Mr Cheng suggested that during a food crisis, the wealthy would still have access to meat, while the masses and heartlanders would be left with mealworms at kopitiams and hawker centres, facetiously labelling it as “good news!”
His suggestion that insects could serve as a nutritional source for ordinary Singaporeans, while meat might become scarce during a crisis, was swiftly criticized by netizens.
They questioned whether Mr Cheng had ever tried insects himself and pointed out a perceived sense of entitlement in his statement, which implied a class divide by suggesting that commoners should eat insects while the wealthy enjoy meat.
SFA approves 16 insect species for food
On 8 July, SFA released a statement outlining the new regulatory framework for the import of insects and insect products for both human consumption and as animal feed.
SFA emphasized its commitment to food safety in Singapore, developing specific guidelines due to the emerging insect industry and the novelty of insects as food.
“With immediate effect, SFA will allow the import of insects and insect products belonging to species that have been assessed to be of low regulatory concern. These insects and insect products can be used for human consumption or as animal feed for food producing animals, ” SFA said.
SFA stated that importers or insect farmers must comply with guidelines, verifying insects are farmed in regulated establishments with food safety controls, not harvested from the wild.
Insects not among SFA’s approved 16 species must undergo evaluation to confirm their safety for consumption.
Companies selling pre-packed food containing insects must label their products accordingly, enabling consumers to make informed purchasing decisions.
Insect products will undergo rigorous food safety testing; those failing to meet SFA standards will not be permitted for sale.
Commenting on the latest SFA announcement, Mr. Cheng emphasized the critical need for food self-sufficiency in Singapore, particularly highlighted during crisis.
He pointed out that Singapore faced food shortages during the pandemic when Malaysia halted poultry exports and Thailand ceased rice exports.
Mr Cheng acknowledged that while vertical farming could potentially achieve vegetable self-sufficiency in Singapore, the challenge lies in rearing animals for meat due to limited land availability.
He proposed that insects, rich in protein and easily farmable in Singapore, could serve as an alternative protein source during food crises.
“During a food crisis , the wealthy would still eat meat. But the masses and heartlanders will be able dine on meal worms at kopitiams and hawkers centres. ”
“This is good news !” He wrote.
In response, some netizens questioned whether Mr Cheng’s remark was meant sarcastically.
Criticism also surfaced, suggesting that Mr Cheng implied a class divide by suggesting that only the wealthy would continue consuming meat during a food crisis, thereby perpetuating an economic disparity where affluent individuals can afford traditional protein sources while others are relegated to insect-based diets.
A comment questioned whether Mr Cheng was insinuating that those in high positions are disconnected from the realities faced by ordinary Singaporeans.
This comment implied that such individuals may not fully comprehend or empathize with the challenges encountered by the general population.
Discussions revolved around the cultural and psychological barriers to accepting insects as a food source.
Some highlighted that while insects might be nutritious, overcoming societal aversion to them would pose a significant challenge.
One netizen expressed concerns about the safety of consuming insects.
In response, Mr Cheng advised that insects are healthier than animals and suggested that the public would soon be compelled to adopt insects as a food source.
While netizens acknowledged that insect consumption is common in some countries and that Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) uses insects such as cockroaches, they also suggested exploring alternative protein sources that do not carry the same perceived risks, such as plant-based proteins or lab-grown meat.
Perception of insects as exotic and niche among consumers
A comment made a valid point that insects might be considered exotic and appealing mainly to adventurous eaters.
The netizen believed that the majority of consumers would not willingly spend money on insect-based food.
He suggested using Singapore’s offshore islands to grow crops and rear animals, and mentioned that vertical farming could also be beneficial.
In response, Mr Cheng noted the limitation of space and quipped, “Only insects for the masses.”
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Don’t eat too many worms or snakes. otherwise become lazy and fall asleep in white house. tsk tsk tsk
No need to publish this article. A total waste of my screen time to read about what this clown thinks.
S3
I won’t mind eating bugs … bunny 🙂
Waste not thy words or wisdom, … on a waster and attention seeker !!!
Hence, I’ve limited myself to 20 words, … herein !!!
Noticed in a Sec Sch many vehicles parked there on a Sat. This is usually not the case at any times of the year.
Speculate teachers preparing for GE. And getting the school premises usage for Polling.
Calvin’s past controversial comments have shown to lack intellectual substance.Just ignore whatever nonsense he expresses now because if you don’t,it will spoil your day.Only fools would utter what Calvin did.
Guys, hold your horses! Calvin Cheng said: “During a food crisis , the wealthy would still eat meat. But the masses and heartlanders will be able dine on meal worms at kopitiams and hawkers centres. ” Many will have different opinions with that statements. If you were him, what was him trying to tell you or stirs you? Don’t just jump into a statement without much thoughts, that was how pap get this far with their promises to us. Our parents and grandparents are mostly not well educated or naive (education doesn’t make one less naive). They believed in promises… Read more »
I feel that what Cheng said is inline with what Lawrence Wrong said earlier about feeling good without material achievement. They are both telling sgreans that we should be happy if we have no money to buy the good stuff. We should be happy taking and squeezing in their crowded public transport every morning if you cannot buy a car. You should be happy with eating insects of you cannot afford meats. Don’t blame them for drawing high salary, staying in Ridout road, drive luxurious car, eat meat if you cannot afford these. Kinda reminds us of The 8 Show… Read more »
S4
S5
Reminder that the POS Calvin Cheng has a profile page on the World Economic Forum website.
Yes, the same WEF which promoted the eating of insects back in 2021, the WEF which your PAP technocrats love to kowtow to.
In times of a food crisis and we have insects to eat, we should bow our heads and give thanks..
Our parents used to tell us stories of ww2 and how they had to survive on grass and such things that they were forced to swallow or die…so sad.
Anybody who think that during a SEVERE food crisis, the poor will quietly eat creepy crawlies while the elites continue with their fares is sadly mistaken.
Think carefully! Les Misérables
Mr Calvin can start first. There are plenty of “free-range” insects for him to enjoy in Singapore’s numerous parks and nature reserves. Perhaps he is floating a “trail balloon” on behalf of his masters. All of them should consider switching to insects first before forcing taxpayers who fund them to do so. The Istana should be the first to switch from serving meat to insects and serve it up for everyone there to enjoy. Wasn’t it the ruling government that evicted small-scale farmers from their lands, “buying” it up at low-prices to sell it to HDB and private developers at… Read more »
This maggot is another attention seeker. Everyone should just ignore him to make him feel he is of no importance even to the insects he’s promoting.
Ah gua cheng.
A desperately seeking attention Fucktard of a ex-ncmpee!??
This chap make some nasty remarks about Muslim children terror.
Strange, he was nvr censored afa I understand.
In a food crisis, CC’s meat is falling down from the sky like manna. Some say stupidly has no cure. This one fits. However a possibility of a food crisis looms because of global warming and costs. So the population should be decreased not increased but PRs waiting to buy their own properties are waiting for their citizenships. We, the present population will be the casualties of the PAP policy of foreign growth. Vote wisely if you want to survive.
PCC short video on youtube (copied from PPAP)
”
I have a park on my left hand
I have a Calvin Cheng on my right hand
Urhhh….(making left and right hands come together)
We have this man called “park calvin cheng”, pcc in short.
Urhhhh….pcc is park chiu cheng (“master bed”) in hokkien
“
Same as “mee siam mai hum”, “Let them eat cake”. These are all elite comments. The elite power has take root in Singapore and control Singapore. They know nothing about ordinary and poor and they care not the ordinary and poor. Too many elite rule Singapore not a good sign.
Criticising for the sake of criticism on him is pure waste and futility.
Reduce comments to ZERO cz this chap just prone to seek attention when he hardly qualify for critical cracks on what he does.
Next Iwould certainly spray faeces on his face which is the best for attn hunters.