MADRID, April 18 (Xinhua) -- The supermarket chain Carrefour on Tuesday began to sell food products containing grasshoppers and worms, giving wide scale commercialization to insects as a food source for the first time in Spain.

However, the arrival of insects on Spanish supermarket shelves is not quite as challenging as some more timid clients may expect, given that they have been processed into a range of produce ranging from energy bars to snacks and even pasta.

Carrefour explains the line of insect based products is to "offer customers the most innovative products and to incorporate alternative food sources, which respect the environment," adding that insects form an important part of many diets elsewhere in the world.

"According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, insects are consumed by over 2 billion people and are considered a food of the future," says the company.

Carrefour also indicates that the production of insects as a food means reduction of greenhouse gases and that the eating of insects is becoming increasingly popular, given their healthy properties.

"According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization insects are rich in protein, in vitamins, B1, B2 and B3 and contain Omega 3 and 6, along with amino acids and minerals such as iron," says the supermarket.

The sale of insects as food was approved by the European Union at the start of 2018, and previously the lack of regulation meant they could not be sold in Spain for public health reasons.