Dispensary Corner

FURNITURE giant Ikea is doing its bit for healthy, sustainable food with the company’s “future living lab” coming up with five new dishes including a version of its famous meatballs made from mealworms rather than meat.

The Copenhagen research facility called Space10 has also unveiled mealworm-based “Bug Burgers,” with one of the scientists noting that “insects generally contain more protein and are lower in fat than traditional meats and have about 20 times higher food conversion efficiency”.

Another new item (pictured) is the “dogless hotdog” which has green spirulin-based bread wrapped around glazed baby carrots and cucumbers.

Don’t panic - Ikea apparently has “no immediate plans” to introduce the new foods to its global store network. AND while we’re on the subject of nutrition innovation, a US fast food chain called Sonic has announced the debut of new “pickle juice slushies”.

The bright green vegetableflavoured ice product will also be available in snow cone form, with respected restaurant review magazine Food & Wine saying “sweet and tangy, the bright brine compensates for the over-savoriness you might have been worried about”.