Consumers’ Perspectives on Eggs from Insect-Fed Hens: A UK Focus Group Study
In recent years, there has been growing interest in insects as an alternative to soybean meal as laying hen feed due to nutrition, sustainability, and animal welfare benefits. Although some studies have investigated consumer acceptance and intentions towards insect-fed foodstuffs, no studies are ava...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-02-01
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| Series: | Foods |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/10/2/420 |
| _version_ | 1797396613039128576 |
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| author | Sabrina Spartano Simona Grasso |
| author_facet | Sabrina Spartano Simona Grasso |
| author_sort | Sabrina Spartano |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In recent years, there has been growing interest in insects as an alternative to soybean meal as laying hen feed due to nutrition, sustainability, and animal welfare benefits. Although some studies have investigated consumer acceptance and intentions towards insect-fed foodstuffs, no studies are available on eggs from insect-fed hens. This qualitative study aimed to explore consumers’ attitudes and perceptions towards eggs from insect-fed hens and factors influencing intentions to consume and purchase the product. Three focus group discussions were employed with a total of 19 individuals from the UK. Results showed that the environmental, animal welfare, and food waste benefits of feeding hens with insects positively influenced attitudes. Results also indicated price and disgust towards insects as feed were the main barriers, while enhanced welfare standards (e.g., free-range labelling) and information on benefits were main drivers. Therefore, the study suggests that educating and informing consumers about the benefits of feeding hens with insects may increase intentions to consume and purchase eggs from insect-fed hens. Given this emerging area of research, this study contributes to the limited literature on insect-fed foodstuffs and paves the way for further research on the topic. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T00:52:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d2692bc3b256431bbb5487d50ee10408 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2304-8158 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T00:52:58Z |
| publishDate | 2021-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Foods |
| spelling | doaj.art-d2692bc3b256431bbb5487d50ee104082023-12-11T17:04:43ZengMDPI AGFoods2304-81582021-02-0110242010.3390/foods10020420Consumers’ Perspectives on Eggs from Insect-Fed Hens: A UK Focus Group StudySabrina Spartano0Simona Grasso1Department of Applied Economics and Marketing, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6EU, UKSchool of Agriculture, Policy and Development, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, University of Reading, Reading RG6 6EU, UKIn recent years, there has been growing interest in insects as an alternative to soybean meal as laying hen feed due to nutrition, sustainability, and animal welfare benefits. Although some studies have investigated consumer acceptance and intentions towards insect-fed foodstuffs, no studies are available on eggs from insect-fed hens. This qualitative study aimed to explore consumers’ attitudes and perceptions towards eggs from insect-fed hens and factors influencing intentions to consume and purchase the product. Three focus group discussions were employed with a total of 19 individuals from the UK. Results showed that the environmental, animal welfare, and food waste benefits of feeding hens with insects positively influenced attitudes. Results also indicated price and disgust towards insects as feed were the main barriers, while enhanced welfare standards (e.g., free-range labelling) and information on benefits were main drivers. Therefore, the study suggests that educating and informing consumers about the benefits of feeding hens with insects may increase intentions to consume and purchase eggs from insect-fed hens. Given this emerging area of research, this study contributes to the limited literature on insect-fed foodstuffs and paves the way for further research on the topic.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/10/2/420animal welfarecircular economyconsumer acceptanceconsumer attitudesfood wasteinsects as feed |
| spellingShingle | Sabrina Spartano Simona Grasso Consumers’ Perspectives on Eggs from Insect-Fed Hens: A UK Focus Group Study Foods animal welfare circular economy consumer acceptance consumer attitudes food waste insects as feed |
| title | Consumers’ Perspectives on Eggs from Insect-Fed Hens: A UK Focus Group Study |
| title_full | Consumers’ Perspectives on Eggs from Insect-Fed Hens: A UK Focus Group Study |
| title_fullStr | Consumers’ Perspectives on Eggs from Insect-Fed Hens: A UK Focus Group Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Consumers’ Perspectives on Eggs from Insect-Fed Hens: A UK Focus Group Study |
| title_short | Consumers’ Perspectives on Eggs from Insect-Fed Hens: A UK Focus Group Study |
| title_sort | consumers perspectives on eggs from insect fed hens a uk focus group study |
| topic | animal welfare circular economy consumer acceptance consumer attitudes food waste insects as feed |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/10/2/420 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT sabrinaspartano consumersperspectivesoneggsfrominsectfedhensaukfocusgroupstudy AT simonagrasso consumersperspectivesoneggsfrominsectfedhensaukfocusgroupstudy |