0:00:06 > 0:00:09Hello, I'm Sean Fletcher. You are watching Inside Out London.
0:00:09 > 0:00:15Tonight... We go undercover to expose the rogue
0:00:15 > 0:00:19beauticians illegally offering teeth whitening treatments.It is
0:00:19 > 0:00:22disgusting, it is putting lives at risk during dental procedure is not
0:00:22 > 0:00:30in the dental surgery.Disfigured in battle, how cosmetic surgeons more
0:00:30 > 0:00:35used to Botox are helping our soldiers...My movement now is
0:00:35 > 0:00:38fantastic, but a struggle to move it but now I have full movement. It
0:00:38 > 0:00:45hurt or stretch.And would you be brave enough to eat this? -- it does
0:00:45 > 0:00:47not hurt or stretch.
0:00:54 > 0:01:00Teeth-whitening is one of the most popular cosmetic treatments
0:01:00 > 0:01:04in the UK ? and needs dental training to carry out safely.
0:01:04 > 0:01:09But an undercover investigation by Inside Out London has exposed
0:01:09 > 0:01:11rogue beauticians selling illegal whitening treatments and potentially
0:01:11 > 0:01:13putting the public in danger.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17Guy Lynn has this exclusive report.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21Check out those Hollywood grins.
0:01:21 > 0:01:27With more and more celebrities showing off their sparkling whites,
0:01:27 > 0:01:30it's no surprise demand for teeth whitening is on the up.
0:01:30 > 0:01:35Most dentists now offer a teeth whitening service.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37And after a series of treatments, patients can have
0:01:37 > 0:01:41dramatically whiter teeth.
0:01:41 > 0:01:51It's safe, but only if a dental professional does it.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53With high demand ? some beauticians are now illegally
0:01:53 > 0:01:55offering the treatment...
0:01:55 > 0:01:59Luring customers in with cheaper prices...
0:01:59 > 0:02:04We've had a tip off about a salon off the Edgware Road...
0:02:04 > 0:02:07You get £50 off each anyway.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09Ashleigh Smith charges 100 pounds for teeth whitening.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12Ok - well I'll talk you through everything as we're doing it.
0:02:12 > 0:02:13She seems to imply she's got qualifications.
0:02:14 > 0:02:14Yeah, I'm trained.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16Yeah, I'm qualified, yeah, yeah.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18She performs the dental procedure she's not allowed to do.
0:02:18 > 0:02:19You ok, darling?
0:02:19 > 0:02:21You just relax!
0:02:21 > 0:02:24And we discover her only qualification is a one day course
0:02:24 > 0:02:28with a tooth whitening firm.
0:02:28 > 0:02:34If you're seeing someone on the high street that's attended a one day
0:02:34 > 0:02:35course and putting that into perspective, dentists attend
0:02:35 > 0:02:38a five year training programme in order to qualify,
0:02:38 > 0:02:39you're putting yourself in harms way.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41Megan is a qualified dental hygienist at this
0:02:41 > 0:02:46Harley Street practice.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49She's undergone three years training to be allowed to whiten
0:02:49 > 0:02:50George's teeth today.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54I think it just makes them look
0:02:54 > 0:02:56a lot healthier.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58She applies several rounds of a powerful bleaching agent
0:02:58 > 0:03:00to turn his teeth white.
0:03:00 > 0:03:06And an ultra powerful light quickens the process.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08Legally - only a dentist or a regulated profesional such
0:03:08 > 0:03:11as a hygienist may do this with a dentist's prescription.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14If this is used incorrectly, it can cause damage to the gums,
0:03:14 > 0:03:17specifically causing kind of burns and things.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19And should worse case scenario there ever be
0:03:19 > 0:03:21a medical emergency arise, we can ensure that the patient
0:03:21 > 0:03:25is in safe hands.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28For public safety, it's mandatory for anyone performing
0:03:28 > 0:03:34the procedure to be registered with the General Dental Council.
0:03:34 > 0:03:35The GDC.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38And surprise, surprise ? we discover none of the beauticians
0:03:38 > 0:03:43who want to whiten our teeth feature on the list...
0:03:43 > 0:03:47Our next appointment is at Aanu's Beauty Salon in Ilford.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50Our researcher's told to sit down for the procedure.
0:03:50 > 0:03:55A mould is prepared and filled with whitening gel.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58Then they tell us we have to put the mould in ourselves.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00You can do it yourself.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02Why's that then?
0:04:02 > 0:04:05Because that's what the law is, when you go, when you do it,
0:04:05 > 0:04:07you have to put it in yourself.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09And the manager confirms that...
0:04:09 > 0:04:10It's just because if you go
0:04:10 > 0:04:13to a dentist ? they're practitioners so they can carry out the treatment
0:04:13 > 0:04:16? whereas we're not allowed to ? we can only supervise.
0:04:16 > 0:04:23The procedure's supposed to last an hour...
0:04:23 > 0:04:29But we abort after a few minutes, pretending it's causing pain...
0:04:29 > 0:04:32The GDC has seen an increase in the number of so-called self
0:04:32 > 0:04:33administer processes.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36The GDC position is that these processess are still illegal.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39Where an indivdual provides advice, treatment or attendance ie tooth
0:04:39 > 0:04:41whitening on a member of the public - they're engaged
0:04:41 > 0:04:47in illegal activity.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49There are numerous kits and toothpastes we can
0:04:49 > 0:04:52all buy on the high street to whiten our own teeth safely.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55They contain tiny amounts ? less than 0.01% of the bleaching
0:04:55 > 0:04:59agent hydrogen peroxide.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03Anything stronger - up to 6% - may only be prescribed by a dentist.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06Higher than that's illegal.
0:05:06 > 0:05:10There's been a worrying development.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13Hi there, can you tell me if you do teeth whitening?
0:05:13 > 0:05:15Yes I do.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17I charge 75 pounds.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19We've come across this beautician:
0:05:19 > 0:05:22Fran Lowe from West Ham, who we suspect may be offering
0:05:22 > 0:05:27hydrogen peroxide at 25%...
0:05:27 > 0:05:29The first shock when we arrive for treatment at Fran's
0:05:29 > 0:05:34is where it's at...
0:05:34 > 0:05:36Hello, hi, nice to meet you.
0:05:36 > 0:05:37Not a dental surgery.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39Or a clinic.
0:05:39 > 0:05:40Nice house.
0:05:40 > 0:05:45Thank you.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47I'm sorry, you're in my bedroom by the way.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49She charges 75 pounds, which includes scraping the teeth
0:05:49 > 0:05:52to get them ready for whitening.
0:05:52 > 0:05:57In itself ? a criminal offence, as she's performing dentistry.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59Don't touch that, because if it gets on your hands it
0:05:59 > 0:06:01will burn your hands!
0:06:01 > 0:06:03Then she tells us what strength peroxide.
0:06:03 > 0:06:04It does have hydrogen peroxide?
0:06:04 > 0:06:08Yeah, it does, yeah, 25%.
0:06:08 > 0:06:09Remember dentists can only administer hydrogen
0:06:09 > 0:06:13peroxide at 6%...
0:06:13 > 0:06:16She's offering a gel that contains over four times that.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18So what impact will that have on your gums?
0:06:18 > 0:06:23We asked dentist Ben Atkins to test it out.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26Apply hydrogen peroxide at varying percentages to some slices of meat ?
0:06:26 > 0:06:28representing the gums.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32First, less than 0.01% - the strength allowed
0:06:32 > 0:06:33over the counter...
0:06:33 > 0:06:37Virtually no effect...
0:06:37 > 0:06:40And this is 6%, the professional level - again you can see small
0:06:40 > 0:06:46amounts of response...
0:06:46 > 0:06:53Finally at higher than 25% - the strength Fran wants to use.
0:06:53 > 0:06:54Oh wow, look at that.
0:06:54 > 0:07:02That's impressive.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05So that would be illegal in the UK.
0:07:05 > 0:07:06And you can really see that.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08It's taken the pigment out.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10Imagine the pain you'd have if it was your mouth,
0:07:10 > 0:07:13I wouldn't want that in my mouth, it would be devastating.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15The authorities have seized kits sold with excessive levels
0:07:15 > 0:07:17of the bleach via the internet. And treatments with rogue
0:07:17 > 0:07:19beauticians have put a number of people in hospital.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22Just look at the damage to the nerves and gum.
0:07:22 > 0:07:23Teeth loss, burns and blisters.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27And if you want to know how that feels ? ask Richard.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30It can only be described as a really really sharp excruciating pain.
0:07:30 > 0:07:35And it went on for a good 45 minutes.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38He was given hydrogen peroxide many times the UK legal limit
0:07:38 > 0:07:42in a procedure with a beautician that went wrong.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45And a few days later they became very raw and very sensitive.
0:07:45 > 0:07:51Basically it was like open sores.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53After about 6 months, I started to realise
0:07:53 > 0:07:55that the sensitivity wasn't going to go away.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58I'll assume I'll have very sensitive teeth for the rest of my life.
0:07:58 > 0:08:05Back at Fran's ? she knows what she's doing is illegal.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08Obviously you know in all honesty ? you're not supposed
0:08:08 > 0:08:10to use what I use, it's for the dentist isn't it?
0:08:10 > 0:08:13That's why you pay 300 pounds to go and have your teeth
0:08:13 > 0:08:15done at the dentist.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18It's important to check if she'll really go ahead ? we know she has
0:08:18 > 0:08:20lots of customers on her books.
0:08:20 > 0:08:21If it does dry then
0:08:21 > 0:08:27obviously I'll take it off..
0:08:27 > 0:08:28First, Fran gives us a gum shield.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30Bite down now, that's it.
0:08:30 > 0:08:31Then she starts applying the hydrogen peroxide
0:08:31 > 0:08:33to the teeth...
0:08:33 > 0:08:34What's that?
0:08:34 > 0:08:36This is the peroxide.
0:08:36 > 0:08:37That's the hydrogen peroxide?
0:08:37 > 0:08:38Yes.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41We've taken dental advice and abort straight away to cause no damage.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43COUGHING.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47Do you want to take it off?
0:08:47 > 0:08:48You do?
0:08:48 > 0:08:50Take it off.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52You better not take that gum shield out yet.
0:08:52 > 0:08:53Usually Fran says she'd leave the peroxide
0:08:53 > 0:08:56on for well over an hour.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58As we depart she sells us a whitening syringe
0:08:58 > 0:09:01filled with banned levels of bleaching agent...
0:09:01 > 0:09:0222%.
0:09:02 > 0:09:03Actually, it's 22%.
0:09:03 > 0:09:04I paid you for that?
0:09:04 > 0:09:08Yeah.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10After filming our researcher has a full dental check up,
0:09:10 > 0:09:18and gets the all clear for no damage.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20Ben Atkins treats people after they've had botched hydrogen
0:09:20 > 0:09:23peroxide operations.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26We showed him our undercover footage ? and he says it's
0:09:26 > 0:09:27the worst he's seen.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30It's putting a patient's life at risk doing dental procedures not
0:09:30 > 0:09:31in the dental surgery.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34Bite down now, that's it.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37I see the other side when things have gone wrong and patients
0:09:37 > 0:09:38come into my surgery.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40And I have got to deal with it.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43I've seen patients go abroad and have their teeth butchered.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45But in my own country, having it here and seeing this -
0:09:45 > 0:09:54it's astounding - it shouldn't happen.
0:09:54 > 0:10:04Ashley Smith claimed she used the save non-rock side gel. -- safe not
0:10:04 > 0:10:06rock side gel.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10Ashleigh Smith ignored our requests for a response.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12Aanu Beauty, who gave us gel to self administer,
0:10:12 > 0:10:13says it wasn't peroxide and safe.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16They claim their supplier assured them there was no need to be
0:10:16 > 0:10:18a dental professional to do teeth whitening.
0:10:18 > 0:10:19They say they've stopped.
0:10:19 > 0:10:20But what about Fran Lowe?
0:10:20 > 0:10:22She denied buying, storing or using peroxide gels on customers.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25She claims she said she did to get a sale.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28She then said she wasn't aware what she was doing was illegal
0:10:28 > 0:10:38and now says she's stopped doing teeth whitening altogether.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45As for the gel she sold us which breaks down to 700 times
0:10:45 > 0:10:47the legal limit of Hydrogen Peroxide a non dental
0:10:48 > 0:10:49professional can use....
0:10:49 > 0:10:50We'll be handing that to the authorities.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52The GDC says illegal reports are rising.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54And during our investigation we heard of other beauticians
0:10:54 > 0:10:56ignoring all the warnings and playing roulette
0:10:56 > 0:10:58with patient safety.
0:10:58 > 0:11:05Guy Lynn reporting. Still to come... There are around 2000 different
0:11:05 > 0:11:11species of beetles, bugs, crickets and aunts. They are nutritious,
0:11:11 > 0:11:15environmentally sustainable and can bring us out of food poverty --
0:11:15 > 0:11:24ants. Maybe it's more yum than yuck!
0:11:24 > 0:11:25Soldiers wounded in combat often receive vital
0:11:25 > 0:11:26surgeries from the NHS...
0:11:26 > 0:11:28But tight budgets mean that their scars don't always
0:11:28 > 0:11:31receive full cosmetic care.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34That's why one skin clinic in high-end Harley Street ? more
0:11:34 > 0:11:37used to offering botox and tummy tucks to the rich and famous ? has
0:11:37 > 0:11:39set up a charity to provide specialist scar treatment
0:11:39 > 0:11:42for damaged British soldiers.
0:11:42 > 0:11:48Mark Jordan has the story.
0:11:48 > 0:11:54They are survivors of Afghanistan...
0:11:54 > 0:11:57Two ex British soldiers seeking help on Harley Street.
0:11:57 > 0:11:58The NHS has
0:11:58 > 0:11:59saved their lives...
0:11:59 > 0:12:09But both now seek charity to help sooth their scars of war.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13Fashion model Trudie has come to Harley Street for what's
0:12:13 > 0:12:18nicknamed a Vampire Facelift.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21Platelet rich plasma taken from her own blood, then
0:12:21 > 0:12:22reinjected for rejuvenation and looking younger.
0:12:22 > 0:12:28Kim Kardashian swears by it!
0:12:28 > 0:12:31It's another world! Dr Khan has found the same process
0:12:31 > 0:12:40can radically help the agonising scars of wounded soldiers.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43It all started when Mark called up wanting to pay for help to ease
0:12:43 > 0:12:46his tightening scars.
0:12:46 > 0:12:52Good to see you!
0:12:52 > 0:12:57We found he couldn't straighten arm
0:12:57 > 0:13:00properly and being in a wheelchair it helped a great deal
0:13:00 > 0:13:02when we were able to improve flexibility of scars.
0:13:02 > 0:13:03I was shocked.
0:13:03 > 0:13:09I didn't know you could change a scar!
0:13:09 > 0:13:12You have this hard area where graft is stitched ? so it
0:13:12 > 0:13:14will help with that. When Mark came in it
0:13:14 > 0:13:18touched my wife and my heart and we wanted to do something.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22Dr Khan treated Mark for free and set up the Back on Track charity
0:13:22 > 0:13:32to help ten veterans a year.
0:13:32 > 0:13:37This technique we use for rejuvenation for people who want
0:13:37 > 0:13:40younger better skin but also very useful for scars.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44I was out on foot patrol early in the morning ? found a big ditch,
0:13:44 > 0:13:46started sweeping in ditch.
0:13:46 > 0:13:51Stepped in it.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55That was it.
0:13:55 > 0:13:56Big bang...
0:13:56 > 0:13:58It was all slow motion at the time.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00Next thing I remember is getting tourniquets on my legs.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02I lost both my legs instantly from the blast.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04I could hear the blades.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07They like to keep you awake so they can see you are still alive.
0:14:07 > 0:14:11With NHS they go so far with you to bring you back to life ?
0:14:11 > 0:14:14make sure everything is healed up.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16But Harley Street can just make the scars better
0:14:16 > 0:14:21for when you get older.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24That is all done.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26The movement now is fantastic ? before couldn't move,
0:14:26 > 0:14:33now have full movement and it doesn't hurt or stretch.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35So, after being stretchered off the frontline comes this
0:14:35 > 0:14:40controversial grey line between NHS and private.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42After saving a soldier's life, should the NHS then offer
0:14:42 > 0:14:45every treatment possible?
0:14:45 > 0:14:50As technology advances more and more
0:14:50 > 0:14:52conditions are treatable and the NHS can't possibly
0:14:52 > 0:14:53keep up with providing
0:14:53 > 0:14:57a service for absolutely everything.
0:14:57 > 0:15:02Next up, former Lance corporal Martyn Compton...
0:15:03 > 0:15:07Hello, come on in...
0:15:07 > 0:15:09The scars and burns he sustained threaten his sight and mobility.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12The sole survivor of an Afghan attack on his light tank.
0:15:12 > 0:15:17It was a planned ambush....
0:15:17 > 0:15:19Unfortunately the guys in back were killed on impact
0:15:19 > 0:15:25of the IED they set off.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29As they impacted the IED they then shot rocket grenades at me ? blew
0:15:29 > 0:15:33the engine up and it engulfed me in flames.
0:15:33 > 0:15:39I remember all this till getting on the Chinook and last words
0:15:39 > 0:15:45were 'you'll be alright mate, stay with us.' I died 3 times.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48Woke up three months later in Essex in Chelmsford.
0:15:48 > 0:15:53The hospital was killing me and I just wanted to get out.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57They said the only way we will let you out is to look in the mirror...
0:15:57 > 0:16:00His partner was desperate as to what she could do ? she asked
0:16:00 > 0:16:02nurses what can I do?
0:16:02 > 0:16:04The answer was straight forward - marry him.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08Give him hope!
0:16:08 > 0:16:12And that's what she gave him.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15After one year in hospital Martyn married Michelle.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19Then came the children...
0:16:19 > 0:16:23I said to Martyn when it was time to look in the mirror
0:16:23 > 0:16:26at his appearance, I said if you change as a person and become
0:16:26 > 0:16:29a recluse and stay in ? then I am walking away now.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33I was really upfront and blunt.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36I said I will walk away.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39He didn't change, so I stuck by him and we have just celebrated our
0:16:39 > 0:16:40ninth wedding anniversary.
0:16:40 > 0:16:50So for me the line is the NHS fixes me and fixes me up.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05That's how I put it - they fix me.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08But living with life they kind of forget about and there is only
0:17:08 > 0:17:10so much they can do - I guess.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13So we can see a lot of stiffness along here -
0:17:13 > 0:17:14and thickness of the skin.
0:17:14 > 0:17:15Meeting Dr Khan and hearing
0:17:15 > 0:17:17treatment is available, not on the NHS, makes my
0:17:18 > 0:17:19life so much easier.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22Him doing stuff to my scars makes arms work better - which then
0:17:22 > 0:17:23makes my life easier.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25Although Martyn has had hundreds of operations on the NHS,
0:17:25 > 0:17:27Dr Khan is still worried about his eyes...
0:17:27 > 0:17:29He has sustained severe burns to eyes and lower lids
0:17:29 > 0:17:33are non-existent - so tears pour out and don't
0:17:33 > 0:17:35lubricate his eyes and there's
0:17:35 > 0:17:39a real risk of him losing vision...
0:17:39 > 0:17:44Did you enjoy your first football game?
0:17:44 > 0:17:45If I lose my eyesight,
0:17:45 > 0:17:48then I'm not going to be able to play with my kids
0:17:48 > 0:17:49or do daily activities.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52With our eye surgeon we discovered the NHS did have a facility -
0:17:52 > 0:17:56so we were able to signpost him back in the right direction and plug him
0:17:56 > 0:17:59back into the NHS...
0:17:59 > 0:18:01While Martyn awaits that NHS appointment, he's got
0:18:01 > 0:18:03the charity fundraiser - celebs and supporters pay
0:18:03 > 0:18:09to race the veterans.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12Team spirit, team work - everything I lost and the adrenaline.
0:18:12 > 0:18:17I like to win!
0:18:17 > 0:18:20He has no legs and missing fingers but when he gets in a car -
0:18:20 > 0:18:21it makes no difference!
0:18:21 > 0:18:23He has bumped me off course!
0:18:23 > 0:18:24I wanna beat them!
0:18:24 > 0:18:25I wanna beat them.
0:18:25 > 0:18:26That doesn't change!
0:18:26 > 0:18:29I get quite emotional about it actually -
0:18:29 > 0:18:31it's so dear what they are doing for us.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33I don't want them to think we don't care.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35Many veterans here conceal the invisible scars
0:18:35 > 0:18:36of post traumatic stress.
0:18:36 > 0:18:40I was eventually diagnosed with chronic PTSD.
0:18:40 > 0:18:46I don't think there is enough help for mental health...
0:18:46 > 0:18:49We rely too much on charity like Help for Heroes and Back
0:18:49 > 0:18:51on Track and they shouldn't be doing it!
0:18:51 > 0:18:56We laid our lives down for this country.
0:18:56 > 0:19:01That was summer...
0:19:01 > 0:19:04Now it's winter - I'm back with Martyn at the NHS's
0:19:04 > 0:19:05Broomfield Hospital - he's recovering from that
0:19:05 > 0:19:08vital eye operation.
0:19:08 > 0:19:09Ok, good.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12Let's have a look...
0:19:12 > 0:19:14The graft has taken very nicely - quite a bulge there
0:19:14 > 0:19:24and everything will settle down.
0:19:24 > 0:19:35New islets crafted from his hip. -- eyelids.
0:19:35 > 0:19:36It's already a lot lot better -
0:19:36 > 0:19:37especially the inside bit.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39If it wasn't for charities I wouldn't have known
0:19:39 > 0:19:41about the treatment I could have had.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44It's the charities do the smaller things that really help.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46I don't think the NHS can provide absolutely everything for everybody
0:19:46 > 0:19:49and the ability of people to get together with a common interest
0:19:49 > 0:19:56and help people - it's a great British tradition actually!
0:19:56 > 0:19:59So, if you think you've had a bad day you might want to think again.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01How do you deal with something so life changing?
0:20:02 > 0:20:05I put it in a different way.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07I'm the one that's here today and the guys I lost aren't.
0:20:08 > 0:20:09So I get emotional about it now.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11You were the lucky one?
0:20:11 > 0:20:15Yeah.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19They are low in fat and high in protein, and in some countries they
0:20:19 > 0:20:29are considered a delicacy!
0:20:29 > 0:20:31Yet many of us Brits
0:20:31 > 0:20:32shudder at the thought
0:20:32 > 0:20:33of biting into one.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36But there's a new generation of chefs, restaurateurs and local
0:20:36 > 0:20:37businesses starting the trend for 'edible insects'.
0:20:37 > 0:20:38Still not convinced?
0:20:38 > 0:20:41Well, with knife and fork in hand can Mike Dilger
0:20:41 > 0:20:46tempt you to the table?
0:20:46 > 0:20:53There is a buzz in the air, and to some, it sounds like supper.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56Around the world two billion people regularly eat insects as part
0:20:56 > 0:20:57of their daily diet.
0:20:57 > 0:20:58So are we missing out?
0:20:58 > 0:21:01Well I've come to sample the menu at one of Britain's
0:21:01 > 0:21:03first insect eateries.
0:21:03 > 0:21:11And to discover how creepy crawlies could be our food of the future.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13Insects are considered by some as the original superfood
0:21:13 > 0:21:16for their nutritious benefits - particularly protein.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21But are they delicious?
0:21:21 > 0:21:25And tonight the team from 'Eat Grub' are dishing up a five course meal -
0:21:25 > 0:21:30made from insect ingredients.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34Joining me is Abbey Brennan, a food critic.
0:21:34 > 0:21:39Are you excited or worried? All of the above! But I'm going to go with
0:21:39 > 0:21:46it.The whole thing? LAUGHTER There is one word I thought this
0:21:46 > 0:21:50meal would be, and it's crunchy!But in a good way. A good contrast with
0:21:50 > 0:21:57the Leeds and the fruit and the crunchy insects.We have a range of
0:21:57 > 0:22:07dishes, like a tempura grasshopper, and a dish made with mealworms. We
0:22:07 > 0:22:11don't want to hide it, we want people to embrace them for what they
0:22:11 > 0:22:21are.Sharmi tells me that the insects here were bred in the UK.
0:22:21 > 0:22:31They go from X to oven ready in less than 45 days. Is it a visual thing
0:22:31 > 0:22:35with eyeballs looking at you?I was worried there would be legs
0:22:35 > 0:22:39involved! Some of it is crunchy, some of it is still in my teeth! But
0:22:39 > 0:22:44it wasn't unpleasant at all. It was really rather delicious! I really
0:22:44 > 0:22:51enjoyed it. There is scope for people to try this stuff.While
0:22:51 > 0:22:55insects are still a novelty on British menus, in Japan, the yellow
0:22:55 > 0:23:06was blase are considered a delicacy. -- wasp.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08The Mopane Caterpillar is consumed in places like Angola,
0:23:08 > 0:23:09Botswana and South Africa.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11These can be eaten dry, crunchy like potato chips,
0:23:11 > 0:23:12or drenched in sauce.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14And in Thailand soft bodied House Crickets' are farmed
0:23:14 > 0:23:15and eaten in their millions.
0:23:15 > 0:23:20By 2050, we will have two produce 50-70% more food to sustain 10
0:23:20 > 0:23:26billion people. So, could edible insects be part of the solution?
0:23:26 > 0:23:35What do you think as edible insects as a source of protein?I tasted
0:23:35 > 0:23:41some the other night. They were OK. I don't have a problem with the yuck
0:23:41 > 0:23:45factor but could they play a role in the sustainable food system of the
0:23:45 > 0:23:49future? I don't know. I don't think they tasted bad, I thought they were
0:23:49 > 0:23:54bland but yes, they are edible and they are a source of protein. If we
0:23:54 > 0:24:00could get over the yuck factor and decide we want to eat them, and they
0:24:00 > 0:24:03can be produced sustainably and affordably, it could play a part in
0:24:03 > 0:24:16our diet but I do not think it would replace sustainable meat production.
0:24:17 > 0:24:22As ingredients go, these insects are still quite expensive, and as long
0:24:22 > 0:24:26as sirloin steak remains cheaper, bugs will never be mainstream. But
0:24:26 > 0:24:28there is a company here in Derbyshire hoping to change all of
0:24:28 > 0:24:36that. Crunchy Critters claims to be the leading supplier of
0:24:36 > 0:24:44internationally sourced invertebrate ingredients in the UK. They sell
0:24:44 > 0:24:48everything to edible spiders. It's an impressive array of insects!
0:24:48 > 0:24:54Where are they coming from?Connor Mexico, Thailand, Zambia and
0:24:54 > 0:25:01Colombia.At the moment it's a niche market, what barriers preventing it
0:25:01 > 0:25:05from taking off in the UK?The price, we need to drive down the
0:25:05 > 0:25:12price and the only way we can do that is by having Manufacturing on
0:25:12 > 0:25:18an industrial, commercial scale. If you look at supplies in Holland,
0:25:18 > 0:25:23there is an insect, the buffalo worm, that they will be introducing
0:25:23 > 0:25:28wholesale in a powder form.As soon as prices drop, you'd think people
0:25:28 > 0:25:33will come flocking?Absolutely. I do know some about this... What can I
0:25:33 > 0:25:36try? I have something very interesting... Eat all of that,
0:25:36 > 0:25:47please!I do not think my mouth is that big! It is salty... Crunchy...
0:25:47 > 0:25:55Chewy... I'm not sure I can swallow... Mealworms were OK. Maybe
0:25:55 > 0:25:59the odd caterpillar but torrential as will take convincing! It is gone
0:25:59 > 0:26:05-- the tarantulas. Edible insects are a growing market
0:26:05 > 0:26:12in the UK but it is still early days. I want to find out if week
0:26:12 > 0:26:14when agriculture and create something to tempt the public's
0:26:14 > 0:26:18taste buds. There is a familiar face who can
0:26:18 > 0:26:25help. As an ex-winner of the Great British Bake Off, I'm expecting
0:26:25 > 0:26:31something creative!I've never baked with a cricket before, I'm taking on
0:26:31 > 0:26:35the challenge, this is a giant crunchy and unpacking it full of
0:26:35 > 0:26:39critters. You have a nutty and savoury hit as well as the flavour
0:26:39 > 0:26:48of the honeycomb.Do you know the extra ingredient?No. Bruce did
0:26:48 > 0:26:52cricket. No, is it really? But to be fair, it is really nice -- roasted
0:26:52 > 0:26:59cricket.Have you ever eaten invertebrates?No, it tasted quite
0:26:59 > 0:27:04nice actually!That's not as bad as I thought it would be!It is a good
0:27:04 > 0:27:06hit of protein which is environmentally sustainable.I'm
0:27:06 > 0:27:13glad you told me that!That is amazing, all I have left our crumbs.
0:27:13 > 0:27:19If you think that you are turning your nose up at eating insects,
0:27:19 > 0:27:27think that there are 2000 species of Beatles, bugs, crickets and ants
0:27:27 > 0:27:30that are nutritious and environmentally sustainable, and can
0:27:30 > 0:27:40bring us out of food poverty. Maybe less yuck and more
0:27:40 > 0:27:44yum. I reckon I could just about handle some gripes but I would draw
0:27:44 > 0:27:51the line at a tarantula! That's a about it, but before we go,
0:27:51 > 0:27:56let's see what's coming up next week... We expose how the fake fur
0:27:56 > 0:28:00you are buying could be made from factory farmed animals...These
0:28:00 > 0:28:04animals are kept in filthy and cramped cages and are killed in the
0:28:04 > 0:28:12most horrendous way. All for the sake of a decoration.How London aid
0:28:12 > 0:28:16workers are trying to make a difference to the Bernie 's refugee
0:28:16 > 0:28:25crisis...We have spoken to another lady who watched her husband be shot
0:28:25 > 0:28:33-- Burma. They are horrendous stories.And 50 years on, the iconic
0:28:33 > 0:28:38jumbo jet is still the Queen of the skies...It was wider, bigger and
0:28:38 > 0:28:42taller. Everything you can think of. It is a legend, definitely.
0:28:46 > 0:28:49That's all this week, don't forget tonight's programme is available on
0:28:49 > 0:28:51iPlayer. Head to the website.