June 2023

Abstract:

Cultivated meat could help alleviate ethical and environmental concerns in the current food system, but its success as a viable alternative to conventional meat depends partly on how consumers perceive it. We extend previous studies to determine how different frames used to communicate cultivated meat affect consumers’ attitudes and willingness to try, buy, and replace conventional meat with cultivated meat. A pre-registered study (1094 participants; UK) compared differences between a consumption frame that aligned the product with conventional consumption practices, a production frame that focused on how cultivated meat is produced, and a general alternative food frame that placed it in the backdrop of novel foods. We also tested whether perceived product traits such as naturalness, familiarity, and tastefulness mediated the differences between frames. We found that the consumption frame promoted more favorable attitudes and willingness toward cultivated meat than the production frame. These differences occurred because participants perceived cultivated meat as more natural, familiar, and tasty when presented with the consumption frame. We also found differences between frames (consumption, production, general alternative food) in all perceived product traits. The results corroborate the benefits for consumer appraisal of aligning cultivated meat with conventional consumption practices and the risks of referring only to how it is produced. Perceived taste had the strongest indirect effect across all outcome variables, but perceived naturalness and familiarity were also significant. Overall, the findings reinforce the importance of carefully framing and communicating about cultivated meat with prospective consumers, and considering the perceived naturalness, familiarity, and taste of the product.

Fidder, L., & Graça, J. (2023). Aligning cultivated meat with conventional meat consumption practices increases expected tastefulness, naturalness, and familiarity. Food Quality and Preference, 104911. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2023.104911 

Review of evidence confirming meat & animal product demand displacement in favour of alternative meat.

Bryant Research. (2023.). Alternative meats displace demand for animal products. Bryant Research. https://bryantresearch.co.uk/insight-items/alternative-meats-demand/

Abstract:

Background

Climate change is real and so are its unequal impacts on different geographies and societies. Food systems are estimated to produce a third of global greenhouse gas emissions, of which meat is a major contributor. An emerging challenge is feeding a growing population and fulfilling its protein needs, while limiting the climate footprint. Though more environment friendly alternative sources of proteins are becoming available, their acceptance will depend upon attitudes, beliefs, and behavioural choices. For Muslims, who comprise about a quarter of the world's population, religious guidance plays an important role in consumption patterns and food choices.

Scope and approach

This review looks at consumption practices among Muslims in the context of food system impacts on greenhouse gas emissions, and the need for optimal sources of protein for nutrition and achieving food security. It discusses what is permissible (halāl) or prohibited (harām) for Muslims and how that is determined based on two primary sources – the Qur'an and the Hadith – and other secondary sources relied upon by Muslim legists. It then reviews what is known about three alternative protein sources – plant-based diets, insects and cultured meat, and the Islamic ethical and legal position related to these foods.

Key findings and conclusions

The findings show conflicting scholarly opinions and a limited understanding of Muslim attitudes to alternative protein sources. Better understanding will be required for enhancing food security, while limiting food related greenhouse gas emissions.

Jameel, S. (2023). Climate change, food systems and the Islamic perspective on alternative proteins. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 138, 480–490. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2023.06.028  

Abstract:

The increasing global demand for protein, coupled with the environmental, health, and ethical challenges posed by conventional animal-based protein sources, necessitates the exploration of alternative protein sources. This comprehensive review examines various alternative protein sources, including plant-based proteins, insects, algae, fungi, and cultured meat, assessing their potential to contribute to sustainable agriculture. We also discuss factors affecting the adoption of these alternative proteins, such as nutritional quality, production systems, consumer acceptance, and socio-economic and environmental impacts. Future research and development directions are outlined, emphasizing the need to enhance the nutritional and functional properties of alternative proteins, optimize production systems for sustainability and scalability, overcome consumer barriers, and assess and mitigate potential socio-economic and environmental impacts. This multi-faceted approach will ensure that alternative protein sources can make a meaningful contribution to a more sustainable and resilient global food system, capable of addressing the pressing challenges of climate change, resource depletion, and growing global demand for protein.

Siddique, M. A., Shafique, M., Raza, A., Hassan, S. M., & Kauser, Y. (2023). Exploring alternative protein sources for sustainable agriculture: A comprehensive review. International Journal of Research and Advances in Agricultural Sciences. https://www.ijraas.com/ojs/index.php/ijraas/article/view/44  

Abstract:

The increasing global demand for protein, coupled with the environmental, health, and ethical challenges posed by conventional animal-based protein sources, necessitates the exploration of alternative protein sources. This comprehensive review examines various alternative protein sources, including plant-based proteins, insects, algae, fungi, and cultured meat, assessing their potential to contribute to sustainable agriculture. We also discuss factors affecting the adoption of these alternative proteins, such as nutritional quality, production systems, consumer acceptance, and socio-economic and environmental impacts. Future research and development directions are outlined, emphasizing the need to enhance the nutritional and functional properties of alternative proteins, optimize production systems for sustainability and scalability, overcome consumer barriers, and assess and mitigate potential socio-economic and environmental impacts. This multi-faceted approach will ensure that alternative protein sources can make a meaningful contribution to a more sustainable and resilient global food system, capable of addressing the pressing challenges of climate change, resource depletion, and growing global demand for protein.

Pilařová, L., Balcarová, T., Pilař, L., Kvasničková Stanislavská, L., Rosak-Szyrocka, J., Pitrová, J., Moulis, P., & Kvasnička, R. (2023). Exploring ethical, ecological, and health factors influencing the acceptance of cultured meat among Generation Y and Generation Z. Nutrients, 15(13), 2935. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15132935  

Abstract:

The advancement in cultured meat research in cellular agriculture has greatly surged. The concerns of halalness and thayibban (cleanliness and permissibility to consume) of cultured beef meat will arise among Muslim consumers, prompting the question, “Who will consume the cultured meat, and are Muslims ready to consume it?” This study aimed to clarify how Muslims perceive cultured meat and the issues surrounding their acceptance. A chi-square test and a binary logistic regression analysis were applied to reveal the acceptance of cultured meat. The results revealed that 44.1% of the respondents accepted cultured meat as their food, while 55.9% expressed doubts due to religious concerns. Their attitudes toward cultured meat influenced their decision to accept it as food. Some consumers had high expectations for cultured meat because they believed it would be superior in taste and have nutritional value and health effects. In conclusion, those Muslims who did not doubt cultured meat accepted it as future food with expectations for better function and value.

Terano, R., Matsuyoshi, Y., Aida, A. A., Ramli, N. N., & Mohamed, Z. A. (2023). Exploring muslim consumers’ acceptance of cultured beef meat. AGRARIS: Journal of Agribusiness and Rural Development Research, 9(1), 100–112. https://doi.org/10.18196/agraris.v9i1.182  

Abstract:

Animal agriculture has a large impact on the environment. Hence, there is an increasing demand for meat alternatives – more sustainably produced plant-based products that replace meat as meal component. Demands for meat alternatives also seem to be fuelled by consumers' belief that meat alternatives are healthier than meat products. In an online questionnaire study, we examined whether consumers indeed perceived meat alternatives to be healthier, to what degree consumers adequately estimated the nutritional value of meat (alternatives), and whether a nutrition claim could misguide consumers. In a panel of 120 Dutch consumers, it was found that meat alternatives were generally perceived as being healthier than meat products. According to supermarket data, meat alternatives contained less protein and saturated fat, higher levels of fibre and salt compared to meat. Consumers were found to overestimate the protein content of meat alternatives relative to meat products, especially when meat alternatives carry a ‘high in protein’ claim. The current beliefs about the healthiness and nutritional content of meat and meat alternatives are precarious and a fair, transparent, and understandable environment should be created for the conscious consumer.

Ketelings, L., Benerink, E., Havermans, R. C., Kremers, S. P. J., & de Boer, A. (2023). Fake meat or meat with benefits? How Dutch consumers perceive health and nutritional value of plant-based meat alternatives. Appetite, 188, 106616. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2023.106616

Abstract:

Novel plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) have the potential to disrupt traditional

meat industries, but only if consumers substitute PBMAs for meat over time. This study uses

weekly household scanner data from 2018-2020, to estimate demand for PBMAs in the ground

meat market. We use a basket-based demand approach by estimating a multivariate logit model

to determine cross product relationships between PBMAs, ground turkey, ground chicken, and

ground beef, while simultaneously exploring the role of prior consumption habits and

demographics on demand. We find demand for PBMAs is higher among younger, higher

income, college educated, non-white households. Demand for PBMAs gradually increased over

the two year span studied from 2018 to 2020. PBMAs and ground beef are price substitutes,

whereas PBMAs are complements with ground turkey and ground chicken. Demand for PBMAs

is driven by habit formation rather than variety seeking, as higher past purchases of PBMAs lead

to a higher likelihood of current PBMA purchases. At the same time, consumers with higher

past ground beef purchases are less likely to choose PBMAs, suggesting growth of this new

product is coming from consumers on the margin rather than from heavy beef buyers substituting

away from their traditional purchases. Additionally, we find that U.S. households in aggregate

would have to be compensated $1.1 billion per year to forgo ground beef at retail grocery

without adversely affecting consumer welfare; still, we value the introduction of PBMAs at

$90.27 million per year.

Neuhofer, Z. T., & Lusk, J. L. (2023). Impacts of Variety-Seeking, Substitution, and Demographics on Demand for Plant-Based Meat Alternatives. 2023 Annual Meeting of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association. https://ideas.repec.org/p/ags/aaea22/335456.html   

Abstract:

Interest in alternative protein sources to substitute for animal source protein-rich foods has emerged alongside calls for sustainable food systems to meet protein demands as the global population grows towards a projected 9.8 billion people by 2050. Food companies are capitalizing on sustainable diet recommendations that encourage consumption of plant-based foods and have heavily invested in new plant-based foods that mimic animal source foods, effectively expanding the “plant-based foods” category. At the same time, globally there are two opposing protein transitions taking place as lower-income populations shift from plant to animal protein sources and higher-income populations that overconsume animal protein sources are recommended to shift towards plant-based foods. Using a global food systems lens, this review article builds on existing literature to assess the extent to which plant-based meat and milk analogs can become part of sustainable diets across two competing protein transitions and to identify unresolved knowledge gaps. This articles first examines global meat and dairy consumption trends as well as the emergence of plant-based analogs and consumer perceptions. We then draw on the literature to compare the environmental footprints and nutrition compositions of plant-based meats and milks against their respective conventional equivalents. We find that, while there are promising environmental benefits to substituting meats and milk with certain plant-based analogs, the uptake of these products is likely stifled based on the small number of products they mimic (i.e., ground meat, meat emulsions, meat crumbles, and fluid milk). Further, plant-based analogs do not completely mimic the nutrient composition of animal source foods. Plant-based analogs may have improved compositions, such as improved fat profiles. However, analogs may lack comparable protein and micronutrients that are highly bioavailable in animal source foods. Care should be considered for plant-based analogs that inherently fall under the “plant- based food” category as they are vastly different from whole and minimally processed plant foods and the intended benefits of plant-based food consumption may not be generalizable. Future assessments of meat and milk analogs should consider under which contexts direct substitution of animal source foods are viable from a consumer standpoint and examine both environment and nutrition impacts that are important to the given population.

Pingali, P., Boiteau, J., Choudhry, A., & Hall, A. (2023). Making meat and milk from plants: A review of plant-based food for human and planetary health. World Development, 170, 106316. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2023.106316   

Abstract:

Interest in alternative protein sources to substitute for animal source protein-rich foods has emerged alongside calls for sustainable food systems to meet protein demands as the global population grows towards a projected 9.8 billion people by 2050. Food companies are capitalizing on sustainable diet recommendations that encourage consumption of plant-based foods and have heavily invested in new plant-based foods that mimic animal source foods, effectively expanding the “plant-based foods” category. At the same time, globally there are two opposing protein transitions taking place as lower-income populations shift from plant to animal protein sources and higher-income populations that overconsume animal protein sources are recommended to shift towards plant-based foods. Using a global food systems lens, this review article builds on existing literature to assess the extent to which plant-based meat and milk analogs can become part of sustainable diets across two competing protein transitions and to identify unresolved knowledge gaps. This articles first examines global meat and dairy consumption trends as well as the emergence of plant-based analogs and consumer perceptions. We then draw on the literature to compare the environmental footprints and nutrition compositions of plant-based meats and milks against their respective conventional equivalents. We find that, while there are promising environmental benefits to substituting meats and milk with certain plant-based analogs, the uptake of these products is likely stifled based on the small number of products they mimic (i.e., ground meat, meat emulsions, meat crumbles, and fluid milk). Further, plant-based analogs do not completely mimic the nutrient composition of animal source foods. Plant-based analogs may have improved compositions, such as improved fat profiles. However, analogs may lack comparable protein and micronutrients that are highly bioavailable in animal source foods. Care should be considered for plant-based analogs that inherently fall under the “plant- based food” category as they are vastly different from whole and minimally processed plant foods and the intended benefits of plant-based food consumption may not be generalizable. Future assessments of meat and milk analogs should consider under which contexts direct substitution of animal source foods are viable from a consumer standpoint and examine both environment and nutrition impacts that are important to the given population.

R, S., Cr, B., Yadav, S., G, G., Ragupathy, R., Pouchepparadjou, A., & Ramasundaram, P. (2023). Perception and preference of consumers toward plant-based meat alternatives: Evidence from bibliometric analysis and policy implications. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4465727  

Abstract:

This research investigates the impact of the introduction of plant-based meats (PBMs) on consumers' food practices. Based on the results of 21 in-depth interviews with consumers who use PBMs, this research uses practice theory to explore how the adoption of PBMs affects linked food practices and the meanings associated with these practices. We find that consumers adopt PBMs due to either a desire for meaning coherence or for practicality. Subsequently there are social and embodied ripple consequences associated with this adoption, with consumers revising their social food practices, reconfiguring their understandings of health, and re-orienting their relationship to their body. Our findings extend the research on practice theory by examining how the adoption of a new category of ideological objects shapes other linked consumption practices. Practically, our findings provide important insights for dietary, marketing and health practitioners to understand the overall impact of PBM adoption on consumers’ dietary patterns and practices, and their perception about health and body.

Venkatraman, D. R., Hernández Ruiz, M. P., Lawrence, D. A. S., Lei, J., & Nagpal, A. (2023). Transforming practice chains through ideological objects: How plant-based meats impact consumers’ everyday food practices. Appetite, 106765. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2023.106765

Abstract:

Numerous examples of next-generation plant-based foods, such as meat, seafood, egg, and dairy analogs, are commercially available. These products are usually designed to have physicochemical properties, sensory attributes, and functional behaviors that match those of the animal-sourced products they are designed to replace. However, there has been concern about the potential negative impacts of these foods on human nutrition and health. In particular, many of these products have been criticized for being ultraprocessed foods that contain numerous ingredients and are manufactured using harsh processing operations. In this article, the concept of ultraprocessed foods is introduced and its relevance to describe the properties of next-generation plant-based foods is discussed. Most commercial plant-based meat, seafood, egg, and dairy analogs currently available do fall into this category, and so can be classified as ultraprocessed plant-based (UPB) foods. The nutrient content, digestibility, bioavailability, and gut microbiome effects of UPB foods are compared to those of animal-based foods, and the potential consequences of any differences on human health are discussed. Some commercial UPB foods would not be considered healthy based on their nutrient profiles, especially those plant-based cheeses that contain low levels of protein and high levels of fat, starch, and salt. However, it is argued that UPB foods can be designed to have good nutritional profiles and beneficial health effects. Finally, areas where further research are still needed to create a more healthy and sustainable food supply are discussed.

McClements, D. J. (2023). Ultraprocessed plant-based foods: Designing the next generation of healthy and sustainable alternatives to animal-based foods. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety. https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.13204  

Abstract:

There are, in the literature, distinct ways to approach animal welfare. The objective of this work was to study the value attributed to farm animals in the scientific papers published in animal welfare and animal production journals at three different points in time, separated by a decade each. The first ten papers mentioning “animal welfare” or “animal well-being” in their objectives or hypotheses from each journal and each focus year were selected. The 180 papers were blindly scored by five assessors between 1 and 10, according to the degree of intrinsic value attributed to animals. The overall mean score and standard deviation were 5.60 ± 2.49, with 6.46 ± 2.29 and 4.74 ± 2.40 for AW and AP journals, respectively, and 5.37 ± 2.44, 5.68 ± 2.52 and 5.75 ± 2.41 for the focus years of 2000, 2010 and 2020, respectively. There was an interaction between focus year and publication area: papers from AW journals scored better over time, in contrast with papers from AP journals, for which scores remained similar over decades. The inter-assessor agreement is moderate, which may reflect the subject complexity, as the language used in the papers studied was ambiguous in relation to why and for whom it is performed. The low overall mean score evidenced that the animal welfare scientific publications are, on average, not prioritizing the interests of the animals. Thus, our results evidenced the presence of animal welfarism in animal welfare science, a problem that seems not to be intrinsic to animal welfare science itself, but rather to the way research is frequently conceived, conducted, interpreted, summarized and applied. Therefore, it seems urgent to further study the motivation for animal welfare research. The statement of the main justification for animal welfare papers, with an explicit declaration of the motivational priorities that constitute each scientific animal welfare study, may be an interesting recommendation for the improvement of animal welfare science.

Fragoso, A. A. H., Capilé, K., Taconeli, C. A., de Almeida, G. C., de Freitas, P. P., & Molento, C. F. M. (2023). Animal welfare science: why and for whom? Animals, 13(11), 1833. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13111833

Abstract:

“How do vegetarians compare with omnivores in their views of animal welfare?” In 2020, this simple question was made more timely by the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, in this pre-COVID survey in 2019; a standardized scale (Takooshian, 1988) was updated, for an analysis of 194 surveys, to compare the views of 33 vegetarians with 161 omnivores on four brief standardized scales: animal welfare (0–10 points, α = .58), animal research (0–10, α = .56), science (0–10, α = .65), and humans' uses of animals (0–22, α = .82). As expected, vegetarians are significantly more proanimal and antivivisection across all 25 of 25 comparisons. Future post-COVID research possibilities are discussed, to probe the likely future of plant-based diets and whether the COVID pandemic impacted these attitudes.

Takooshian, H., & Weis, C. (2021). Assessing attitudes toward animal welfare among vegetarians and omnivores: A pre-COVID analysis. The Humanistic Psychologist. https://doi.org/10.1037/hum0000237 

Abstract:

In recent years, farm animal welfare has become an important issue from both an animal science and a societal perspective. Moreover, livestock production is increasingly associated with negative consequences for human health, the environment, and the climate. Thus, there is clear evidence that a more sustainable focus in animal husbandry is needed. However, this is a complex and challenging task, as different stakeholders and emerging trade-offs regarding sustainability need to be considered. For example, outdoor climate housing systems may be socially valued and bring benefits to animal welfare, but at the same time may be detrimental to the environment, the climate, human health, or even animal health. With regard to a sustainable, future-oriented transformation of animal husbandry, it is crucial to identify potential trade-offs and to evaluate them from not only a scientific perspective, but also a societal perspective. Therefore, the aim of this study is to find out how citizens assess the importance of various aspects of livestock production from different goal categories (e.g., ensuring animal welfare vs. environmental or climate protection), as well as within the category “ensuring animal welfare” (e.g., good housing conditions vs. good health conditions). A total of 2,000 participants were recruited via an online panel provider using quota and split sampling. We used the best–worst scaling (BWS) approach to measure the importance of the different aspects for four different farm animal species (dairy cows: n = 503; fattening pigs: n = 500; broilers: n = 499; and laying hens: n = 498). The results show that, regardless of animal species, in a trade-off situation, citizens prioritize animal welfare and human health over other sustainability aspects and, in particular, over product attributes (i.e., product price and taste). In terms of animal welfare, the provision of good housing conditions was found to be the most important sub-aspect for all animal species, but good feeding and animal health were also ranked highly. We consider our results valuable for the development of policy frameworks aimed at a sustainable and socially accepted transformation of current animal husbandry.

Schütz, A., Sonntag, W. I., Christoph-Schulz, I., & Faletar, I. (2023). Assessing citizens’ views on the importance of animal welfare and other sustainability aspects in livestock farming using best–worst scaling. Frontiers in Animal Science, 4. https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2023.1201685

Abstract:

Octopus vulgaris is a commercially valuable species. It is overexploited in the natural environment and is considered to be an innovative species for aquaculture. However, large-scale farming is generally designed only based on economic requirements, disregarding any form of enrichment that induces the natural behavior of aquatic species. Although many studies have shown the influence of environmental enrichment on terrestrial vertebrates, fish, and cephalopod mollusks, information on the effect of environmental enrichment on the body patterns of O. vulgaris is limited. Therefore, in this study, we assessed how different environmental conditions (Basic vs. Enriched) affect sub-adults of O. vulgaris kept in recirculation systems, through qualitative–quantitative studies of the main body patterns and their potential application in the commercial production of this species. The results indicated that octopuses kept in the enriched environment showed several body patterns and gained a significantly higher weight than those kept in the basic environment. The body patterns displayed by the individuals kept in the basic environment were similar to those exhibited under situations of hostility and inter/intra-specific conflict. Hence, the environment of octopuses needs to be enriched, especially for the large-scale production of this species.

Casalini, A., Gentile, L., Emmanuele, P., Brusa, R., Elmi, A., Parmeggiani, A., Galosi, L., Roncarati, A., & Mordenti, O. (2023). Effects of environmental enrichment on the behavior of octopus vulgaris in a recirculating aquaculture system. Animals, 13(11), 1862. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13111862

Abstract:

Agriculture in Western Europe has become efficient and productive but at a cost. The quality of biodiversity, soil, air, and water has been compromised. In the search for ways to ensure food security and meet the challenges of climate change, new production systems have been proposed. One of these is the transition to circular agriculture: closing the cycles of nutrients and other resources to minimise losses and end the impact on climate change. This development aims to address existing problems in food production but also raises questions about animal health and welfare. Although the role animals can play in this development is not ignored, the animal welfare dimension of circular agriculture seems to be overlooked. We argue that this is a problem both for the success of circular agriculture and for the animals involved. To substantiate this claim, we analyse the background to this lack of attention, which we find in (a) the way circular agriculture is conceptualised; (b) the institutional hurdles related to the legal, political and economic context; and (c) the concept of animal welfare, which requires further innovation. By analysing these aspects, we develop stepping stones for an animal-welfare inclusive concept of circular agriculture. These stepping stones include: recognising the animal as a participant with its own interests in the innovation towards circular agriculture; using a dynamic concept of animal welfare; a concept of circularity that provides space for social values, including animal welfare; and attention to institutional innovation by improving public engagement and building trust.

Meijboom, F. L. B., Staman, J., & Pothoven, R. (2023). From blind spot to crucial concept: On the role of animal welfare in food system changes towards circular agriculture. Journal of Agricultural & Environmental Ethics, 36(3), 14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10806-023-09909-7 

Abstract:

Despite the growing concern on animal welfare in crustacean farming, both from legislative bodies as well as the common public, studies on welfare are limited and transfer to routine farming is missing. While biocertification schemes such as the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) involve a welfare dimension, these dimensions cannot be communicated to the consumer in a scientifically sound manner. Animal welfare is recognized as integral part of sustainability due to the losses associated with bad animal welfare standards and is considered highly relevant by consumers around the world. On the other hand, increasing animal welfare is also required for the optimisation of aquaculture technology. Behaviour of the animals suggests that decapod crustaceans experience nociception and there are several indications of pain perception as well. Also, distress has rarely been evaluated under routine aquaculture conditions and markers for chronic stress detection need to be identified. Indeed, most work on welfare of crustaceans focuses on cellular, oxidative stress only. Here, a comprehensive assessment of chronic stress should be carried out to optimize rearing technology in nurseries, during ongrowing, harvesting, anesthesia, transportation, and humane slaughter in terms of a good aquaculture practise.

Wuertz, S., Bierbach, D., & Bögner, M. (2023). Welfare of decapod crustaceans with special emphasis on stress physiology. Aquaculture Research, 2023, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/1307684

Abstract:

The willingness of consumers to buy animal welfare products is an important support for the transformation of animal husbandry to animal welfare. However, animal welfare farming often means a considerable capital investment, which often increases the likelihood of price increases for the products. The main purpose of this study is to assist in the marketing of animal welfare products through the research results and then promote the transformation of animal husbandry to animal welfare-friendly agriculture. The analysis results showed that consumers’ moral attitudes towards animal products significantly affect perceived higher prices and buying willingness, while perceived higher prices negatively affect buying willingness. Still, fortunately, the negative impact is not significant. Based on the findings, a discussion of academic and managerial implications is provided at the end of this article.

Yang, J.-M. (2023). Willingness to buy animal welfare products: A study on the conflict between moral attitudes and perceived higher prices. Journal of Applied Animal Research, 51(1), 447–455. https://doi.org/10.1080/09712119.2023.2225586   

Abstract:

The use of non-speciesist language, such as referring to non-human animals as ‘someone’ instead of ‘something’, is a simple way for individuals to recognize animals’ moral standing. However, little is known about how this language is perceived and whether it may lead to do-gooder derogation. We conducted three studies involving adults in the United Kingdom (n = 1409) and found that omnivores, semi-vegetarians, and lacto-/ovo-vegetarians were less likely to want to get to know someone who used non-speciesist language. Omnivores were especially apprehensive and also saw them as less compassionate. Strict vegetarians and vegans were more positive, viewing someone who used non-speciesist language as more compassionate. Vegans were particularly so, being the only group to report greater interest in getting to know someone who used non-speciesist language. All groups, irrespective of their diet, thought that non-speciesist language communicated arrogance, an avoidance of meat, and rejection of the idea that humans take moral precedence over other animals. These effects were strongest for language that avoided euphemizing the suffering of animals and weakest for language that did not objectify them. Our findings highlight the social implications of using non-speciesist language and demonstrate how it can be a pathway through which do-gooder derogation may occur in everyday life. By doing so, they contribute to understanding how people perceive those with moral commitments to animals and the challenges facing those who want to reduce animal product consumption and improve animal welfare.

Leach, S., & Dhont, K. (2023). Non-speciesist language conveys moral commitments to animals and evokes do-gooder derogation. Psychology of Human-Animal Intergroup Relations, 2. https://doi.org/10.5964/phair.9869  

Abstract:

Climate change mitigation is now a matter of urgency. Substantial mitigation effects can be achieved by changing consumer behavior, including food choice. Food systems generate 34% of global greenhouse emissions. Researchers can contribute to climate change mitigation by developing theory-informed interventions that entice consumers to choose low-emissions foods. This meta-analysis synthesizes past research, which developed interventions to influence food choices in restaurants and tested them experimentally. We meta-analyzed 83 interventions that aimed to entice people to choose low emissions meals. Results indicate that the primary focus of interventions developed to date is to change beliefs to alter food choices. Our meta-analysis reveals that such belief-based interventions have only a small effect particularly on food choice behavior (compared to intentions). Some alternative behavior change approaches prove to be more effective, including increasing the enjoyment associated with choosing the target meal, increasing its availability, and making it more convenient to choose. Our meta-analysis highlights that more field studies are needed. Only 25 out of 83 interventions took place in the field, with the remainder taking place in simulated restaurants (i.e., survey studies). Future research should focus on intervention mechanisms that have proven successful in the simulated restaurant context as well as on novel theoretical approaches that remain entirely unexplored, including targeting habits by either activating or deliberately disrupting them.

Greene, D., Nguyen, M., & Dolnicar, S. (2023). How to entice restaurant patrons to order low-emissions meals? A meta-analysis and research agenda. Appetite, 106612. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2023.106612

Abstract:

Meat consumption and convenience food are both located at the heart of contemporary, industrialized, unhealthy and unsustainable food systems. In this article, we study the intersections between convenience food and ‘meatification’ of diets, focusing on the ‘pølse’—an umbrella term including both hotdogs and a range of sausages—as the epitome of convenience food in Norway. We explore how the pølse is embedded in Norwegian food practices, and why it is considered convenient in different contexts. In doing so, we seek to explain how pølse eating is co-shaped by socio-material scripting processes that further entrench meat in food practices and complicate meat-reduction efforts. The analysis is based on 52 in-depth household interviews and autophotography in four geographical contexts in Norway, in addition to 22 park interviews and survey data centering on household food and meat practices. We use a theoretical apparatus combining social practice theory, foodscapes and socio-material scripts to analyse the conveniencization of pølse. The articles demonstrates how meat consumption and convenience food become entwined in specific social practices, and how conveniencization intersects with practices of care, notions of class, social expectations and normativity. Moreover, we show that despite the range of plant-based ‘pølse’ substitutes on offer, meat-eaters remain skeptical to its taste, and substitutes rather seem to offer a way into established social occasions for non-meat eaters than a way out of meat eating.

Hansen, A., & Wethal, U. (2023). “It’s just pølse”: Convenient meat consumption and reduction in Norway. Appetite, 188, 106611. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2023.106611

Abstract:

In many countries around the world, significant proportions of consumers report intentions to reduce their meat consumption. If followed through on, the intentions of these meat reducers could yield substantial environmental, health and animal welfare benefits. Existing research warns, however, that good intentions often go astray. In the current study, we examine the prevalence of intentions to reduce meat consumption in a representative sample of 1492 UK residents. We then investigate the situational correlates of intention-behaviour gaps in meat consumption among a group of 633 people with intentions to reduce their intake in a longitudinal survey involving event reconstruction exercises. Through these exercises, we collect data on the objective situational cues and psychological situational characteristics that predict when this group desired, ate and regretted eating meat during 2777 meal episodes. The results indicate that situational factors are predictive of the range of outcomes of interest. Situations that lend themselves to hedonic, rather than instrumental style, consumption, (e.g., non-routine meals, when the situation is perceived as being pleasant and when taste and craving are important decision factors), eating outside the home in cafés and restaurants and over at family or friend's homes and eating in the presence of others who are eating meat when are particularly predictive of intention-behaviour gaps. The findings highlight the need for intervention work which targets these situations to help meat reducers act as they intend.

Laffan, K., Lades, L. K., & Delaney, L. (2023). Paths that lead astray: Examining the situational predictors of intention-behaviour gaps in meat consumption. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 89, 102045. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2023.102045  

Abstract:

Our study analyzed the impact of African swine fever (ASF) news on the Korean meat market using sentiment analysis. We applied a neural network language model (NNLM) to generate a sentiment index indicating whether the news had a positive or negative impact on consumer expectations. We analyzed 24,143 news articles to estimate the impulse responses of meat price variables to sentiment shocks. Our study contributes significantly to agricultural economics as it applies NNLM to generate a sentiment index. The empirical results indicated that ASF news sentiment has a substantial impact on meat prices in Korea, and there is evidence of substitution effects among different types of meat. ASF news has a positive impact on the price of pork, negative effects on beef and chicken prices, and a greater impact on the price of chicken than beef. The findings imply that the effect of ASF news on demand outweighs its impact on supply in the pork market, whereas the effect on supply surpasses the effect on demand in the beef and chicken market. We believe our methods and results will inspire discussions among applied economists studying consumer behavior in this specific market and could encourage the application of big data analysis to the agricultural economy.

Soon, B. M., & Kim, W. (2023). The impact of African swine fever news sentiment on the Korean meat market. Plos One, 18(6), e0286520. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0286520 

Abstract:

Farm animal welfare has become a frequently discussed issue. However, the consumption of animal-friendly products remains a small part of total meat consumption. This study investigated whether providing consumers with more detailed information about animal husbandry systems could influence their product choices at a virtual supermarket. Participants (N = 124) were randomly assigned to one of three experiment conditions, which differed in terms of the information provided: 1) only animal-welfare label (control condition), 2) animal-welfare label and a positive video describing an organic animal husbandry system (AHS) (positive video condition), and 3) animal-welfare label, a positive video, and a negative video describing a conventional AHS (positive & negative video condition). In all conditions, participants needed to select an ingredient for a curry dish from three presented products, i.e., a conventional chicken breast, an organic chicken breast, and a plant-based meat alternative that looks like chicken meat. The results indicated that participants’ product choices were not significantly different between the three conditions. As shown by eye-tracking data, participants paid little attention to the animal-welfare-related information. Price was the most important information for participants’ purchasing choices. Also, participants’ meat-eating justification (MEJ) strategies were negatively correlated with their choice of products produced with higher animal-welfare standards. These results illustrate that providing more information about animal-welfare or the conditions under which animals are farmed alone is not enough to induce significant changes of consumers’ meat shopping behavior. The price of the products and participants’ MEJ strategies play important roles in consumers’ purchase decisions.

Xu, C., Hartmann, C., & Siegrist, M. (2023). The impact of information about animal husbandry systems on consumers’ choice of meat products in a virtual supermarket. Food and Humanity, 1, 459–470. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foohum.2023.06.019  

Abstract:

Although meat was considered fundamental for human health in the past, in recent decades, it has come to be considered a poison. The present study involved 197 pre-service primary teachers from two Portuguese institutions: one in an urban context and the other in a smaller city. It aimed to ascertain the main diet of the participants and their perceptions and knowledge about the impact of meat consumption on human health, the environment and animal welfare. It also aimed to identify which type of meat was considered better and worse for health, how important meat consumption is for adults and children, and to determine whether the participants would consider it important to reduce meat consumption in their diets and the reasons for doing so. The study uses mainly a methodological quantitative approach, and a questionnaire was designed and applied. The participants showed their preference for an omnivorous diet with no restrictions, considering this diet the best for human health, but the worst for the environment and animal welfare. Although meat consumption was considered important for human health, most participants considered that it would be important to consume less meat. From the answers given for the open questions, it was concluded that some respondents had difficulties in justifying their answers, revealing a certain lack of knowledge about the subject, which has important implications for teacher training courses.

Almeida, A., Torres, J., & Rodrigues, I. (2023). The impact of meat consumption on human health, the environment and animal welfare: Perceptions and knowledge of pre-service teachers. Societies, 13(6), 143. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc13060143 

Abstract:

Food consumption patterns are currently at the heart of sustainability debates globally, with many studies calling for decreases in Animal Source Foods (ASF) consumption. This has been increasingly argued for school meal schemes, considering their sheer size and the fact that by targeting young people they have the potential to enable long-term changes in consumption habits. However, the potential and consequences of dietary transitions away from ASF in school catering services are still under investigation. This work analyses the environmental and cost implications of ASF reduction in school canteens, exploring the possible sustainability impacts of menus based on individual ingredients for a set of Italian schools. We use a mixed-method approach that combines optimisation models, life cycle assessment, life cycle costing, and stakeholder consultation. The linear programming method is employed here to design four alterative school meal scenarios, starting from the menus currently served (SCB). Scenario 1 (SC1) minimises beef and dairy consumption, scenario 2 (SC2) minimises pig and poultry consumption, scenario 3 (SC3) minimises the consumption of all meat and dairy products, and scenario 4 (SC4) maximises the consumption of pulses. Each scenario is then assessed through a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment approach for key economic (i.e. costs) and environmental impacts (i.e. greenhouse gas emissions). Results suggest that reducing ASF in school food schemes can ensure nutritional quality and at the same time have environmental and economic benefits. The largest benefits accrue when minimising beef and dairy (SC1), leading to a 22% reduction in Global Warming Potential (GWP) and a 1% reduction in cost per meal. The minimisation of pig and poultry products in SC2 increases the GWP by 2% and costs by 3%, while the minimisation of all meat and dairy products reduces GWP by 12% and increases meal cost by 4% (SC3). Finally, by maximising pulses intake, the GWP per meal decreases by 12% and the cost by 1% (SC4). Overall, food procurement has the highest environmental impact and meal preparation the highest economic impact. Further research should investigate the acceptability of such menus and translate the theoretical findings of our model into more practical day-to-day school meal options.

Petruzzelli, M., García-Herrero, L., De Menna, F., & Vittuari, M. (2023). Towards sustainable school meals: Integrating environmental and cost implications for nutritious diets through optimisation modelling. Sustainability Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-023-01346-9  

Executive summary:

In this report, we identify the top opportunities for improving the lives and welfare of farmed fish in Denmark.

To improve the lives of fish, it is important to focus on the asks that will bring about the biggest improvements in the lives of fish for a given investment of effort. One part of this is reaching as many fish as possible. By far, the groups of farmed fish with the highest numbers in Denmark are a) fish living on freshwater farms, and b) juvenile fish. Therefore, improving the lives of these two groups of farmed fish is a priority. Almost all farmed fish in Denmark are rainbow trout.

With this in mind, we have identified two main priority asks.

Welfare reform for freshwater trout farms. This ask would aim to improve the welfare of trout on freshwater farms. In the Danish trout industry, the freshwater farm stage is home to 105 million individual trout every year. So, this ask could secure comprehensive welfare improvements for an immense number of fish. This ask would probably involve legislative lobbying to establish new regulations, and the first step would be to visit farms and obtain data on a collection of welfare indicators. 

Lobby for inquiry into juvenile trout welfare. This ask would involve lobbying the government to conduct an inquiry into the welfare of juvenile fish in Denmark. This would, in turn, get the industry to release more information on juvenile fish welfare and monitor the welfare of juvenile fish in the future. Every year, the industry produces roughly 148 million fingerlings and even more fry than this. The animal advocacy movement has recently turned its attention to juvenile fish, such as the work of the Norwegian Animal Protection Alliance, though campaigns are hindered by a lack of an evidence base. As a result, this ask could not only improve the lives of an immense number of fish in Denmark but also support future campaigns around the world.

There are a few smaller asks that would also be overall positive for the lives of fish, though the total benefit would be lower. These could be run as smaller campaigns, perhaps to secure some victories while the main campaigns are being run. These asks are: 1) increase the uptake of humane trout slaughter by farms; 2) encourage retailers to choose certification schemes that are focused on welfare; and 3) ban the live export of trout.

We also provide a detailed analysis of the context of Danish fish farming and detailed information about the industry, which will assist animal advocacy organisations in any campaign on fish welfare.

Springlea, R. (2023). Farmed fish advocacy in Denmark. Animal Ask. https://www.animalask.org/post/farmed-fish-advocacy-in-denmark

Abstract:

n/a

Gonzalez, T. J. (2023). ‘Positive’ animal welfare in aquaculture as a cardinal principle for sustainable development. Frontiers in Animal Science, 4. https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2023.1206035

Abstract:

As fish welfare becomes a growing concern, it is important to ensure humane treatment during slaughter. This study aimed to assess the onset of unconsciousness in Atlantic halibut immersed in CO2-saturated seawater through electroencephalography (EEG). Of the 29 fish studied, 10 exhibited escape attempts, indicating aversion to CO2-saturated water despite its oxygenation. EEG signals showed four distinct phases: transitional, excitation (high amplitude–high frequency), suppressed, and iso-electric phases. The onset of the suppressed phase, indicative of unconsciousness, occurred on average 258.8 ± 46.2 s after immersion. The spectral analysis of the EEG signals showed a progressive decrease in median frequency, spectral edge frequency, and high frequency contribution, which corresponded to the gradual loss of consciousness. The study concludes that CO2-saturated water is not recommended for pre-slaughter handling of halibut due to the extended time required for the onset of unconsciousness and the observed aversive behaviour. Ensuring humane treatment during slaughter is important for addressing public concern and safeguarding fish welfare in all stages of production.

Rucinque, D. S., van de Vis, H., Reimert, H., Roth, B., Foss, A., Taconeli, C. A., & Gerritzen, M. (2023). Pre-slaughter stunning of farmed atlantic halibut in CO2-Saturated seawater: Assessment of unconsciousness by electroencephalography (EEG). Animals : An Open Access Journal from MDPI, 13(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13121993 

Summary:

This study investigates the welfare of the main fish species reared in the European Union, and highlights current knowledge on fish welfare, knowledge gaps, fish needs and husbandry methods of concern for fish welfare. The study focuses on production systems and production phases in a species-specific way. Research includes a literature review, an evaluation of the regulatory framework, a stakeholders’ consultation, case studies and a SWOT analysis. Conclusions and policy recommendations relevant to EU decision-making are provided.

Pavlidis, M., Papaharisis, L., Adamek, M., Steinhagen, D., Jung-Schroers, V., Kristiansen, T., Theodoridi, A., & Otero Lourido, F. (2023). Research for PECH Committee: Animal welfare of farmed fish. EPRS: European Parliamentary Research Service. https://policycommons.net/artifacts/4315670/research-for-pech-committee/5125180/

Abstract:

Relative to the study of prejudice and stereotyping, the systematic study of how we animalize outgroup members is a newcomer to the study of intergroup relations. With remarkable gains made in the last two decades, the field is now represented by distinct methods and approaches emphasized across camps, with recent calls for conceptual integration (see this Special Issue). Our central contention is that the existing literature focuses too much on humans (and the psychological stripping away of humanness from targets) with insufficient attention to animals, particularly regarding how we think about and treat animals (i.e., human-animal relations). How and why we animalize other people is systematically linked to how we overvalue humans relative to other animals; dehumanization of other people carries its sting and clout because animals are disregarded or exploited as entities deserving less protection and fewer rights relative to humans. We argue that the dehumanization field would benefit from this perspective, including the introduction of novel interventions, but also that the spillover benefits would help us to better understand human nature and our future challenges.

Hodson, G., & Dhont, K. (2023). An integrated psychology of (animalistic) dehumanization requires a focus on human-animal relations. Current Research in Ecological and Social Psychology, 5, 100131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cresp.2023.100131 

Abstract:

Perspective taking can have positive effects in a range of intergroup contexts. In two experiments, we tested whether these effects generalize to two yet-to-be-studied nonhuman groups: animals and intelligent artificial entities. We found no overall effects of either taking the perspective of a farmed pig or an artificial entity on moral attitudes, compared to instructions to stay objective and a neutral condition. However, in both studies, mediation analysis indicated that perspective taking positively affected moral attitudes via empathic concern and self-other overlap, supporting two mechanisms well-established in the literature. The lack of overall effects may be partly explained by positive effects of staying objective on moral attitudes that offset the positive effects of perspective taking via empathic concern and self-other overlap. These findings suggest that perspective taking functions differently in the context of nonhuman groups relative to typical intergroup contexts. We consider this an important area for future research.

Ladak, A., Wilks, M., & Anthis, J. R. (2023). Extending perspective taking to nonhuman animals and artificial entities. Social Cognition, 41(3), 274–302. https://doi.org/10.1521/soco.2023.41.3.274

Abstract:

This paper explores the ethical quandary faced by researchers whose work advocates for non-human animals and whose results conflict with prevalent anthropocentric societal narratives. To problematise the concept of research bias, we qualitatively analyse contemporary political debates surrounding the treatment of animals to ascertain if, how, when, and by whom research can be conducted with scientific integrity whilst advocating for more ethical treatment of other animals. By taking a holistic approach to the issues of bias presented within the remit of human-animal studies (research concerning human-animal relations), this paper firstly addresses the historic ways in which accusations of bias are interwoven within the animal protection movement. We then explore the ongoing ways in which research concerning animal interests are politically targeted due to the threat such research presents to anthropocentric governing policies and societal practices. Finally, we analyse the legitimate causes of bias represented within the emerging field of human-animal studies. Overall, this paper highlights the pitfalls of research that advocates for animals whilst revealing the actual issues of bias that warrant further attention by the academic community.

Hooper, J., Aiello, T., Hill, K., Szydlowski, M., & Oxley Heaney, S. (2023). Nothing more than ‘anti-cull activists’: Accusations of bias and the politics of research that advocates for non-human animals. The Agrarian Scientific Journal, 12(1), 70–95. https://doi.org/10.14453/asj/v12i1.6

Abstract:

In the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia, the offering of a meat dish to guests is a deeply embedded cultural tradition, and a meat-based diet is the standard in Saudi Arabia. Thus, the rise of veganism and vegetarianism within Saudi Arabia is surprising and worthy of attention, as is understanding the perceptions and motivations behind this phenomenon, particularly as they relate to food and sustainability. This research was designed to investigate this emerging phenomenon and to identify key differences in dietarian identity between Saudi vegetarians and vegans using Rosenfeld and Burrow's Dietarian Identity Questionnaire. Among other results, the vegan group scored significantly higher on the prosocial motivation construct, suggesting the desire to help society as a whole is a stronger motivating factor for vegans. As well, the vegan cohort scored higher in the personal motivation category. From an environmental and public health perspective, understanding the key factors motivating individuals to adopt a vegetarian or vegan diet in a meat-based culture like Saudi Arabia can be used to encourage others to pursue more healthy and sustainable food behaviors.

Alnasser, A., & Alomran, N. (2023). The motivations and practices of vegetarian and vegan Saudis. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 9742. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-36980-x 

Abstract:

Introduction: Currently, it is observed that vegan and vegetarian diets have been much discussed in various media, attracting looks from those who seek to understand it as an awareness movement. In vegetarianism, most or all animal products are excluded, depending on the variations or subtypes. Veganism, in turn, encompasses dietary and social practices motivated by the non-exploitation or use of animals in all possible sectors. Today's society increasingly demands the need to consider ecological and social issues in choices and decision-making. Objectives: To identify the reason for choosing to adhere to a vegan or vegetarian diet in a sample of practitioners from the city of São Paulo. Methods: Cross-sectional study with qualitative analysis of the results. An adaptation of the questionnaire "Public opinion survey on vegetarianism" of IBOPE Intelligence (2018) was elaborated with open and closed questions, which was applied through the Google forms platform to a sample of 22 participants, inhabitants of the city of São Paulo and adherents to vegan/vegetarian diets for at least one year. The questionnaire was disseminated through online social platforms. Results and discussion: The sample had the participation of 72.7% of individuals aged 18 to 30 years, most of them female (90.9%). The information collected states that the vegan/vegetarian diet is considered today as a 'lifestyle', more than a diet, also associated with 'personal identity'. In addition, the 'strong feeling of empathy for animals and their causes', 'awareness of the environmental impacts of the omnivorous diet', 'improvement in quality of life or health' and 'feeling of lightness or purity in the spiritual and/or mental and/or psychological sphere' were the main motivating items for adherence to the vegan/vegetarian diet, respectively. Conclusion: The present study allowed a deeper understanding of the vegan/vegetarian diet in Brazil and the world, its origins, dilemmas and diverse interpretations. The movement is relatively new, not only as a form of food, but also as a lifestyle.

Lee, C. H. so, Cabral, A. C. M. M., & Maia, L. B. (2023). Motivations for the practice of veganism and vegetarianism in a sample of adherents from the city of São Paulo. In A Look at Development. https://doi.org/10.56238/alookdevelopv1-168 

Abstract:

In April, we published a report looking at how likely different groups are to take pro-animal actions. That report and its companion graphing tool let us compare people in different regions, with different levels of concern about climate change, or even distance from their nearest grocery store–or using one of many other characteristics. But since then, some advocates have asked us about how those characteristics combine: What about young men, rather than just men? Or people who live in the suburbs? This blog post follows up on some of those useful combinations, but let us know if you have more!

Wulderk, Z. (2023). Young men, Republican women, And more: Targeting some key subgroups. Faunalytics. https://faunalytics.org/comparing-selected-u-s-subgroups-openness-to-pro-animal-actions/