Consumers

Gesunder Veganer Burger

© Fischer Food Design – stock.adobe.com
Meat- and Fish Alternatives

New BEUC Report Calls on Retailers and Governments to Support Plant-Based Alternatives

A new report from the European Consumer Organization BEUC, “Unwrapping Veggie Burgers”, examines the growing popularity of plant-based meat alternatives in Europe and their potential to diversify protein sources in consumer diets. The report highlights both opportunities and challenges for these products as they gain traction among health-conscious and environmentally aware consumers. The EU has seen a remarkable rise in plant-based alternatives, with consumption of meat substitutes increasing fivefold and plant-based milk tripling since 2011. Flexitarianism is also on the rise, with nearly 30% of EU consumers in 2021 identifying as reducing meat consumption and opting for plant-based options instead. A call for change BEUC’s report lays out a roadmap for promoting plant-based diets across the EU. It recommends incorporating environmental considerations into national dietary …

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Meatable, a Dutch producer of cell-based pork meat, has become the first company to hold an officially approved cultivated meat tasting in the European Union and the first in the Netherlands.

Image courtesy of Meatable © Bart Maat
Cultivated Meat

Austrian Agriculture Officials to Use Negative Survey Results to Advocate Against Cultivated Meat

A study commissioned by Austria’s Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry in Carinthia (a southern region in the Alps and and least densely populated state), found that 90% of respondents are unwilling to eat cultivated meat regularly, 72% expressed health risk concerns, and 82% even want to ban the technology. The survey questioned over 800 people aged 16 and older, and, according to Deputy Governor Martin Gruber (ÖVP), participants were informed neutrally and objectively about the production process before being asked whether they would consume “lab-grown” meat. “This vehement rejection is a confirmation of our fight against laboratory meat, plain and simple. It’s about preventing this fake meat on the EU market,” Gruber told local media. Siegfried Huber, President of the Carinthia Chamber of Agriculture, said, …

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A cultivated chicken product

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Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

Cultivated Meat Struggles to Gain Traction Among Consumers, Survey Finds

A recent Statista Consumer Insights survey has revealed that cultivated meat still struggles to gain widespread acceptance among consumers worldwide.  The survey, which included 2,000 to 10,000 adults aged 18 to 64 per country from January to December 2023, shows a varying willingness to try cultivated meat. According to the findings, in India, for example, one in five respondents expressed interest in trying cultivated meat, while only 9% of those surveyed in France showed interest in this new food concept.   In the UK, where, as reported by Good Food Institute Europe, at least 23 cultivated meat companies are working to develop slaughter-free meat, 17% of respondents said they were interested in trying it. Similarly, in the United States, where two different cultivated chicken products have …

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ProVeg NFH egg dishes

Image: ProVeg Internatiional
Egg Alternatives

What’s Driving Consumers to Try Plant-Based Egg Products?

Plant-based eggs are gaining consumer favour. This isn’t a recent development, however, the rate at which the industry is growing is surprising. In its recent New Food Hub article, ProVeg International uncovers the main consumer motivators for plant-based eggs and dives into the micro-drivers within each.  Throughout the piece, ProVeg shares insights to equip businesses with the knowledge they need to understand their consumers and attract them to the blossoming alt-egg market. Consumers value health  Research shows that health is the greatest driver in the plant-based egg market, due to numerous health risks and allergies associated with animal-based eggs, as well as the benefits of consuming plant-based alternatives. Plant-based eggs appeal to health-conscious consumers for a number of reasons: Low to no cholesterol: By swapping …

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Amys Vegan Thai Red Curry

Image: Amy's Kitchen
Studies & Numbers

Amy’s Kitchen Survey: Two-Thirds of American Parents are Curious About Vegan Foods

A new survey commissioned by organic meals brand Amy’s Kitchen finds the majority of Americans (52%) express a curiosity about vegan foods, with two-thirds, or 66%, of American parents revealing they are especially intrigued about the plant-based foods category.  According to Amy’s, who commissioned an online survey of 2,000 American adults, there are more than 100,000 internet searches per month for terms like “vegan recipes” and “vegetarian recipes”, which it says demonstrates a clear demand for plant-based meals. Looking at different groups, the survey found nearly 3-in-5 men expressed curiosity about vegan foods, while interest among Gen Z and millennials was strong, with 58% saying there were veg-curious.  Parental insights Among parents, nearly seven in ten (69%) said they struggle to find convenient, healthy meals …

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Young people talking/ Survey on Gen Z supporting veganism

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Society

Poll: Majority of Gen Z is in Favor of a Vegan Diet, With 7-in-10 Planning to Stay Vegan Over Next Five Years

Health website Medical Inspiration Daily For Stronger Society (MIDSS) recently polled 3,000 Gen Z individuals to gain new perspectives on the future of the food and health industry. According to the poll, the Gen Z population (individuals born between 1997-2012) is currently the main driver of the US vegan market, with 70% who identify as vegan saying they will continue to pursue the diet in the next five years.  To conduct its poll, MIDSS says it surveyed 3,000 vegans and non-vegans belonging to the Gen Z age demographic in February 2023.  Among its top findings, the survey found about 50% of vegans chose the lifestyle because of its health benefits, with 17% motivated by animal cruelty concerns, and another 17% choosing the diet for environmental …

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a range of vegan products at a supermarket

© Vegetarianos Hoy FB
Market & Trends

NGO Vegetarianos Hoy to Identify Plant-Based Consumption Habits in LATAM

The NGO Vegetarianos Hoy launched its Latin American Consumer Survey this week to obtain insights into consumer preferences for plant-based foods and products. The study targets five countries: Peru, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico. As veganism is rising in Latin America, the study will focus on consumption habits and identifying consumer motives for migrating to a plant-based diet. It will collect relevant data to develop future awareness campaigns on the benefits of changing to more sustainable eating habits, explains the NGO. Vegetarianos Hoy has been active in the region since 2017, promoting animal welfare and more ethical, healthy, and sustainable eating habits. Its work includes cage-free campaigns, Meatless Mondays, V-Label certifications, corporate and food service outreach, and ‘veggie challenges’. Vegetarianos Hoy represented Latin America at the …

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Kroger/ PFBA Plant-Based Meat in Store

© Plant-Based Foods Association
Society

New PBFI/Kroger Report Shows Health Remains Top Purchase Driver for Plant-Based Foods

A new report by the Plant-Based Foods Institute and Kroger shows health concerns remain US consumers’ top motivator for purchasing plant-based products. Among other insights, the report also reveals sales of plant-based foods are beginning to slowly displace the purchase of animal products. According to survey data, 54% of consumers said health is their primary reason for purchasing plant-based products, while 49% believe plant-based alternatives are healthier, and 39% like the taste or flavor of plant-based foods. Just over one quarter, or 26%, cited animal welfare as their top motivation, while 23% named environmental concerns.  “What is unique about this research, in terms of health, is that we learned specifically that consumers associate chronic illness with animal-based foods versus simply improving their overall health,” Julie …

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two woman reading a product label

© ProVeg International
Market & Trends

Study Finds Consumers Prefer Term ‘Plant-Based’ Over ‘Meat-Free’ or ‘Vegan’

Should you label your product meat-free, vegan or plant-based? Last year, ProVeg International produced a report on how ‘vegan’ or ‘plant-based’ labelling impacts mainstream appeal. As part of its work to discover how labels are perceived, the food awareness organisation recently published two new reports that reveal consumers’ understanding of the terms used to describe plant-based food products in the UK and the US. These new studies “aim to provide valuable insights into how the food industry can label their products to ensure clarity about ingredients, draw in target consumers and present their products most appealingly,” ProVeg explained. Here are the findings of both reports. Report 1: Plant-based labelling One thousand UK consumers were asked to describe and rate their views on the terms ‘animal-free,’ ‘meatless’, ‘meat-free’, ‘100% …

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mamu-protein-noodles

©Kelly Pullieo
Market & Trends

Four In Ten Consumers Globally Believe Plant-Based Will Replace Meat In Next Decade

According to a new study conducted by GlobeScan and EAT, a science-based non-profit for global food system transformation, 42 percent of consumers worldwide think most people will be eating plant-based food instead of animal meat in the next decade. An encouraging 60 percent of consumers claim that they eat healthy food most or all of the time, with a growing number of people identifying as vegetarian or vegan; more than one in five (22%) say that they eat plant-based or vegan food, up from 17 percent in 2019. Interest in trying plant-based diets is also growing across all age groups; 40 percent of Gen Z, 43 percent of Millennials, 37 percent of Gen X, and 28 percent of Baby Boomers reported they were very interested …

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adm workers in a farm field during the day

© ADM
Market & Trends

ADM Reveals Eight Global Consumer Trends Driving Product Innovation for 2023

From health and wellness for people and their pets to environmental concerns, ADM‘s third annual outlook identifies eight global consumer trends that will serve as anchor points to inspire innovation in the F&B and pet food industries in 2023. Below are the eight global consumer trends that ADM’s research predicts will drive product and service innovation in the next year. 1. Expanded protein choices More than half (52%) of global consumers now consider themselves flexitarians, incorporating animal and plant-based or other alternative proteins into their diets. Within that 52%, nearly two-thirds define their eating style as “trying to use more plant-based foods,” leading to more demand for expanded protein options. As technology natives Gen Z and Gen Alpha grow up, acceptance of using scientific advancements to …

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Lab,Grown,Cultured,Meat,Concept,For,Artificial,In,Vitro,Cell

Image courtesy Jeremy Coller Foundation
Cultivated Meat

Report Analyses Impact of Lab-Based Vs. Food-Based Imagery on Perceptions of Cultivated Meat

A new ProVeg report addresses how the ways in which images in the media have a significant influence on consumer acceptance and perceptions of cultivated meat. Interestingly, 62% of respondents in the UK show an interest in purchasing cultivated meat regardless of the type of images seen. The report, which can be downloaded here, is based on a survey of 750 people in the UK and looks into consumer attitudes and understanding of cultivated meat, based on exposure to different images, and provides clear recommendations to brands and media alike on presenting cellular agriculture products to the public.  Presenting an accurate image “Consumers frequently see lab-based images associated with cultured meat across different media. However, the existing photos tagged as cultured or lab-grown meat on …

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radicle tacos Kerry

©Kerry
Studies & Numbers

New Study Reveals Consumer Preferences for Plant-Based Products Across Four Countries

Sustainability and health concerns are driving consumers to plant-based meat alternatives, but the taste experience of these products remains inadequate, according to research conducted by Kerry. Flexitarians continue to drive the market In 2022, Kerry surveyed more than 1,500 consumers in four countries – the US, the UK, Australia and Brazil – to determine sensory expectations for plant-based burgers and cheese alternatives. The research found that flexitarians, the key consumer group driving the growth of plant-based products, are more critical of the products than vegan and vegetarian consumers. While sustainability is an important factor, consumers are unwilling to compromise on taste and are looking for products that are as close as possible to the taste experience of animal products. The study uncovered the key drivers …

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Veylinx hot dog labels

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Studies & Numbers

Call This “Meatless” Rather Than a “Vegan” Hot Dog to Increase Demand by 16%

Recently published research reveals some curious results in relation to the consumer behaviour of North Americans purchasing plant based foods; including the fact that the term “meatless” when used to label a hot dog increases demand significantly. Impact of labelling The study addressed the hot dog category and found that labelling the hot dog as “meatless” instead of “vegan” boosts demand by 16%. The term “meatless” created the greatest demand among the participants, followed by “veggie,” “plant-based,” “animal-free,” and lastly “vegan.”  Further key findings include Cultivated meat is the preferred alternative for burgers, jerky, nuggets and filet mignon. Plant-based with meatlike properties drives the greatest demand for bacon and lasagne. Microalgae is favored for sushi. Shoppers are also willing to pay extra for plant-based lasagne …

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Woman with healthy food shopping spinach Tastewise

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Studies & Numbers

New Acosta Report Reveals 40% of US Consumers Buy Plant-Based Meat and Dairy 

New research from Acosta shows that 40% of shoppers in the US now purchase plant-based meat and alt dairy products. With consumers’ pursuit of a healthy lifestyle as a key purchase driver, the report confirms growing consumer interest in plant-based meat and alt dairy purchases. Figures from the study show that 60% of consumers are purchasing plant-based products several times a month, while 77% surveyed are buying plant-based foods at traditional grocery stores, with only 20% buying online. Acosta, the US sales and marketing solutions provider, has revealed the figures in its latest research report; “Plant-Based Eating: Trend or Fad?” The report revealed a strong loyalty trend within the segment, with 64% of plant-based buyers purchasing within this category at least several times a month, …

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Mosa Meat Cultivated Burger

Cultivated burger © Mosa Meat
Cultivated, Cell-Cultured & Biotechnology

Cultured Meat Law Breakthrough in the Netherlands as Public Samplings Approved

In another step forward for the European cultivated meat industry, the government of the Netherlands has passed a motion to legalize the sampling of cell-cultured meat products. The legal breakthrough could pave the way for cultivated meat to be sold in supermarkets within a few years, according to Dutch manufacturers.  “Cultivated meat deserves a fair chance and that’s why we have to make tastings possible” The motion, proposed by the D66 and VVD parties, was passed in the House of Representatives this week making it legally possible to host public samplings of cultivated meat products. Although public sampling in order to gain acceptance, support, and feedback is currently legal in many European countries, the law had held back some of the Dutch originators of the …

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Biffs burger sliders withcheeze and bacun

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Gastronomy & Food Service

Three Proven “Nudges” That Influence Meat-Eaters to Order Vegan Options

Meat-eaters can be influenced into choosing plant-based options in restaurants depending on certain factors such as innovation and novelty. According to recent studies, many consumer food decisions are motivated by non-rational social and contextual factors. Strategies that are applied to manipulate such factors and influence customers choices are often referred to as ‘nudges’. Foodservice “can contribute to the desired societal shift towards mainstream consumption of foods with lower environmental impact.” Through nudging strategies, omnivores can be motivated to choose plant-based options at the supermarket, in restaurants, or when shopping for food online. The following three methods have been demonstrated to nudge customers into choosing plant-based options in restaurants, having already shown success in scientific studies. Presenting a plant-based option as the default choice A Danish …

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© Mosa Meat
Cultivated Meat

34% of UK Consumers Willing to Try Cultivated Meat, 60% Would Try Plant-Based

A new study into public acceptance of alternative proteins released today by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) reveals that around a third (34%) of UK consumers are willing to sample cultivated meat, whilst as many as six in ten (60%) are happy to try plant-based proteins. The research was conducted with a representative sample of 1,930 adults aged 16-75 in the UK between 9th – 11th December 2021, commissioned by the FSA via Ipsos MORI’s online omnibus. The most cited reason for unwillingness to try cultivated meat (49%) was due to finding it “off-putting”, whereas the biggest barrier to trying plant-based proteins was that participants enjoy consuming animal meats (36%). Participants who said they were unwilling to try these alternatives were asked as to what …

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GreenBay Supermarket

© GreenBay Supermarket
Market & Trends

New Evidence Finds Most Shoppers “Most Likely Never to Visit” a Dedicated Vegan Supermarket Aisle

New data from consumer research platform Attest surveyed 500 respondents in the US and another 500 in the UK about their attitudes to buying plant-based products. The results were striking — out of all the key supermarket sections, the vegan aisle was the one consumers were most likely never to visit; 18% of UK consumers and 22% of UK consumers reported that they never shopped in this section. Meat should be where shoppers expect to find it: in the meat department Last June, vegconomist published a report on the subject of an inclusive protein aisle where all animal and vegetable protein would be stocked together. The following month, results were released of a trial carried out by the PBFA and Kroger across three states in …

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