Perceptions and acceptance of yeast-derived dairy in British Columbia, Canada

Yeast derived-dairy (YDD) produced using cellular agriculture technologies is already available for purchase in the United States, though there has been little study of public understanding of these products. Our pilot study explored consumer perception and acceptance of YDD and yeast-derived agricu...

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Main Authors: Lisa Jordan Powell, Zsofia Mendly-Zambo, Lenore Lauri Newman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2023-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1127652/full
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author Lisa Jordan Powell
Zsofia Mendly-Zambo
Lenore Lauri Newman
author_facet Lisa Jordan Powell
Zsofia Mendly-Zambo
Lenore Lauri Newman
author_sort Lisa Jordan Powell
collection DOAJ
description Yeast derived-dairy (YDD) produced using cellular agriculture technologies is already available for purchase in the United States, though there has been little study of public understanding of these products. Our pilot study explored consumer perception and acceptance of YDD and yeast-derived agriculture (YDA). The study employed a questionnaire consisting of Likert scale, multiple-choice and open-ended questions, which was disseminated to vegans and the food-interested public in the province of British Columbia, Canada. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS 27.0, and qualitative data was collected and analyzed (in English) using thematic analysis. A binary logistic regression model indicated that among our participants, being vegan or 35 years of age or older negatively predicted having positive feelings towards YDA [chi-square (10) = 29.086, p = 0.001]. Vegans were less likely to try or purchase YDD than non-vegans. Consumers in our study shared concerns regarding the health and safety of YDD with many viewing it as non-vegan and a highly processed product. Although vegans receive a disproportionate amount of media attention with regards to cellular agriculture, our pilot study suggests this group may be unlikely to accept or consume YDA or YDD. Rather, our preliminary work indicates non-vegans and individuals under the age of 35 may be a more receptive market. Across groups, confusion about YDA processes may be a barrier to adoption.
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spelling doaj.art-83924ad72be04ef99420295252bbe4bf2023-05-11T11:20:43ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems2571-581X2023-04-01710.3389/fsufs.2023.11276521127652Perceptions and acceptance of yeast-derived dairy in British Columbia, CanadaLisa Jordan Powell0Zsofia Mendly-Zambo1Lenore Lauri Newman2Center for Human & Environmental Sustainability, Sweet Briar College, Sweet Briar, VA, United StatesSchool of Health Policy & Management, York University, Toronto, ON, CanadaFood and Agriculture Institute, University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, BC, CanadaYeast derived-dairy (YDD) produced using cellular agriculture technologies is already available for purchase in the United States, though there has been little study of public understanding of these products. Our pilot study explored consumer perception and acceptance of YDD and yeast-derived agriculture (YDA). The study employed a questionnaire consisting of Likert scale, multiple-choice and open-ended questions, which was disseminated to vegans and the food-interested public in the province of British Columbia, Canada. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS 27.0, and qualitative data was collected and analyzed (in English) using thematic analysis. A binary logistic regression model indicated that among our participants, being vegan or 35 years of age or older negatively predicted having positive feelings towards YDA [chi-square (10) = 29.086, p = 0.001]. Vegans were less likely to try or purchase YDD than non-vegans. Consumers in our study shared concerns regarding the health and safety of YDD with many viewing it as non-vegan and a highly processed product. Although vegans receive a disproportionate amount of media attention with regards to cellular agriculture, our pilot study suggests this group may be unlikely to accept or consume YDA or YDD. Rather, our preliminary work indicates non-vegans and individuals under the age of 35 may be a more receptive market. Across groups, confusion about YDA processes may be a barrier to adoption.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1127652/fullyeast-derived dairycellular agricultureveganconsumer perceptionBritish Columbia
spellingShingle Lisa Jordan Powell
Zsofia Mendly-Zambo
Lenore Lauri Newman
Perceptions and acceptance of yeast-derived dairy in British Columbia, Canada
Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
yeast-derived dairy
cellular agriculture
vegan
consumer perception
British Columbia
title Perceptions and acceptance of yeast-derived dairy in British Columbia, Canada
title_full Perceptions and acceptance of yeast-derived dairy in British Columbia, Canada
title_fullStr Perceptions and acceptance of yeast-derived dairy in British Columbia, Canada
title_full_unstemmed Perceptions and acceptance of yeast-derived dairy in British Columbia, Canada
title_short Perceptions and acceptance of yeast-derived dairy in British Columbia, Canada
title_sort perceptions and acceptance of yeast derived dairy in british columbia canada
topic yeast-derived dairy
cellular agriculture
vegan
consumer perception
British Columbia
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1127652/full
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