Exploring Consumer Acceptance of Entomophagy: A Survey and Experiment in Australia and the Netherlands

Lensvelt, Eveline; Steenbekkers, L.P.A.

doi:10.1080/03670244.2013.879865

Cited by 188 publications

(196 citation statements)

References 17 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

172

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Giving people a taste experience, the so-called 'bug banquets' (17) . Consumers in Australia and The Netherlands, who had eaten insects before, had a more positive attitude towards entomophagy than the people who had not (114) . 2.…”

Section: Consumer Attitudesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Conversely, the majority of the respondents in Australia and the Netherlands indicated that there were no risks associated with eating insects. Information was seen as trustworthy when provided by scientific researchers, persons familiar with using the product, the government and well-known relatives, but not when promoted by food producers or famous persons (114) . Risk perception is likely to be derived from deliberative information processing (115) .…”

Section: Use Role Models For Example In the Insectmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Edible insects are the future?

2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The global increase in demand for meat and the limited land area available prompt the search for alternative protein sources. Also the sustainability of meat production has been questioned. Edible insects as an alternative protein source for human food and animal feed are interesting in terms of low greenhouse gas emissions, high feed conversion efficiency, low land use, and their ability to transform low value organic side streams into high value protein products. More than 2000 insect species are eaten mainly in tropical regions. The role of edible insects in the livelihoods and nutrition of people in tropical countries is discussed, but this food source is threatened. In the Western world, there is an increasing interest in edible insects, and examples are given. Insects as feed, in particular as aquafeed, have a large potential. Edible insects have about the same protein content as conventional meat and more PUFA. They may also have some beneficial health effects. Edible insects need to be processed and turned into palatable dishes. Food safety may be affected by toxicity of insects, contamination with pathogens, spoilage during conservation and allergies. Consumer attitude is a major issue in the Western world and a number of strategies are proposed to encourage insect consumption. We discuss research pathways to make insects a viable sector in food and agriculture: an appropriate disciplinary focus, quantifying its importance, comparing its nutritional value to conventional protein sources, environmental benefits, safeguarding food safety, optimising farming, consumer acceptance and gastronomy.

show abstract

Section: Consumer Attitudesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Use Role Models For Example In the Insectmentioning

confidence: 99%

Edible insects are the future?

2016

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The acceptance of entomophagy (the consumption of insect-based food by humans) is influenced by price, taste, availability, and established cultural preferences [90][91][92]. Humans tend to avoid unfamiliar food and it is advisable to address perceptions that insect-based foods are unpalatable [93].…”

Section: Consumer Acceptancementioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainable farming of the mealworm Tenebrio molitor for the production of food and feed

Grau

Vilcinskas

Joop

2017

Zeitschrift Für Naturforschung C

139

100

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract:The farming of edible insects is an alternative strategy for the production of protein-rich food and feed with a low ecological footprint. The industrial production of insect-derived protein is more cost-effective and energy-efficient than livestock farming or aquaculture. The mealworm Tenebrio molitor is economically among the most important species used for the large-scale conversion of plant biomass into protein. Here, we review the mass rearing of this species and its conversion into food and feed, focusing on challenges such as the contamination of food/feed products with bacteria from the insect gut and the risk of rapidly spreading pathogens and parasites. We propose solutions to prevent the outbreak of infections among farmed insects without reliance on antibiotics. Transgenerational immune priming and probiotic bacteria may provide alternative strategies for sustainable insect farming.

show abstract

“…Existing research has looked at overall levels of acceptance in general population samples (Ruby et al, 2015;Verbeke, 2015) and examined willingness to consume in relation to attitudes, traits and demographic variables (e.g. Hartmann et al, 2015;Lensvelt and Steenbekkers, 2014;Schösler et al, 2012;Vanonhacker et al, 2013). A study undertaken at the University of Parma with 135 university students found that individual attitudes, based on the perceived environmental and health benefits of insects, were the most significant determinants of participants' willingness to consume products containing insect flour (Sogari et al, 2015).…”

Section: The Psychological the Social And The Political Marketing Anmentioning

confidence: 99%

Insects as food and feed: European perspectives on recent research and future priorities

Payne

Dobermann

Forkes

et al. 2016

JIFF

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This paper discusses the current state and priorities of Europe-based research on insects as food and feed, based on presentations at a workshop held in December 2015, and discussions that followed. We divide research into studies that focus on farming, health and nutrition, and those that prioritise psychological, social and political concerns. Edible insects are not necessarily universally beneficial. However, certain food insects can convert organic waste material, and provide nutrient-rich protein for humans and animals. Recent research is not concordant when trying to identify social and psychological barriers to insects as food in Europe, indicating the complexity of the issue of consumer acceptance. Innovative means of marketing insects as food include 3D printing, scientific comics, and the promotion of rural food culture in an urban setting. Edible insects are intimately connected to strong cultural and regional values, and their increasing commercialisation may empower and/or disenfranchise those who hold such values. We conclude with a discussion about the future priorities of edible insect research in Europe. We acknowledge the political nature of the 'entomophagy' movement. With legislative change, the insect food industry potential presents an opportunity to challenge the dynamics of current food systems. We identify the following priorities for future research: the need to better understand environmental impacts of insect procurement on both a regional and global scale, to investigate factors affecting the safety and quality of insect foods, to acknowledge the complexity of consumer acceptance, and to monitor the social and economic impacts of this growing industry.

show abstract

Exploring Consumer Acceptance of Entomophagy: A Survey and Experiment in Australia and the Netherlands

Cited by 188 publications

References 17 publications

Edible insects are the future?

Edible insects are the future?

Sustainable farming of the mealworm Tenebrio molitor for the production of food and feed

Insects as food and feed: European perspectives on recent research and future priorities

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About