October 17, 2023, by pczmj
“I assume it’s fairly fashionable”: New analysis explores younger meat-eaters’ sustainable meals consumption habits.
This put up is by Dr Qian Yang, Assistant Professor in Sensory and Shopper Science and Hannah Ford, PhD pupil in Sensory and Shopper Science.
Shoppers are influential in figuring out the success of recent merchandise and future meals developments. As the marketplace for sustainable meals continues to broaden, there’s a want to know how customers’ consumption habits and perceptions are altering. Are customers consciously transferring away from animal derived merchandise? How will protein options assist dietary transitions? Younger adults’ meals selections are of specific curiosity, as they arguably form the way forward for meals.
We lately revealed a brand new research aimed to make clear these subjects by reviewing younger meat-eaters present consumption (i.e., meat discount, adoption of plant-based meat/seafood) in addition to perceptions in direction of novel future protein options (i.e., cell-based meat/seafood and precision fermented dairy).
By means of a sequence of focus teams, this research discovered a basic development in direction of meat discount, an consciousness of the hyperlink between meals and local weather change and an optimistic view on new meals applied sciences taking part in a supportive function in future protein transitions. New-found self-sufficiency gained from transferring away from residence, alongside restricted meals budgets and the affect of others created adjustments in consumption, which signifies the significance of this transitional life stage on the formation of recent behaviours. Nevertheless, obstacles recognized a lack of know-how on quantifying the environmental impression of meals, which led to uncertainty round how finest to make sustainable meals selections. This data hole was particularly obvious for dairy and seafood in comparison with meat. To some extent this was mirrored within the acceptance of plant-based merchandise, during which customers had elevated consumption of plant-based meat however had little expertise or curiosity in making an attempt plant-based seafood.
Some key enablers and obstacles in direction of shopper acceptance for the completely different options had been highlighted:
- Enablers for plant-based meat/ seafood included comfort, constructive sensory experiences and the affect of others, while obstacles had been associated to detrimental well being connotations and over-processing.
- Enablers for cell-based meat/ seafood and precision fermented dairy included animal welfare, curiosity and optimised diet, while obstacles associated to wider shopper acceptance, affordability and unnaturalness.
This analysis suggests alternatives for intervention methods aiming to encourage extra sustainable meals consumption habits amongst younger meat-eaters. Notably, public consciousness across the environmental impression of meals must be emphasised.
To search out out extra, the paper will be accessed right here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S019566632302487X
Ford, H., Gould, J., Danner, L., Bastian, S.E.P., & Yang, Q. (2023). “I assume it’s fairly fashionable”: A qualitative perception into younger meat-eaters’ sustainable meals consumption habits and perceptions in direction of present and future protein options. Urge for food. 190, 107025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2023.107025
