Szlachciuk Julita, Żakowska-Biemans Sylwia
Department of Food Market and Consumer Research, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 159c, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland.
Foods. 2024 Mar 20;13(6):944. doi: 10.3390/foods13060944.
Insects are a potential source of protein for direct human consumption or indirectly in processed foods. The research examined consumer perceptions and beliefs regarding the consumption of insects and food products containing insect proteins. The study aimed to identify beliefs about insect consumption, assess the perception of food products containing added insect proteins, and gain a deeper understanding of the role of food neophobia in accepting insects as an alternative source of protein. The data were collected in 2023 through a cross-sectional quantitative online survey of a group that was representative of consumers by age, gender, and region sample ( = 1000) who were responsible for food purchasing decisions in their households. While many respondents viewed foods enriched with insect protein as innovative and environmentally friendly, others found the idea of consuming insects repulsive and expressed concerns about potential allergic reactions. Food neophobia was a determining factor in respondents' beliefs and perceptions regarding the consumption of insects and food products containing insect proteins. Respondents were more inclined to consume products with added insect protein rather than visibly identifiable insects. The results highlight the need for targeted marketing strategies and product development approaches to align with the varied expectations of consumers in the rapidly expanding insect-based food market.
昆虫是人类直接食用或间接用于加工食品的潜在蛋白质来源。该研究调查了消费者对食用昆虫及含有昆虫蛋白的食品的看法和观念。该研究旨在确定有关食用昆虫的观念，评估对含有添加昆虫蛋白的食品的认知，并更深入地了解食物恐新症在接受昆虫作为替代蛋白质来源方面所起的作用。数据于2023年通过对一组在年龄、性别和地区样本方面具有消费者代表性的人群（n = 1000）进行的横断面定量在线调查收集，这些人负责家庭中的食品采购决策。虽然许多受访者认为富含昆虫蛋白的食品具有创新性且环保，但其他人觉得食用昆虫的想法令人厌恶，并对潜在的过敏反应表示担忧。食物恐新症是受访者对食用昆虫及含有昆虫蛋白的食品的看法和认知的一个决定性因素。受访者更倾向于食用添加了昆虫蛋白的产品，而不是明显可辨认出昆虫的产品。结果凸显了需要有针对性的营销策略和产品开发方法，以符合快速发展的昆虫基食品市场中消费者的不同期望。
