October 2023

Abstract:

Conventional seafood production contributes to some of the most alarming global problems we face at present, such as the destabilization of aquatic ecosystems, human health risks, and serious concerns for the welfare of trillions of aquatic animals each year. The increasing global appetite for seafood necessitates the development of alternative production methods that meet consumer demand, while circumventing the aforementioned problems. Among such alternatives, cell-based seafood is a promising approach. For its production, cells are taken from live aquatic animals and are cultivated in growth media, thus making the rearing, catching, and slaughtering of a great number of animals redundant. In recent years, this alternative production method has transitioned from aspiration to reality, and several cell-based seafood start-ups are preparing to launch their products. Market success, however, has been reckoned to largely depend on consumer attitudes. So far, there has been little research exploring this within Asia, and none in Japan, which has one of the highest seafood consumption footprints per capita globally. The present study explores cell-based seafood-related knowledge, attitudes and behavioral intentions of Japanese consumers (n = 110) via a questionnaire-based, quantitative analysis. Although findings suggest low awareness of the concept of cell-based seafood, attitudes and intentions were positive overall, with about 70% of participants expressing an interest in tasting, and 60% expressing a general willingness to buy cell-based seafood. Younger age was significantly associated with more positive attitudes, while prior knowledge of cell-based seafood was strongly linked to willingness to pay a premium for cell-based products. While highlighting the need for information campaigns to educate Japanese consumers about cell-based seafood, this study’s findings suggest the Japanese market to be moderately ready for the launch of such products.

Braun, P. D., & Knight, A. (2023). Appetite or distaste for cell-based seafood? An examination of Japanese consumer attitudes. Commodities, 2(4), 329–354. https://doi.org/10.3390/commodities2040019

Abstract:

The increasing global demand for meat causes additional environmental and food security issues. Adoption of a healthy and sustainable diet through the reduction of meat consumption may represent one approach to tackle these problems. An online survey collected responses from meat-eaters in Australia (n = 503), China (n = 785) and the UK (n = 489) to review the importance of considering cross-cultural and demographic differences when investigating meat-eating behaviour. The aim of this study was to understand meat consumption habits and the associations between consumers’ willingness to reduce meat/ adopt protein alternatives (meat substitutes, edible insects, cultured meat), with the influence of age, gender and country. To aid interpretation and explore interrelationships between variables, regression tree analysis using the CHAID algorithm was used. Results found country to be the most influential factor in predicting changes to meat consumption and willingness to reduce meat/adopt alternatives. Overall, Australians, especially those aged 35–54, were significantly less willing to reduce and adopt alternatives compared to Chinese and UK consumers. Interestingly, Chinese males were more willing to reduce meat and adopt alternatives, whilst the opposite trend was found in the UK. Findings highlight the importance of considering cultural differences, age and gender when designing country specific meat reduction strategies. It also emphasises the need to introduce appropriate protein alternative categories that will help facilitate a dietary transition in a given country. Overall, regression tree analysis has proven to be a useful stats tool to help explain complex interrelationships (e.g., meat consumption with other psychographic behaviours) in the current study.

Ford, H., Zhang, Y., Gould, J., Danner, L., Bastian, S. E. P., Ford, R., & Yang, Q. (2023). Applying regression tree analysis to explore willingness to reduce meat and adopt protein alternatives among Australia, China and the UK. Food Quality and Preference, 112, 105034. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2023.105034 

Abstract:

Veganism is the practice of abstaining from food products derived, either entirely or partially, from animals. This qualitative exploratory study aimed to explore the perspectives of Indian vegan food service providers on their motives, vegan consumption trends, challenges, and the future of vegan consumption in India through the lenses of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation theories and sense-making theory. Of the 65 vegan-specific restaurants contacted across India, thirteen service providers gave their consent to participate in the survey. Data were collected through telephone interviews. A content analysis approach was used to analyse the interview transcripts. The results indicate that vegan food service providers face both operational and market-related challenges. COVID-19 pandemic has had both positive and negative impacts on vegan food services. Despite various challenges, suppliers perceive that the demand for vegan food services will progress in India due to increasing interest in veganism by consumers from tier two and three cities, as well as consumers’ increased interest in health and wellbeing. The results of this study have significant implications for vegan food service providers, researchers, and marketers.

Kotebagilu, N. P., Bhatia, S., & Piramanayagam, S. (2023). A qualitative investigation on Indian vegan food service providers’ perspective of trends, challenges and the future of vegan consumption. International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science, 34, 100824. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijgfs.2023.100824 

Abstract:

The present research contributed new knowledge to support consumers’ uptake of plant-based (PB) foods and the wider transition to flexitarian and PB diets. Focus was directed to under-investigated PB foods – PB yoghurt and PB eggs – which were studied in a sample of urban-living adult Australian consumers (n = 2114). The research strategy used a combination of text highlighting and rating-based conjoint analysis, and this generated insights that were generic to each product category (text highlighting) and those that revealed preferences for specific product characteristics (text highlighting, conjoint analysis). In text highlighting, the results for the two product categories were similar in finding that consumers responded positively to information about the environmental and personal health benefits of PB foods. Negative responses (text highlighting) were observed for information relating to certain product characteristics. In the conjoint analysis, average purchase intention ratings were 3.6 for PB yoghurt and 3.7 for PB eggs, and thus closer to ‘not at all interested in buying’ (1) than to ‘very interested in buying’ (9). For PB yoghurt, the product concept that received the highest purchase intent had the lowest price and was based on soy milk with 3 % fat content. For PB eggs, only the PB ingredients used influenced stated purchase intent significantly, with positive utility for the combination of green split peas and chickpeas (compared to the combination of mung beans and lupin beans). Individual variables influenced consumer purchase intent in expected ways, and the results identified attitude to PB diets and PB product familiarity as most important, with sex, age, educational attainment, food neophobia and type of diet (omnivore, flexitarian and vegetarian) as lesser influences. These results suggest that improving attitudes to and familiarity with PB foods could contribute to support uptake of PB yoghurt and PB eggs among Australian consumers.

Jaeger, S. R., Chheang, S. L., & Ares, G. (2023). Beyond plant-based alternatives to milk and meat: Product and individual variables influence purchase intention for plant-based yoghurt and eggs. Food Quality and Preference, 112, 105019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2023.105019 

Abstract:

This guidance applied systematic approaches to developing food safety plans using cell culture, pharmaceuticals, fermentation, seafood, meat, and aquaponics safety plans, collaborating with experts with different backgrounds, and working closely with the conventional and cultivated meat and seafood industries. Most identified hazards were related to general food processing facilities and practices, but several novel hazards were determined and addressed due to the novelty of the manufacturing. The main differences between the food safety plan for cultivated seafood and the conventional seafood industries were the number of allergens in cultivated seafood products, including soy, wheat, and fish cells, compared to only fish for the conventional seafood industry. In addition, there are several hazards associated with mycoplasma in cultivated seafood. This guidance intends to help regulatory agencies, food safety experts, startup companies, and the cultivated seafood industry by providing a valuable platform to develop regulations, guidance, and food safety plans applicable to most cultivated seafood companies. This article will also help the industry to identify the hazards in their processing line and develop preventive controls, and as a comprehensive food safety plan, it could be easily adapted for other cultivated seafood products. This guidance will be the basis for developing food safety plans for the cultivated seafood industry.

Ovissipour, R., Yang, X., Saldana, Y. T., Kaplan, D. L., Nitin, N., Shirazi, A., Chirdon, B., White, W., & Rasco, B. A. (2023). Cell-based fish production: Case study for developing a food safety plan. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4596174  

Abstract:

Exploring the politics of meat reduction. 

Bryant Research. (2023). Chewing it over: Public attitudes to alternative proteins and meat reduction. Bryant Research. https://bryantresearch.co.uk/insight-items/attitudes-toward-alternativeproteins 

Abstract:

n/a

Coucke, N., Slabbinck, H., & Vermeir, I. (2023). Consumer preferences towards plant-based, hybrid and cultivated meat analogues offered in different meal contexts and at various consumption moments: A choice-based conjoint experimental design and an online survey. Food Quality and Preference, 105006. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2023.105006

Abstract:

According to the definition adopted in the European Union, novel foods are foods that were not consumed to a significant degree within the Union before 15 of May 1997; this includes cultivated meat and insects. Novel foods are meant to play a critical role in the transition towards sustainable food systems. However, their success depends on whether and to what extent they will be incorporated into the diets at the population level. This review investigates consumers´ perception of novel food products by narratively synthesising results on the influence of heuristics and biases triggered by emotions, personality traits, and socio-cultural factors. Empirical studies conducted in Western countries and published in English after 1997 were eligible, which led to 182 studies being included. Disgust and fear are shown to be the predominant emotions driving rejection, together with food neophobia and specific cultural norms common across countries included in the scope of the review. Familiarity with these novel foods leads to higher acceptance, alongside curiosity. Despite being investigated directly in a minority of studies, heuristics and related biases mostly fell under the “affect”, the “natural-is-better”, and the “trust” heuristics. The review also discusses to what extent such perception reflects in the regulatory framework applicable to novel foods in the European Union, how it influences the regulation of insects and cultivated meat and which lessons can be drawn for the future of the regulatory framework.

Monaco, A., Kotz, J., Al Masri, M., Allmeta, A., Purnhagen, K. P., & König, L. M. (2023). Consumers’ perception of novel foods and the impact of heuristics and biases: A systematic review. OSF Preprints. https://osf.io/5js72

Abstract:

Cultured meat is a novel technology-based meat alternative with the potential to complement protein supply for a growing world population. An increasing body of consumer research has investigated personal factors explaining consumers’ acceptance of cultured meat. Research on cultural and economic drivers impacting consumer responses across countries, however, is scant. In this light, this article aims to provide a cross-cultural perspective on cultured meat acceptance and guide future empirical research in this domain. First, this article proposes a framework to explain cross-national differences in cultured meat acceptance comprising societal factors (i.e., culture and religion), indicators of the food environment (i.e., meat production and consumption), and economic market parameters (i.e., gross domestic product, carbon dioxide emissions, and population growth). Second, the paper applies a systematic literature review, including 105 empirical consumer studies related to cultured meat. Third, the identified papers are analyzed according to the proposed framework. The findings of this descriptive analysis demonstrate that empirical research to date has predominately been conducted in countries that produce and consume high amounts of meat and are characterized by high gross domestic products per capita. Many of these surveyed countries harbor secular-rational and self-expressional cultural value orientations. Other country types have been less prominently explored, although they represent potentially relevant target markets for cultured meat in the future. Cross-cultural research aiming to explain differences across countries is scarce. To guide future research, the paper develops research propositions relating societal factors, food environment, and market-related factors to consumer acceptance of cultured meat across countries.

Lewisch, L., & Riefler, P. (2023). Cultured meat acceptance for global food security: A systematic literature review and future research directions. Agricultural Economics (Amsterdam, Netherlands), 11(1), 48. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40100-023-00287-2 

Abstract:

School interventions can have a significant impact on promoting plant-based (PB) diets, which can benefit both health and environmental sustainability. This co-creation and repeated exposure study was conducted in a high school and is divided into 3 parts, a) Co-creation with adolescents (aged 12-16) and chefs to develop innovative PB dishes, b) Global profile (liking, sensory properties, emotions) of the new dishes, c) Repeated exposure for 6 weeks. Using a combination of techniques, 25 adolescents and four chefs took part in iterative sessions of focus group discussions to identify ideas for new PB dishes. Interviews were conducted with 17 adolescents who tasted the five most-liked dishes, using the EmoSemio approach to define a global profile questionnaire. This was then used with 147 adolescents that were characterised for taste responsiveness and food neophobia, to study their liking, sensory/emotional responses to the dishes. The most promising dish was chosen and a 6-week exposure experiment was conducted with 60 adolescents. Results indicate that all five dishes were accepted (mean liking=54.6/100). Taste responsiveness and neophobia were significantly associated with the dish liking, with students who were less responsive to taste and more neophobic liking the dishes less (p < 0.0001). Individual differences were further explored through preference mapping combined with hierarchical clustering. Four clusters with distinct hedonic patterns were identified, with two dishes, different in terms of sensory properties, being accepted by all clusters. One of the two induced positive emotions higher in arousal and novelty and appeared the most viable for school canteen use. Liking and positive emotional responses for the selected dish remained stable during a 6-week repeated exposure experiment, unlike a control dish with a plain taste. Co-creation with adolescents and chefs was effective for developing innovative and accepted PB dishes for school canteens.

Kokkorou, M., Dinnella, C., Spinelli, S., Wollgast, J., Maragkoudakis, P., & Monteleone, E. (2023). Developing tailor-made plant-based dishes with adolescents for school canteens. European Journal of Public Health, 33(Supplement_2). https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckad160.1423  

Abstract:

Emerging as a food of the future, cultured meat is created by growing animal cells outside the organism instead of relying on traditional animal rearing and slaughtering practices. This innovative approach shows great promise in addressing challenges associated with resource utilization, environmental pollution, and public health concerns often encountered in conventional livestock production. In the past decade, popularity of cultured meat has grown enough to be considered as a novel food in regions like Europe, the United Kingdom, and China. This paper discusses the recent advancements in technologies for sustainable cultured meat production. It examines the latest developments in cell sources, cell culture media optimization, bioreactor design, 3D printing, and tissue engineering approaches, which have greatly enhanced the efficiency and scalability of cultured meat production. This food can have a tremendous application as a novel functional food. This review explores the future possibility of applying cultured meat matrix for delivery of hydrophobic nutraceuticals, prebiotics, and probiotics (Bacillus sp).

Roy, N. K., Panda, S., & Dey, G. (2023). Engineering a sustainable protein revolution: Recent advances in cultured meat production. Food Bioengineering. https://doi.org/10.1002/fbe2.12066  

Abstract:

Plant-based meat and cultured meat are two emerging alternatives to meat products as they have the potential to mitigate the adverse health and environmental impacts associated with meat consumption and production. Given plant-based meat is still in its infancy and cultured meat is not yet available in China, it is important to understand the economic implications of consumer’s preference for these meat alternatives. With an online consumer survey, we elicit consumer’s willingness to pay (WTP) for these two meat alternatives using a payment card method, and specifically examine the effects of six different types of information on consumer’s WTPs. Our main findings first indicate that positive/negative information has positive/negative effects on consumers’ WTP. With positive information, both nutritional and environmental information increase consumers’ WTPs. Moreover, specific information has a larger effect than general information, only for positive nutritional information. Lastly, knowledge about these meat alternatives, self-reported previous experiences with the meat alternative, education, income level, and the presence of children are positively associated with consumers’ WTPs, while age is negatively associated. These findings may facilitate designing effective consumer information campaigns, ultimately aiding in consumers’ choice of the meat alternatives.

Chen, B., Zhou, G., & Hu, Y. (2023). Estimating consumers’ willingness to pay for plant-based meat and cultured meat in China. Food Quality and Preference, 111, 104962. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2023.104962 

Abstract:

Partial shifts from animal-based to plant-based proteins in human diets could reduce environmental pressure from food systems and serve human health. Grain legumes can play an important role here. They are one of the few agricultural commodities for which Europe is not nearly self-sufficient. Here, we assessed area expansion and yield increases needed for European self-sufficiency of faba bean, pea and soybean. We show that such production could use substantially less cropland (4–8%) and reduce GHG emissions (7–22% current meat production) when substituting for animal-derived food proteins. We discuss changes required in food and agricultural systems to make grain legumes competitive with cereals for farmers and how their cultivation can help to increase sustainability of European cropping systems.

van Loon, M. P., Alimagham, S., Pronk, A., Fodor, N., Ion, V., Kryvoshein, O., Kryvobok, O., Marrou, H., Mihail, R., Mínguez, M. I., Pulina, A., Reckling, M., Rittler, L., Roggero, P. P., Stoddard, F. L., Topp, C. F. E., van der Wel, J., Watson, C., & van Ittersum, M. K. (2023). Grain legume production in Europe for food, feed and meat-substitution. Global Food Security, 39, 100723. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gfs.2023.100723 

Abstract:

Wide-scale commercialization of cultured meat, produced from in vitro-grown animal stem cells, is still a long way off because of technical, regulatory and, above all, social acceptability constraints. As a result, despite the advancement of knowledge, it is difficult to predict whether this innovation will be commonly accepted. The concept of media framing is key to better understanding individuals’ decision-making and mental interpretative patterns in relation to cultured meat adoption. This research therefore analyzes the role of media framing (namely the social media platform Twitter) on the components of consumer attitudes (cognitive, affective, and conative) in relation to cultured meat. A total of 23 020 publications and 38 531 comments were analyzed qualitatively (content analysis) and quantitatively (MANOVA). This study showed that media-framed posts influenced consumer attitudes more than did non-media-framed posts. Although the results indicate that the different types of media framing (ethical, intrinsic, informational, and belief) do not exert the same influence on each attitude component, they suggest that posts combining the ethical, intrinsic, and informational media frames have a greater impact on the acceptability of cultured meat and that the belief frame is equally important, particularly for the behavioral component. Relevant implications can be drawn for authorities and businesses on the use of differentiated education and marketing strategies.

Kouarfaté, B. B., & Durif, F. (2023). Improving Understanding of Consumer Attitudes toward Cultured Meat through the Lens of Online Media Framing. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202310.0011.v1  

Abstract:

This study is about the role of consumers' personal values (Self-enhancement, Openness to change, Self-transcendence, and Conservation) in consumers' interest towards meat alternatives. In addition, the underlying role of two social motives, status and group affiliation are analysed. A conceptual model with hypotheses was developed and validated, and the hypotheses were tested through PLS-SEM with data from four European countries (Finland, the UK, Germany, and Sweden, total N = 3600). The results show that self-focused personal values (Self-enhancement and Openness to change) are not associated with consumers’ interest towards meat alternatives. The case is different with other-focused values. Self-transcendence had a positive connection to interest while Conservation had a negative relationship. Finally, the data suggest an underlying role of social motive status between Self-enhancement and interest and the same for group affiliation between Self-transcendence and Conservation and interest. Based on the results, strategies to support meat alternative adoption such as value activation through priming, cognition and emotion-driven marketing are proposed.

Pennanen, K., Malila, R.-M., & Luomala, H. T. (2023). Is it me or others who matter? The interplay between consumer values vis-à-vis status and affiliation motives as shapers of meat alternative interest. Appetite, 107114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2023.107114 

Abstract:

Evidence regarding whether consumers view plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) as substitutes or complements to animal-based meat is limited; however, the ultimate effect of increased demand for plant-based meats on poultry and livestock production depends on this relationship.  While the research on consumer demand for meat alternatives is growing, most current elasticity estimates are based on stated preferences discrete choice models, which assume consumers choose only one option and that all options are substitutes. This study employs a basket-based choice experiment (BBCE) to estimate own- and cross-price elasticities at both disaggregate and aggregate product levels. We utilized a between-sample approach and designed two BBCEs to reflect both at-home and away-from-home consumption settings. We then used the results from the BBCE to inform an equilibrium displacement model. Our findings indicate that: 1) consumers are more price-sensitive when dining out than when eating at home, 2) own price elasticity for PBMAs lie between premium meat options (salmon and ribeye steak) and more affordable choices (burgers and chicken breast), 3) PBMAs complement conventional meat in at-home consumption but show a mix of complementarity and substitution dynamics in dining out; and 4) lowering prices of plant-based beef and chicken alternatives is unlikely to significantly impact conventional poultry and livestock production. 

Caputo, V., Lusk, J. L., & Blaustein-Rejto, D. (2023). Plant-based versus conventional meat: Substitution, complementarity, and market impacts. Preprint. https://jaysonlusk.com/s/Manuscript-PBMAs-FINAL.pdf 

Abstract:

Introduction: Over the past years, several efforts have been made to formulate and develop plant-based substitutes of animal-based products in response to environmental changes, health issues and animal welfare. However, plant-based protein poses several challenges to product sensory characteristics, especially appearance, flavor, and texture. Despite this, current literature data have mainly reviewed nutritional, technological, and sustainability aspects of plant-based products with limited concerns on perceived sensory properties and perceptive barriers to consumption related to each specific substitute. To fill this literature gap, this systematic review aims to provide an up-to-date overview of the perceptive determinants of consumers' acceptance of plant-based substitutes of animal-origin products, including meat, dairy, fish and eggs analogs, with emphasis on product's intrinsic properties: appearance, smell, taste, and texture. Moreover, age-, gender-, and cultural-related differences in the appreciation/rejection of plant-based substitutes of animal-origin products were investigated.

Methods: The systematic analysis of the literature consulting Web of Science (Core Collection) and Scopus databases retrieved 13 research articles on meat, 26 on dairy, and two on fish and eggs analogs.

Results and discussion: Results showed that all sensory dimensions are influenced by the replacement of animal proteins with those of vegetable origin. However, the relative importance of appearance, odor, taste, and texture varied according to plant-based analogs category and mitigatory processing strategies to mask unpleasant sensory properties have been suggested for each category. Dairy analogs mainly suffer of aromas and flavors imparted by the raw materials, while both meat and dairy analogs have texture challenges. Meat analogs lack of juiciness, elasticity and firmness, while dairy analogs require uniform, creamy and thick texture. Moreover, very few studies analyzed the product's perception, considering age- and gender-related differences or cross-national/cultural differences. Future research should be addressed to specific product categories such as fish and eggs analogs as well as specific population targets including children and the elderly and consumers from developing countries.

Appiani, M., Cattaneo, C., & Laureati, M. (2023). Sensory properties and consumer acceptance of plant-based meat, dairy, fish and eggs analogs: A systematic review. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1268068

Abstract:

Introduction: Over the past years, several efforts have been made to formulate and develop plant-based substitutes of animal-based products in response to environmental changes, health issues and animal welfare. However, plant-based protein poses several challenges to product sensory characteristics, especially appearance, flavor, and texture. Despite this, current literature data have mainly reviewed nutritional, technological, and sustainability aspects of plant-based products with limited concerns on perceived sensory properties and perceptive barriers to consumption related to each specific substitute. To fill this literature gap, this systematic review aims to provide an up-to-date overview of the perceptive determinants of consumers' acceptance of plant-based substitutes of animal-origin products, including meat, dairy, fish and eggs analogs, with emphasis on product's intrinsic properties: appearance, smell, taste, and texture. Moreover, age-, gender-, and cultural-related differences in the appreciation/rejection of plant-based substitutes of animal-origin products were investigated.

Methods: The systematic analysis of the literature consulting Web of Science (Core Collection) and Scopus databases retrieved 13 research articles on meat, 26 on dairy, and two on fish and eggs analogs.

Results and discussion: Results showed that all sensory dimensions are influenced by the replacement of animal proteins with those of vegetable origin. However, the relative importance of appearance, odor, taste, and texture varied according to plant-based analogs category and mitigatory processing strategies to mask unpleasant sensory properties have been suggested for each category. Dairy analogs mainly suffer of aromas and flavors imparted by the raw materials, while both meat and dairy analogs have texture challenges. Meat analogs lack of juiciness, elasticity and firmness, while dairy analogs require uniform, creamy and thick texture. Moreover, very few studies analyzed the product's perception, considering age- and gender-related differences or cross-national/cultural differences. Future research should be addressed to specific product categories such as fish and eggs analogs as well as specific population targets including children and the elderly and consumers from developing countries.

Appiani, M., Cattaneo, C., & Laureati, M. (2023). Sensory properties and consumer acceptance of plant-based meat, dairy, fish and eggs analogs: A systematic review. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1268068

Abstract:

Taste is a frequently cited barrier to greater adoption of plant-based foods. Many person-related factors that moderate the acceptance of plant-based foods (e.g., environmental concerns, the cultural value of meat, etc.) are also associated with political ideologies. Although political affiliation is an increasingly prominent personal identity, its involvement in the acceptance of plant-based diets is vastly understudied. To test our hypothesis that political leaning influences acceptance of plant-based foods, we designed two consumer studies to assess 1) differences in meat and plant-based food liking and behavioral intentions between members of different political parties in the United States and 2) the impact of a novel messaging strategy – partisan endorsement of plant-based recommendations – on expected taste (online survey) and experienced taste (central location test). Respondents identifying as Democrats reported higher expected taste, purchase intention, consumption intention, and eating frequency of plant protein foods, while Republicans reported higher expected meat tastiness, meat consumption intention, and meat consumption frequency. However, we found a limited effect of partisan endorsement on expected and experienced taste of plant-based foods. Notably, endorsement of plant-based foods from party leaders that matched a participant’s political affiliation decreased the taste liking of a beef/pork meatball. Factors such as moral satisfaction, meat attachment, and social norms differed by political affiliation and these factors were associated with expected and/or experienced taste of both meat and plant protein foods. Accounting for political affiliations may enhance targeted strategies for plant-based food promotion and thus support acceptance of this healthy and sustainable food option. 

Kershaw, J. C., Nolden, A. A., Brown, A. R., Hites, T., & Jefferies, L. K. (2023). Tastiness of meat and plant protein foods are associated with political partisanship and may be influenced by partisan messaging. Food Quality and Preference, 112, 105039. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2023.105039 

Abstract:

This article captures and critiques a recurring and prominent political argument against animal wel-fare improvements in Switzerland which we term the “ranking argument”. This states that Swiss ani-mal welfare law ranks among the strictest in the world, therefore no improvements are called for. This argument was advanced three times by Swiss government authorities in 2022 alone, but also in a case dating back to 1984, to advise the electorate on popular initiatives aiming at animal welfare improvements. We argue that, while the argument commits a fallacy of relative privation and is ethi-cally dubious, it can be deployed to great effect by agents opposed to norm change in animal welfare regulation. We conclude with some thoughts on how the ranking argument can and should be chal-lenged in public discourse.

Rodriguez Perez, C., Müller, N. D., Persson, K., & Shaw, D. M. (2023). The ranking argument: Challenging favourable comparative rhetoric about Swiss animal welfare law. LEOH - Journal of Animal Law, Ethics and One Health, 44–55. https://doi.org/10.58590/leoh.2023.004

Abstract:

Plant-based meat substitutes (PBMA) offer a way to lessen the negative effects of human activity and consumption on the environment and to achieve sustainability in the food sector. This study investigates the role of health consciousness in the consumption of PBMA. We conducted a cross-sectional survey-based study with a sample of 317 French consumers. Our findings indicate that health consciousness is positively associated with awareness of PBMA. They also reveal that the effect of health consciousness on willingness to consume the products is serially mediated through awareness and attitudes toward buying the products. As such, consumers may benefit from receiving additional information that identifies the benefits of buying and eating PBMA. Consequently, managers are advised to consider promoting PBMA as compatible with multiple foodstuffs and easy-to-cook products. They also might want to raise awareness among consumers by creating long-term communication campaigns emphasizing the experiential value of consuming PBMA and holding in-store cooking classes led by expert chefs to teach consumers how to cook the products.

Sánchez Romero, A. M., & Ladwein, R. (2023). Understanding the role of health consciousness in the consumption of plant-based meat alternatives: A sequential mediation model. Sains Malaysiana, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.51300/JSM-2023-110 

Abstract:

The purpose of this study is to examine how different consumption values influence consumer intentions to choose a dish featuring plant-based meat alternatives at a restaurant by applying the theory of consumption values. The present study also investigates the mediating role of attitude in the relationships between values and consumer intentions. Responses were collected through the Qualtrics panel service and structural equation modeling was employed to analyze the data. The results, based on a total of 682 usable panel responses, indicate that emotional and epistemic values acted as significant driving forces, directly promoting consumers’ intention. Attitude was aroused by distinctive, functional, emotional, and conditional values and in turn, significantly impacted intention. Furthermore, it was found that attitude fully mediated the relationship between conditional value and intention. The results offer useful implications for restaurants that offer menus with plant-based meat alternatives.

Shin, Y. H., Jung, S. E., Kim, H., Im, J., Shin, H. W., & Wilson, S. (2023). What motivates U.S. restaurant customers to choose plant-based meat alternative dishes? Journal of Foodservice Business Research, 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/15378020.2023.2271297 

Abstract:

Populations in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) typically consume less than the recommended daily amount of protein. Alternative protein (AP) sources could help combat malnutrition, but this requires careful consideration of elements needed to further establish AP products in LMIC. Key considerations include technological, nutritional, safety, social, and economic challenges. This perspective analyzes these considerations in achieving dietary diversity in LMIC, using a combination of traditional and novel protein sources with high nutritional value, namely, soy, mycoprotein, and cultivated meat. Technological approaches to modulate the technofunctionality and bitter off-tastes of plant-sourced proteins facilitate processing and ensure consumer acceptance. Economic considerations for inputs, infrastructure for production, and transportation represent key elements to scale up AP. Dietary diversification is indispensable and LMIC cannot rely on plant proteins alone to provide adequate protein intake sustainably. Investments in infrastructure and innovation are urgently needed to offer diverse sources of protein in LMIC.

Gradl, K., Sánchez Hernández, A. S., Grayson, W. L., Finnigan, T. J. A., Theobald, H. E., Kashi, B., & Somoza, V. (2023). What technological and economic elements must be addressed to support the affordability, accessibility, and desirability of alternative proteins in LMIC? Current Developments in Nutrition, 102027. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cdnut.2023.102027 

Abstract:

A survey of UK consumers on their views on PBM, and implications for producers to increase market growth. 

Bryant Research. (2023b). What we know about UK plant-based meat consumers. Bryant Research. https://bryantresearch.co.uk/insight-items/uk-pbm-consumers/ 

Abstract:

Literature surrounding key aspects of broiler chicken husbandry and its relation to animal welfare are reviewed, for the context of broiler chicken farming in Indonesia. This review focuses on husbandry of commercially grown broiler chickens on farm, including light systems, litter substrates, lameness, contact dermatitis, heat stress and climate control. Common assessment methods of broiler chicken welfare are also reviewed. Key broiler welfare issues in Indonesia are likely to be heat stress, lameness, and contact dermatitis, and these may result in reduced productivity. Considering photoperiod and reviewing litter substrate management could be economical and practical ways to improve welfare. Footpad dermatitis and lameness are useful indicators of broiler welfare, and the high market demand for chicken feet in Asia could serve as an incentive to improve broiler welfare and chicken foot quality in the region.

Wilcox, C. H., Sandilands, V., Mayasari, N., Asmara, I. Y., & Anang, A. (2023). A literature review of broiler chicken welfare, husbandry, and assessment. World’s Poultry Science Journal, 1–30. https://doi.org/10.1080/00439339.2023.2264824 

Abstract:

The insects as food and feed (IAFF) industry represents one of the largest undertakings of industrial livestock rearing in human history, with at least a trillion animals reared each year and massive growth potential. As other livestock industries have grown, animal welfare science has become an essential field for maintaining socially responsible, ethical, and sustainable industry practice. Like traditional livestock industries, the IAFF industry could also benefit – ethically, socially, and economically – from a field of welfare science. Here, we present three economic reasons for considering animal welfare in intensive production systems: (1) improving production outcomes, (2) maintaining social license to operate, and (3) differentiating products. In each case, we provide examples from established livestock industries that highlight how the field of animal welfare science can benefit producers. Further, we provide examples of how the IAFF industry would benefit from the support of a dedicated field of welfare science. We end by calling attention to key partnerships between entomologists, welfare scientists, and producers that could advance the common goals of these stakeholder groups, as well as animal welfare in insect agriculture.

Barrett, M., & Adcock, S. J. J. (2023). Animal welfare science: An integral piece of sustainable insect agriculture. Journal of Insects as Food and Feed. https://brill.com/view/journals/jiff/aop/article-10.1163-23524588-20230126/article-10.1163-23524588-20230126.xml

Abstract:

The welfare of invertebrates under human care is of growing concern, particularly with the increasing interest in insect farming as an environmentally sustainable means of producing food. Additionally, individual welfare monitoring systems can be time-consuming and impractical for larger groups, particularly when individual animals are difficult to identify. It is, therefore, imperative to develop a validated system for monitoring terrestrial invertebrate welfare at a group level. The Animal Welfare Assessment Grid (AWAG) is an objective welfare-monitoring tool that has been approved for use with a wide range of species. This study modified the AWAG for large group-level welfare assessments and successfully trialled it on a terrestrial invertebrate species, a group of captive male Gromphadorhina oblongonota. The modified template evaluated the group’s welfare by scoring changes to 12 factors that could be tracked over time. The results highlight that the welfare of G. oblongonota is likely to be influenced by environmental and social factors, and inform practical improvements in G. oblongonota care that will result in improved welfare. The findings also demonstrate an efficient way to assess the welfare of invertebrates at the group level, and given the recent UK legislation (Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill, 2022) plus the emerging interest in invertebrate farming, our findings hold timely significance.

Free, D., & Wolfensohn, S. (2023). Assessing the welfare of captive group-housed cockroaches, Gromphadorhina oblongonota. Animals : An Open Access Journal from MDPI, 13(21). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13213351 

Abstract:

Consumer concern for animal welfare is currently not fully reflected in the market share of welfare-enhanced meat. A possible solution is developing marketing strategies that emphasize personally relevant benefits such as taste and curiosity, instead of having a sole focus on sustainability-related benefits, since existing research indicates that the former are more appealing to most consumers. This study tests strategies positioning welfare-enhanced meat as personally relevant in a real-life experiment and how consumer attitudes towards eating meat influence reactions to the positioning strategies. The study conducts experimental auctions with 101 Dutch university students, manipulating the positioning strategy and a certified animal welfare label and measuring participants’ willingness to pay (WTP) for a lunch meal with chicken meat. Results indicate that all manipulations significantly increase consumer WTP, with higher WTP for certified labels than for the positioning strategy, and the highest WTP for the combination of both elements (without providing evidence for an interaction effect). This implies that companies should combine positioning strategies that emphasize personally relevant benefits with certified labels. Since the effectiveness of such strategies may be limited for consumers with conflicting feelings towards meat, some care should be taken when designing awareness campaigns about the effects of meat consumption.

van Riemsdijk, L., Ingenbleek, P. T. M., van Trijp, H. C. M., & van der Veen, G. (2023). Can marketing increase willingness to pay for welfare-enhanced chicken meat? Evidence from experimental auctions. Animals : An Open Access Journal from MDPI, 13(21). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13213367

Abstract:

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the major challenges faced by society, with the real threat of the failure of many medical procedures. Antibiotics are also used in livestock production and provide a potential pathway to increasing AMR. The central challenge involves ensuring animal health and welfare while securing the long-term effectiveness of antibiotics. This paper reports the results of a survey of 5693 respondents from the customer panels of four major UK supermarkets regarding preferences and attitudes towards antibiotic use in food animals, and their perspectives on how the balance between animal welfare and human benefit can be achieved. The results of these surveys are consistent with those from other countries that found that consumers generally have limited knowledge about antibiotic use in agriculture and AMR, with around 50% responding “don’t know” to many questions. There was agreement about the benefits of antibiotics outweighing harm, with 40% agreeing that, overall, the use of antibiotics to treat disease in farm animals delivers more benefit than harm. However, 44% neither agreed nor disagreed, indicating a high level of uncertainty and a situation that is potentially unstable. The seriousness of the AMR challenge is such that continued action for the more discriminating use of antibiotics must continue.

Adam, K. E., & Bruce, A. (2023). Consumer preferences and attitudes towards antibiotic use in food animals. Antibiotics, 12(10), 1545. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12101545 

Abstract:

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to provide information on how citizens in nine countries across Europe perceive egg product quality and the importance of a product's sustainability attributes (animal welfare, country of origin and production method) in egg purchases.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were gathered in 2021 via an online survey in nine European countries (Finland, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Denmark). A total of 3,601 responses were collected. As methods of analysis, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), independent samples t-test, paired samples t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were conducted when investigating the quality dimensions of egg products and the differences amongst the sociodemographic groups.

Findings

Citizens in European countries considered animal welfare aspects, production method and country of origin important when purchasing egg products. Citizens' perceived quality of egg products was related to two dimensions (i.e. product properties and responsible production), and there were differences in perceptions by sociodemographic groups (i.e. age, gender, education and country of residence). Responsible production was most valued by younger women with higher education. Also in the Netherlands and Romania, citizens had stronger preferences for product properties compared to responsible production, whilst in Germany, responsible production was appreciated more than product properties.

Originality/value

The study provides new information on citizens' perceived egg product quality and the role of a product's sustainability attributes in egg purchases. Furthermore, the results bring novel insights on the differences in perceptions amongst citizens living in nine European countries.

Harju, C., Lähtinen, K., Heinola, K., Väre, M., Bonnefous, C., Collin, A., Cozma, V., Kliphuis, S., Parrott, P. A., Rodenburg, T. B., Spinu, M., & Niemi, J. (2023). Consumers’ views on egg quality and preferences for responsible production: Results from nine European countries. British Food Journal. https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-03-2023-0183 

Abstract:

The only common European Union (EU) legislation set up specifically to ensure the welfare of dairy cattle is for calves. As a consequence, there is wide diversity in how dairy cattle welfare is ensured in EU countries. A few countries have legal requirements for dairy cattle welfare, while in others, it is left to industry standards or niche production requirements, typically linked to various premium labels. In this paper, we compared animal welfare provisions in dairy cattle production across five countries with different combinations of legislative and other approaches: Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Firstly, we aimed to map the diversity of animal welfare initiatives. Secondly, we used the Benchmark method of expert valuations and weightings of the relative importance of individual welfare provisions. We found that Denmark and Sweden have the highest level of dairy cattle welfare provisions as measured by the Benchmark method, partly due to high legislative welfare requirements, followed by the United Kingdom, which has an extensive industry standard with very high uptake. Germany and the Netherlands, on the other hand, have lower levels of documented welfare provisions, and correspondingly a Benchmark score closer to a baseline defined by legal requirements at EU level. We also found differences in what elements of animal welfare were focussed on. Some initiatives emphasised fulfilling the social needs of cattle, while others focused more on space and freedom to move. Also, the countries with the highest Benchmark score had a relatively high level of production of organic and other specialty dairy products. We found the effect of national legislation or ambitious industry standards on dairy cattle welfare to be much larger than previous studies have found in either pigs or poultry. At a time when the EU is considering stepping up its efforts to improve animal welfare in terms of common minimum standards, the results of this study could have important policy implications. The diversity in the level of dairy cattle welfare standards found across countries may speak in favour of having shared minimum standards, both at EU level and globally. However, even among countries with a similar Benchmark score, we found a difference in the kinds of welfare provisions at work, which may make full harmonisation of standards more challenging.

Sandøe, P, Hansen, H. O., Bokkers, E. A. M., Enemark, P. S., Forkman, B., Haskell, M. J., Hedman, F. L., Houe, H., Mandel, R., Nielsen, S. S., de Olde, E. M., Palmer, C., Vogeler, C. S., & Christensen, T. (2023). Dairy cattle welfare: The relative effect of legislation, industry standards and labelled niche production in five European countries. Animal : An International Journal of Animal Bioscience, 17(12), 101009. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2023.101009

Abstract:

The only common European Union (EU) legislation set up specifically to ensure the welfare of dairy cattle is for calves. As a consequence, there is wide diversity in how dairy cattle welfare is ensured in EU countries. A few countries have legal requirements for dairy cattle welfare, while in others, it is left to industry standards or niche production requirements, typically linked to various premium labels. In this paper, we compared animal welfare provisions in dairy cattle production across five countries with different combinations of legislative and other approaches: Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Firstly, we aimed to map the diversity of animal welfare initiatives. Secondly, we used the Benchmark method of expert valuations and weightings of the relative importance of individual welfare provisions. We found that Denmark and Sweden have the highest level of dairy cattle welfare provisions as measured by the Benchmark method, partly due to high legislative welfare requirements, followed by the United Kingdom, which has an extensive industry standard with very high uptake. Germany and the Netherlands, on the other hand, have lower levels of documented welfare provisions, and correspondingly a Benchmark score closer to a baseline defined by legal requirements at EU level. We also found differences in what elements of animal welfare were focussed on. Some initiatives emphasised fulfilling the social needs of cattle, while others focused more on space and freedom to move. Also, the countries with the highest Benchmark score had a relatively high level of production of organic and other specialty dairy products. We found the effect of national legislation or ambitious industry standards on dairy cattle welfare to be much larger than previous studies have found in either pigs or poultry. At a time when the EU is considering stepping up its efforts to improve animal welfare in terms of common minimum standards, the results of this study could have important policy implications. The diversity in the level of dairy cattle welfare standards found across countries may speak in favour of having shared minimum standards, both at EU level and globally. However, even among countries with a similar Benchmark score, we found a difference in the kinds of welfare provisions at work, which may make full harmonisation of standards more challenging.

Sandøe, P, Hansen, H. O., Bokkers, E. A. M., Enemark, P. S., Forkman, B., Haskell, M. J., Hedman, F. L., Houe, H., Mandel, R., Nielsen, S. S., de Olde, E. M., Palmer, C., Vogeler, C. S., & Christensen, T. (2023). Dairy cattle welfare: The relative effect of legislation, industry standards and labelled niche production in five European countries. Animal : An International Journal of Animal Bioscience, 17(12), 101009. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2023.101009

Abstract:

Historically, animals growing well were believed to be in a positive welfare state. Evidence shows that pigs will seek out enrichment using play and complex puzzle-solving, which is beyond the physical needs required for positive growth. Physiological and psychological indicators of welfare can now be used to address positive affect in swine. Further, early research may show that those animals living with enrichment may be less likely to fall ill and are better prepared to handle sudden life changes (such as transport). However, measuring animal pleasure successfully is difficult. Understanding ways to measure animal welfare using behavior and physiology can provide insight into validating positive affective states beyond historically used measurements such as average daily gain, reproductive performance, or cortisol. As opportunities to implement these measures grow in the future, understanding the appropriate use for each will be critical.

Anderson, N. C. (2023). Deep dive into animal welfare measurements in swine and their implications. Journal of Animal Science, 101(Supplement_2), 10–11. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skad341.011

Abstract:

Climate projections estimate an increase in global temperature and a higher occurrence of extreme climate events in the near future, which may impact pig husbandry on a global scale. The resilience of pig production systems has a limit over which adaptation will not be possible. This will affect the welfare of pigs but also the productive capacity of pig farming, especially in those systems with less technological and financial capacity to react to climate change. This chapter recognises the main risks associated with climate change, including heat stress, exposure to extreme climate events, and the appearance of new diseases. Heat stress is the most obvious consequence. However, research and innovation has revealed strategies capable of reducing its negative consequences, including building insulation, ventilation, breeding for resilience, and nutritional strategies. Extreme climate events (e.g. droughts, fires, floods, hurricanes, etc.) can also impose significant risks for pig welfare. This risk has been scarcely investigated, but existent research agrees that collaboration between veterinarians and governmental bodies is crucial to design and implement effective evacuation protocols. The arrival of new diseases may also be a consequence of climate change, mediated by parasitic, microbial, and viral pathogens. Strategies to overcome the appearance of new diseases should focus on anticipating their arrival so the relevant preventative strategies can be implemented. Climate change brings a number of threats to pig farming, especially for animal welfare. However, innovative solutions may help to offset its negative effects and research should focus on helping to predict these risks and find the most cost-effective mitigating strategies.

Llonch, P., Guevara, R. D., & Camerlink, I. (2024). Effects of climate change on pig welfare. In Advances in pig welfare (pp. 557–576). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-85676-8.00024-9

Abstract:

Farm animal welfare research conducted in China is not commonly accessed or known outside of China, which may lead to the assumption that farm animal welfare receives relatively little attention in China. Therefore, a bibliometric analysis was conducted on the existing Chinese farm animal welfare literature to provide robust evidence to refute this assumption. A total of 1312 peer-reviewed Chinese studies on farm animal welfare published between March 1992 and June 2023 were retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS) and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database. CiteSpace software was used to analyze and visualize the number, species, authors, institutions, journals, and keywords of the papers. In China, farm animal welfare research has gone through the processes of an early stage (1992–2001), rapid-growth stage (2002–2007), and mature stage (2008–present), and the scale of research continues to grow. Notably, swine and chickens have received priority attention in this area. A Matthew effect was observed for authors and institutions, with relatively little collaboration among authors and institutions. Most of the papers were published in a small number of journals, with an apparent agglomeration characteristic. The research hotspots, summarized as “feed and diet”, “environmental impacts and control”, “integrated rearing management”, “injury and disease”, “behavior and technologies for behavior monitoring”, “genetic analysis”, “welfare during transport and slaughter”, “welfare-friendly animal product consumption”, “attitudes toward farm animal welfare”, and “healthy breeding”. The keywords “computer vision”, “recognition”, “temperature”, “precision livestock farming”, “laying hen”, and “behavior”, represent the major research frontiers in the field, which could indicate potential areas of significant future research. The findings of the present bibliometric analysis confirm the fact that farm animal welfare is a field of interest in China. Farm animal welfare research in China tends to be pragmatic, with a strong emphasis on enhancing growth and production performance, as well as product quality, rather than solely concentrating on improving farm animal welfare. This paper provides insightful references that researchers can use to identify and understand the current status and future direction of the farm animal welfare field in China.

Cui, L., Tang, W., Deng, X., & Jiang, B. (2023). Farm animal welfare is a field of interest in China: A bibliometric analysis based on citespace. Animals : An Open Access Journal from MDPI, 13(19). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13193143 

Abstract:

Orthoptera (crickets and grasshoppers) is currently the most reared group of hemimetabolous insects in the insects as food and feed industry, with over 370 billion individuals slaughtered and/or sold live annually. The most-farmed cricket species is Acheta domesticus, however there is growing interest in farming at least two additional species, Gryllus assimilis and Gryllodes sigillatus. Crickets are largely being explored for use as human protein, and exotic animal or pet feed - as well as, to a lesser extent, livestock and fish feed. Insect welfare is of great interest to consumers who are considering incorporating insect protein into their diets, as well as to many producers. However, no studies have considered the welfare concerns of farmed crickets under current industry conditions. Using an established model for assessing farmed insect welfare, we assess potential welfare concerns for the three most-farmed cricket species, including: interspecific interactions (including parasites and pathogens), abiotic conditions, nutrition and hydration, environmental pollutants, injury and crowding, density, handling-associated stress, genetics and selection, enrichments, transport-related challenges, and stunning, anesthesia, and slaughter methods. From our assessment of these factors, we make recommendations for improving cricket welfare now and as the industry continues to grow; in addition, we identify research directions that will improve our understanding of cricket welfare. We conclude by broadly discussing the importance of addressing the welfare challenges presented by the insects as food and feed industry.

Rowe, E., Robles López, K. Y., Robinson, K. M., Baudier, K. M., & Barrett, M. (2023). Farmed cricket (Acheta domesticus, Gryllus assimilis, and Gryllodes sigillatus; Orthoptera) welfare considerations: Recommendations for improving global practice. OSF Preprints. https://osf.io/preprints/c4qp3/ 

Abstract:

Farmers are key stakeholders to ensure the welfare of the animals under their care, which can be expressed in the day-to-day routine or framed by the choice of production system and related management practices. Pig farmers, in general, consider animal welfare important for ethical or production-related reasons. However, the meaning of animal welfare varies with farmers’ cultural and personal characteristics, and the technical, production, and market realities in which they operate. This is associated with farmers’ attitudes to husbandry practices and their motivation and willingness to engage in initiatives aimed at improving pig welfare. More work is needed to contextualise farmers’ experiences, knowledge, and attitudes to pig welfare in regions where farm animal welfare is an emerging issue, or where novel technologies that may impact pig farming are to be implemented.

Hötzel, M. J., Albernaz-Gonçalves, R., & Olmos, G. (2024). Farmer attitudes towards pig welfare. In Advances in pig welfare (pp. 577–591). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-85676-8.00013-4

Abstract:

Each month, our Faunalytics Index provides a round-up of data, statistics, and facts gleaned from the most recent research we’ve covered in our library. Our aim is to give you a quick overview of some of the most eye-catching and informative bits of data that could help you be more effective in your advocacy for animals. If you want to know more about any given statistic, follow the links below, read the source articles, and dive deeper into the issues.

Faunalytics Index October 2023 (2023). Retrieved October 10, 2023, from https://faunalytics.org/faunalytics-index-october-2023/

Abstract:

Legislation can be a major driving force to improve pig welfare. This chapter reviews the legislation on pig welfare in the top pig-producing countries in Asia (China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Japan), America (the United States, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico), and the European Union (EU). There are very large differences across countries in both Asia and America. In Asia, driving forces to develop animal welfare legislations or standards come from the society awareness (like the Philippines) or global pork trading (like China). In American countries, one of the main issues addressed by legislation is the use of gestation crates. In general, pigs are given less legal protection than companion animals and wildlife. EU legislation on pig welfare has driven major changes in pig production in Europe and in some non-European countries that want to comply with trade requirements set by the EU. Labelling schemes can also have a significant impact on pig welfare. However, most certification schemes in both Asia and Europe mainly include resource-based measures. WOAH standards are particularly relevant in countries with little or no legislation on pig welfare.

Guevara, R. D., Ko, H.-L., Stuardo, L., & Manteca, X. (2024). Global developments in pig welfare: From legislation to market-driven change. In Advances in pig welfare (pp. 517–535). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-85676-8.00005-5 

Abstract:

This chapter describes the development and nature of public and consumer concerns about pig welfare and the various initiatives by which people try to improve pig welfare. First, the origins of the modern idea of animal welfare are traced. The chapter then looks at the use of national and international law to raise farm animal welfare standards. After this, various market-driven initiatives to move welfare above the legally required minimum are described. Using the so-called ‘Benchmark method’ the relative importance of legislation and market-driven initiatives for enhancing animal welfare is assessed. Finally, the ways in which consumers in different parts of the world perceive pig welfare and how much they are willing to pay for it are then reviewed.

Sandøe, Peter, & Christensen, T. (2024). How much do people care about pig welfare, and how much will they pay for it? In Advances in pig welfare (pp. 497–515). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-85676-8.00006-7 

Abstract:

Live poultry markets (LPMs) are veterinary and public health risks because of potential for zoonotic spillover of pathogens from diseased animals to humans. To control these health risks, veterinary and public health authorities in Asia, including China, have closed or restricted LPMs. In south China, however, LPM closure has been opposed or rendered infeasible by consumers who prefer to purchase live poultry. Previous scholarship has suggested this preference is due to cultural values of freshness. In this study, we present results from detailed interviews with shoppers in south China, including those who prefer live poultry and those who prefer pre-slaughtered poultry. We argue that broader concerns about food safety and quality, rather than freshness alone, drive the demand for LPMs. Live poultry provide sensory information that enable shoppers to evaluate safety and quality in ways that are not possible with pre-slaughtered, refrigerated meat. Based on these findings, we suggest that hygienic interventions into LPMs should recognize that not only freshness, but also trust, must be constructed and maintained in any intervention.

Fearnley, L., & Zheng, Z. (2023). Live poultry markets beyond health risks: Understanding consumer preferences for live poultry in South China. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 221, 106060. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2023.106060

Abstract:

The agricultural professionals are ethically obligated to provide good care for the animals under their care. We analysed Brazilian agricultural science students’ profiles based on their perceptions of animal welfare (AW). The survey included 239 students from agronomy, animal science, and veterinary courses in 44 universities. A factor analysis and a cluster analysis identified four students’ profiles. “The farm animal stewards” group (n= 79) focused their perceptions of AW on basic health and functioning as a basis for meat, wool, egg, and dairy production, while the “the industrial view” group (n= 15), in the profitability and economic factors. “The animal rights position” (n= 76), in the face of conflicting interests (animals vs. owners), perceive that the animal’s interest should prevail and give an equal treatment for all species. ”The balanced” group (n= 69) incorporates concepts from animal and human to explain their perceptions. The students’ perception of AW is multifaceted and influenced by value-based ideas about what is important or desirable for animals and all stakeholders. Scientific fields focusing on AW need to be emphasized within agricultural science curriculum.

Andrighetto Canozzi, M. E., Cardoso, S., Foguesatto, C. R., & Rossi Borges, J. A. (2023). Perception of Brazilian agricultural sciences students on animal welfare: A profile-based approach. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science : JAAWS, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888705.2023.2268505 

Abstract:

Animal welfare denotes how an animal experiences their life. It represents the overall mental experiences of an animal and is a subjective concept that cannot be directly measured. Instead, welfare indicators are used to cautiously infer mental experiences from resource provisions, management factors, and animal-based measures. The Five Domains Model is a holistic and structured framework for collating these indicators and assessing animal welfare. Contemporary approaches to animal welfare management consider how animals can be given opportunities to have positive experiences. However, the uncertainty surrounding positive mental experiences that can be inferred has resulted in risk-averse animal welfare scientists returning to the relative safety of positivism. This has meant that aspects of positive welfare are often referred to as animal ‘wants’. Agency is a concept that straddles the positivist-affective divide and represents a way forward for discussions about positive welfare. Agency is the capacity of individual animals to engage in voluntary, self-generated, and goal-directed behavior that they are motivated to perform. Discrete positive emotions are cautiously inferred from these agentic experiences based on available knowledge about the animal’s motivation for engaging in the behavior. Competence-building agency can be used to evaluate the potential for positive welfare and is represented by the Behavioral Interactions domain of the Five Domains Model. In 2020, The Model was updated to, amongst other things, include consideration of human-animal interactions. The most important aspect of this update was the renaming of Domain 4 from “Behavior” to “Behavioral Interactions” and the additional detail added to allow this domain’s purpose to be clearly understood to represent an animal’s opportunities to exercise agency. We illustrate how the Behavioral Interactions domain of The Model can be used to assess animals’ competence-building agency and positive welfare. In this article, we use the examples of sugar gliders housed in captivity and greyhounds that race to illustrate how the agentic qualities of choice, control, and challenge can be used to assess opportunities for animals to exercise agency and experience positive affective engagement.

Littlewood, K. E., Heslop, M. V., & Cobb, M. L. (2023). The agency domain and behavioural interactions: Assessing positive animal welfare using the five domains model. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2023.1284869/full 

Abstract:

Intensive animal farming faces rising societal concerns about animal welfare standards. This article presents findings of a study that aimed to understand the attitudes of a representative sample of U.S. residents (N = 1,000) regarding the welfare of chickens raised for meat.

The study had two objectives. First, the representative survey data was examined to determine whether Americans supported improved welfare conditions for chickens raised for meat. The vast majority of respondents (81%) supported improving conditions in line with the Better Chicken Commitment, a set of standards for food companies and restaurants. On average, respondents were willing to pay 28.7% more for chicken meat that met its conditions. Additionally, 88% of respondents favored the idea of food companies providing a Better Chicken Commitment label on their products.

Second, the study examined how beliefs about animal cognition related to moral consideration and consumer attitudes in the context of chicken farming. Findings reveal that those who attributed a higher level of cognitive abilities to chickens were more likely to support the Better Chicken Commitment and willing to pay more for meat from companies that met its standards. Conversely, attributing lower levels of cognitive abilities to chickens was associated with a commitment to meat consumption, reduced willingness to pay more, and less support for welfare standards. The study’s findings contribute to research on motivated reasoning in meat consumption and the objectification of animals.

Trenkenschuh, M. (2023). U.S. chicken welfare. OSF Preprints. https://osf.io/preprints/psyarxiv/rfn83/

Abstract:

Cage-free systems are known to increase activity and behavioural pattern for laying hens, but effects on overall welfare are controversial depending on several factors. Our study aimed to evaluate welfare of 1,800 laying hens of two genotypes (Hyline Brown vs. Lhomann White) housed in an aviary in 8 pens, enriched or not with additional perches. Live weight, percentage of keel bone and foot lesions, and plumage damage and cleanliness were assessed six times from 25 to 39 weeks of age on a sample of 400 hens (50/pen). No differences between hens were observed until 32 weeks. Then, at 39 weeks, the occurrence of keel bone lesions was higher and that of foot lesions lower in Brown compared to White hens (P<0.01). At all recordings, plumage cleanliness was better in Brown than in White hens (P<0.001), whereas the plumage damage was low (1% of hens) and not different among experimental groups. At 39 weeks, the occurrence of foot lesions was higher in pens enriched with additional perches than not enriched pens (P<0.05). In conclusion, lesions associated with welfare concerns appeared when the age of hens increased, and differed between genotypes, whereas the enrichment with additional perches played a minor role.

Ciarelli, C., Bordignon, F., Xiccato, G., & Trocino, A. (2023, October 20). Welfare of laying hens in a cage free system: Effect of genotype and enrichment on animal based measures. 31st International Symposium Animal Science Days. https://www.research.unipd.it/handle/11577/3497076 

Abstract:

Ozone is often used to disinfect process water in recirculating aquaculture systems. Here, ozone rapidly leads to the formation of secondary oxidants, called ozone produced oxidants (OPO). We studied the impact of OPO on juvenile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus in brackish water at 0, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.15 mg/L chlorine equivalents after 2 d, 9 d and 21 d of exposure, assessing gill histopathology and lesions of the mitochondrial DNA. Damage of the gills was already observed after 2 d, comprising an increased occurrence of lamellar lifting, fusion of the lamellae and edema at 0.15 mg/L. After 21 d, occurrence of lamellar fusion and edema was elevated at 0.15 mg/L. Increased incidence of hyperplasia was already observed at 0.05 mg/L after 9 d. DNA fragmentation increased to 3.92 lesions per 10 kb at 0.15 mg/L compared to 2.62 lesions per 10 kb in the control. In conclusion, first adverse effects were observed at 0.05 mg/L and severe impact is subsequently recorded at 0.1 mg/L chlorine equivalents. Therefore, OPO concentrations need to be kept below 0.05 mg/L chlorine equivalents to avoid adverse effects on animal welfare.

Wuertz, S., Schulz, C., Klatt, S., Kleiner, W., & Schroeder, J. P. (2023). Adverse effects of ozonation on the animal welfare of tilapia Oreochromis niloticus in recirculation aquaculture. Aquaculture Reports, 32, 101737. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aqrep.2023.101737

Abstract:

Invertebrates are a diverse group of animals that make up the majority of the animal kingdom and encompass a wide array of species with varying adaptations and characteristics. Invertebrates are found in nearly all of the world’s habitats, including aquatic, marine, and terrestrial environments. There are many misconceptions about invertebrate sentience, welfare requirements, the need for environmental enrichment, and overall care and husbandry for this amazing group of animals. This review addresses these topics and more for a select group of invertebrates with biomedical, economical, display, and human companionship importance.

Lewbart, G. A., & Zachariah, T. T. (2023). Aquatic and terrestrial invertebrate welfare. Animals : An Open Access Journal from MDPI, 13(21). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13213375

Abstract:

n/a

Quintiliano, M. H., Maia, C. M., Pedrazzani, A. S., Molento, C. F. M., & Saraiva, J. L. (2023). Aquatic animal welfare as a driver for the improvement of food production systems. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2023.1297306/full 

Abstract:

Environmental Enrichment (EE) serves as a cornerstone in the attempt to emulate natural habitats for captive organisms. While substantial strides have been made in this field, current methodologies still grapple with discrepancies between recreated habitats and the innate conditions vital for maintaining biological homeostasis in captive species. Our study highlights the pivotal role of behavioral thermoregulation in modulating molecular and physiological outcomes in captive fish. Collective evidence suggests that enabling fish to autonomously regulate temperature confers numerous beneficial cellular and systemic effects. Specifically, introducing a thermal gradient within the EE paradigm correlated with increased survival metrics, enhanced physiological parameters, and improved welfare indices, establishing the criticality of thermoregulation in captivity. In contrast, the lack of a thermoregulatory framework resulted in the emergence of transient free radicals, a clear marker of temperature-induced oxidative stress. Persistent disruptions in free radical equilibrium, especially in uniform temperature settings, were linked to DNA damage, heightened cellular apoptosis, tissue anomalies, and metabolic deviations. In conclusion, this research underscores the significance of behavioral thermoregulation as an integral feature of EE, especially related to fish in controlled environments. Our data present key biomarkers valuable for optimizing fish welfare and highlight the necessity for sustained research into their adaptability and survival benchmarks. Such insights aim to enhance EE protocols, fortifying their efficacy in mirroring natural habitats and, in turn, advancing the welfare benchmarks of captive organisms.

Sanhueza, N., Fuentes, R., Aguilar, A., Carnicero, B., Mattos, H., Rubalcaba, Y., Melin, V., Contreras, D., & Boltana, S. (2023). Behavioral thermoregulation in captive fish: Molecular, physiological, and welfare implications. BioRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2023.10.10.561692 

Abstract:

This paper explores the ethical considerations surrounding research on echinoderms, a group of invertebrates that has recently garnered attention in the scientific community. The importance of responsible animal handling and the need for an ethical framework that encompasses echinoderms are emphasized. The 3Rs principle, advocating for the replacement of conscious living vertebrates with non-sentient material in research, is discussed as a guiding tool in current animal research practices. As invertebrates are generally classified as non-sentient animals, the replacement dimension tends to favor them as prevalent models in experimental research. While it currently lacks the means to assess the mental states of invertebrates, there is undeniable evidence of social behavior in many species, suggesting that a lack of interactions with these organisms could potentially adversely affect their wellbeing. In the last few years, considerable progress has been made in developing an ethical framework that takes invertebrates into account, particularly cephalopods, crustaceans, and echinoderms. In this context, we discuss the development of a broader conceptual framework of 5Rs that includes responsibility and respect, which may guide practices ensuring welfare in echinoderms, even in the absence of any particular normative. 

Crespi-Abril, A. C., & Rubilar, T. (2023). Ethical considerations for echinoderms: New initiatives in welfare. Animals : An Open Access Journal from MDPI, 13(21). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13213377 

Abstract:

Invertebrates are a diverse group of animals that make up the majority of the animal kingdom and encompass a wide array of species with varying adaptations and characteristics. Invertebrates are found in nearly all of the world’s habitats, including aquatic, marine, and terrestrial environments. There are many misconceptions about invertebrate sentience, welfare requirements, the need for environmental enrichment, and overall care and husbandry for this amazing group of animals. This review addresses these topics and more for a select group of invertebrates with biomedical, economical, display, and human companionship importance.

Marques Maia, C. (2023). Individuality really matters for fish welfare. The Veterinary Quarterly, 43(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1080/01652176.2023.2270653 

Abstract:

n/a

Marques Maia, C. (2023). Individuality really matters for fish welfare. The Veterinary Quarterly, 43(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1080/01652176.2023.2270653 

Abstract:

n/a

Marques Maia, C. (2023). Individuality really matters for fish welfare. The Veterinary Quarterly, 43(1), 1–5. https://doi.org/10.1080/01652176.2023.2270653 

Abstract:

Fish farming is the fastest growing food production sector worldwide and now accounts for most human fish consumption. Expansion of finfish aquaculture to exposed offshore marine environments is appealing where additional sheltered areas are unavailable. While more energetic environments may reduce waste accumulation and parasite exposure, effects on fish health and wellbeing are largely speculative. The multiple stressors faced by fish on offshore farms may interact synergistically and increase their cumulative impact. We used 20 months of health and welfare data from eight Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) sea pen farms in Scotland along a wave exposure gradient to assess the effects of, and interactions between, environmental variables and management treatments on fish mortality and parasite loads. While farms showed high variability in mortality rate and sea lice infections, multi-level Bayesian modelling indicated that wave exposure primarily modulated effects of other variables. Higher exposure farms showed steeper increases in mortality with time and with extreme temperatures. Similarly, sea lice infections tended to increase with time, with higher exposure farms seeing steeper increases at higher Amoebic Gill Disease (AGD) scores and at high temperatures. The effect of AGD was greater at slow water speeds. Treatments against parasites were more frequent at low exposure farms, leading to uncertainty in their impact on welfare across farms. The support for interactive effects of wave exposure with other variables rather than strong direct effects suggests an accumulation of chronic and acute stressors. Expansion of aquaculture to more energetic offshore environments may have negative impacts on fish health in some circumstances, requiring adaptation of practices. In particular, the stronger increase in mortality over time may have implications for cycle length in different environments, and the more dramatic impacts of the warmest temperatures at high exposure farms call for consideration of the change in water temperature both inshore and offshore.

Szewczyk, T. M., Morro, B., Díaz-Gil, C., Gillibrand, P. A., Hardwick, J. P., Davidson, K., Aleynik, D., & Rey Planellas, S. (2024). Interactive effects of multiple stressors with significant wave height exposure on farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) welfare along an inshore-offshore gradient. Aquaculture, 579, 740184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2023.740184 

Abstract:

Decapod crustacean welfare is not only an ethical consideration for legislative purposes. Under culture and fishery settings, poor environmental conditions and operator practices can cause stress, which compromises the immune system and increases the risk of disease. For finfish, there are established environmental and animal (group, individual) welfare indicators. This is not the case for crabs, lobsters or shrimp. While environment-based indicators like temperature, pH and oxygen levels are easily transferable, there is no consensus for a common measure of stress to monitor welfare in decapod crustaceans. To address this shortcoming, we conducted a meta-analysis of the primary literature to test for relationships between haemolymph (blood) condition, for example, levels of glucose, L-lactate, haemocytes (n = 8), and sources of physical stress, for example, handling, trawling, emersion and transport (n = 12). Despite variations in effect sizes (n = 459), generalised linear mixed models repeatedly ranked L-lactate (followed by urea and glucose) as the most significant physiological predictor of stress in the haemolymph, with trawling followed closely by emersion as the most impactful stressors. Duration post (stress) exposure, sex (male, female), water temperature and moult stage (pre-, inter-, post-moult) were not associated significantly with stress prediction using the selected biochemical and cellular parameters, however, moult status was undefined in ~48% of literature sources and should be interpreted with caution. We present evidence that quantitating L-lactate levels in the haemolymph represents a physiologic operational welfare indicator of decapod crustaceans, which complements existing condition/vigour indices.

Conneely, E., & Coates, C. J. (2023). Meta‐analytic assessment of physiological markers for decapod crustacean welfare. Fish and Fisheries. https://doi.org/10.1111/faf.12798 

Abstract:

Aquaculture plays a crucial role in meeting the growing global demand for seafood, but it faces challenges in terms of fish growth and health monitoring. The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques offers promising solutions for optimizing fish farming practices and ensuring sustainable aquaculture. This abstract provides an overview of the role of AI in fish growth and health status monitoring, emphasizing its significance in promoting a sustainable aquaculture industry. AI technologies, such as machine learning and computer vision, have shown immense potential in analyzing large volumes of data collected from fish farms. By leveraging AI algorithms, fish farmers can gain valuable insights into fish growth patterns, feeding behavior, and environmental factors affecting fish health. These algorithms can detect and predict anomalies, diseases, and stress indicators, enabling proactive interventions to mitigate health issues and reduce losses. One of the key applications of AI in aquaculture is the development of smart monitoring systems. These systems employ various sensors, cameras, and data analytics tools to continuously collect real-time data on water quality, temperature, oxygen levels, and fish behavior. AI algorithms analyze this data to identify deviations from optimal conditions and provide timely alerts to farmers, allowing them to take appropriate actions such as adjusting feeding schedules, modifying water parameters, or administering treatments as needed. Furthermore, AI-based models can assist in optimizing feed management and reducing wastage. By analyzing historical data on fish growth and feed consumption, machine learning algorithms can determine the most efficient feed formulation and feeding regimes, leading to improved growth rates and minimized environmental impact. Another significant aspect of AI in fish farming is disease detection and prevention. Through image analysis and pattern recognition, AI algorithms can identify early signs of diseases, parasites, or abnormalities in fish appearance and behavior. This enables prompt disease diagnosis and targeted treatment, reducing the need for excessive use of antibiotics and chemicals while improving fish welfare. In summary, the integration of AI techniques in fish growth and health status monitoring holds great promise for the sustainability of aquaculture. By leveraging AI's capabilities in data analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modeling, fish farmers can optimize their practices, enhance productivity, reduce environmental impact, and ensure the welfare of farmed fish. However, continued research, data sharing, and collaboration between scientists, industry stakeholders, and policymakers are essential for harnessing the full potential of AI in achieving a sustainable aquaculture industry.

Mandal, A., & Ghosh, A. R. (2023). Role of artificial intelligence (AI) in fish growth and health status monitoring: A review on sustainable aquaculture. Aquaculture International. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-023-01297-z

Abstract:

The biofloc technology system (BFT) is considered to be one of the sustainable aquaculture systems, which is based on the principle of nutrient recycling with the addition of a carbon source to give dominance to heterotrophic microorganisms. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of sugar cane molasses and tapioca flour as carbon sources on the water quality, growth, hematology, immune status, and non-specific antioxidant status of Oreochromis juveniles. Methodologically, the experiment was carried out for 10 weeks on 225 juvenile Nile tilapia with initial body weights of 47.0 ± 1.3 g that were randomly distributed in 09 tanks (1000 L) with a stocking density of 25 tilapias per tank; the treatments were: BFT + SM (S molasses), BFT + TF tapioca flour (TF), and a control with no carbon source added. The control group was fed 100% feed, while the BFT experimental groups were fed microbial flocs along with 75% feed. The results revealed that the water quality parameters were affected by the carbon sources, but were adequate for normal fish welfare, and the biofloc volume was higher (28.94) with the TF carbon source. The growth performance, such as weight gain (98.61), survival (99.01), and improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) (1.69), was recorded in BFT + TF. Significant improvements in WBCs, HCT, HB, lymphocytes, plasma proteins, albumin, and non-specific immune factors (lysozyme activity, immunoglobulins levels, and ACH50) were observed in biofloc-reared fish with tapioca flour as the carbon source compared to the control and sugarcane molasses groups. Moreover, significant increases in catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were found in the biofloc-reared fish with different carbon sources. In conclusion, the use of BFT + TF was found to affect improving the water quality, growth, hematology, immunity, and antioxidant status of juvenile Tilapia.

Rind, K. H., Habib, S. S., Ujan, J. A., Fazio, F., Naz, S., Batool, A. I., Ullah, M., Attaullah, S., Khayyam, K., & Khan, K. (2023). The effects of different carbon sources on water quality, growth performance, hematology, immune, and antioxidant status in cultured Nile Tilapia with biofloc technology. Fishes, 8(10), 512. https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes8100512

Abstract:

The study combined the use of biometric, behavioral, physiological and external tissue damage scoring systems to better understand how high stocking densities drive schooling behavior and other adaptive features during the finishing growing phase of farmed gilthead sea bream in the Western Mediterranean. Fish were grown at three different final stocking densities (LD, 8.5 kg/m3; MD, 17 kg/m3; HD, 25 kg/m3). Water oxygen concentration varied between 5 and 6 ppm in LD fish to 3–4 ppm in HD fish with the summer rise of water temperature from 19°C to 26°C (May–July). HD fish showed a reduction of feed intake and growth rates, but they also showed a reinforced social cohesion with a well-defined endogenous swimming activity rhythm with feeding time as a main synchronization factor. The monitored decrease of the breathing/swimming activity ratio by means of the AEFishBIT data-logger also indicated a decreased energy partitioning for growth in the HD environment with a limited oxygen availability. Plasma glucose and cortisol levels increased with the rise of stocking density, and the close association of glycaemia with the expression level of antioxidant enzymes (mn-sod, gpx4, prdx5) in liver and molecular chaperones (grp170, grp75) in skeletal muscle highlighted the involvement of glucose in redox processes via rerouting in the pentose-phosphate-pathway. Other adaptive features included the depletion of oxidative metabolism that favored lipid storage rather than fatty acid oxidation to decrease the oxygen demand as last electron acceptor in the mitochondrial respiratory chain. This was coincident with the metabolic readjustment of the Gh/Igf endocrine-growth cascade that promoted the regulation of muscle growth at the local level rather than a systemic action via the liver Gh/Igf axis. Moreover, correlation analyses within HD fish displayed negative correlations of hepatic transcripts of igf1 and igf2 with the data-logger measurements of activity and respiration, whereas the opposite was found for muscle igf2, ghr1 and ghr2. This was indicative of a growth-regulatory transition that supported a proactive instead of a reactive behavior in HD fish, which was considered adaptive to preserve an active and synchronized feeding behavior with a minimized risk of oxidative stress and epidermal skin damage.

Holhorea, P. G., Naya-Català, F., Belenguer, Á., Calduch-Giner, J. A., & Pérez-Sánchez, J. (2023). Understanding how high stocking densities and concurrent limited oxygen availability drive social cohesion and adaptive features in regulatory growth, antioxidant defense and lipid metabolism in farmed gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata). Frontiers in Physiology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphys.2023.1272267

Abstract:

There is not much research on how actions that are good for the environment, sustainable and healthy eating behaviors and dietary patterns affect eco-anxiety, or vice versa. The goal of this study is to find out what predicts eco-anxiety or sustainable and healthy eating behaviors among university students. This study was done with 605 undergraduate students. They filled out scales including eco-anxiety, the Turkish version of sustainable and healthy eating behaviors, organic food consumption, and sustainable consumption behavior. Also, the EAT-Lancet Diet scores of the participants were calculated. Pearson correlational analysis was used in order to show the correlational coefficients between scales, and multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the predictors of both climate anxiety and sustainable and healthy eating behaviors. The mean scores of eco-anxiety, meat reduction, organic food consumption, the EAT-Lancet diet, environmental awareness, and reusability were higher among female participants. Eco-anxiety was associated with some types of pro-environmental behaviors. Lower behavioral symptoms related to eco-anxiety, greater organic food consumption, and environmental awareness were associated with higher sustainable and healthy eating behaviors. These findings suggest that eco-anxiety may be considered a motivating force for pro-environmental behaviors like environmental awareness, but behavioral symptoms related to eco-anxiety may have a negative effect on sustainable and healthy eating behaviors. In order to adopt more sustainable dietary patterns, governments should inform people about the impact of their dietary choices on the environment.

Kabasakal-Cetin, A. (2023). Association between eco-anxiety, sustainable eating and consumption behaviors and the EAT-Lancet diet score among university students. Food Quality and Preference, 111, 104972. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2023.104972

Abstract:

Livestock sector are the primary sources of non-CO2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, animal-based foods play a significant role in ensuring nutrition security and mitigating climate change. This study calculated the non-CO2 GHG emissions from livestock production (include poultry) and meat consumption (beef, pork, mutton and poultry), and simulated the trade pattern of meat by the Sino-TERM, to identify the transfer emissions from meat trade. The results showed that the non-CO2 GHG emissions from livestock production has maintained a steady decline at approximately 170 Mt CO2-eq in recent years and the non-CO2 GHG emissions from meat consumption has rapidly increased to 89.5 Mt CO2-eq. Interprovincial meat trade facilitated the transfer of 1275 Mt CO2-eq non-CO2 GHG, the characteristic of emissions in the central and the southwestern while consumption in the southeast was evident in the emissions transfer pattern. International meat trade resulted in 96 Mt CO2-eq non-CO2 GHG emissions export, with annual exports representing only 3 % to 9 % of production. Reducing food waste and ensuring equitable regional emission responsibilities is imperative for mitigating non-CO2 GHG emissions from the livestock sector.

Wang, W., Deng, X., & Wang, Y. (2023). Changes in Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Livestock Production, Meat Consumption and Trade in China. Sustainable Production and Consumption. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2023.09.021

Abstract:

Background

Reducing greenhouse gases emissions (GHGe) requires drastic changes in dietary patterns, notably reducing meat consumption. As the process of change can be experienced as stages, we might wonder what actual changes in diet-related GHGe result from each stage of meat reduction. We therefore aimed to describe levels of diet-related GHGe and their change over time according to the individual readiness to reduce meat consumption.

Methods

Food consumptions of 13,635 non-vegetarian French adults participating in the NutriNet-Santé Cohort were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire at two time points, in 2014 and 2018. Diet-related GHGe were assessed using life cycle assessment. A questionnaire in 2018 allowed us to characterize participants by their level of readiness to reduce meat consumption, using the stages of change from the transtheoretical model: precontemplation, contemplation/preparation, action, maintenance. Energy-adjusted diet-related GHGe were compared according to stages in 2014 and 2018 using ANCOVA and compared over time using Student test. Dietary intakes and their contribution to diet-related GHGe were also described.

Results

Individuals in the maintenance stage had the lowest diet-related GHGe, with an average of 3.73 kg CO2eq/day (SEM=0.02) in 2018, representing a difference of -26% compared to the precontemplation stage. Only participants in the action and the maintenance stages decreased their diet-related GHGe over time (both p < 0.0001). Specifically, GHGe from ruminant and monogastric meat (e.g. pork, chicken) decreased over time for the last two stages (all p < 0.0001), while their GHGe from cheese increased.

Conclusions

The last two stages of meat reduction resulted in a reduction of diet-related GHGe. As this reduction is not sufficient to meet GHGe reduction objectives, further efforts are needed and new levers, combined with public health guidelines must emerge to enhance the transition.

Key messages

• Individuals with higher readiness to reduce meat consumption actually reduce their overall GHGe, mostly due to reduced consumption of ruminant meat, but also pork and poultry.

• Observed reduction in diet-related GHGe is not yet sufficient to meet GHGe reduction objectives and further efforts are required.

Reuze, A., Baudry, J., Méjean, C., Brunin, J., Péneau, S., Touvier, M., Kesse-Guyot, E., & Allès, B. (2023). Diet-related greenhouse gases emissions according to individual readiness to reduce meat consumption. European Journal of Public Health, 33(Supplement_2). https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckad160.234

Abstract:

The consumption of meat and dairy products raise enormous environmental concerns. Circa 80% of global greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from the livestock industry originate from beef, milk and pork production. Changing the production and consumption of meat and dairy products is considered to offer an important contribution to achieving the Paris Agreement climate targets (UNFCCC, 2015), and could reduce the import of soybean meal to Europe from countries where it is linked with deforestation. However, individual diet substitutions may have indirect and unintended environmental consequences across interlinked livestock systems – hence a wider assessment of impacts of consumption changes is required using consequential life cycle assessment (LCA). In this study, we investigated the environmental consequences of two independent yet interconnected diet choices in a German context: (i) replacing dairy milk with soy milk, and; (ii) replacing beef meatballs with pea protein balls. We related commodity demand to detailed agricultural rotations and land use changes via farm scale economic modelling coupled with consequential LCA. The substitution of beef meatballs with pea-derived protein balls can result in GHG savings of 2.4 kg CO2e per 100 g serving, and up to 7.3 kg CO2e per 100 g serving if spared land is afforested. Environmental problems related to nutrient leakage such as acidification and eutrophication are also mitigated. Meanwhile, unless accompanied by dramatic reductions in beef consumption, the substitution of cow milk with soy-based milk does not lead to significant GHG mitigation owing to the displacement of dairy-beef production to less efficient suckler-beef systems. Nonetheless, land sparing by cow milk substitution could support overall GHG mitigation if combined with afforestation. This study confirms that legumes can play an important role in diet transitions towards climate neutrality, especially via substitution of meat (as opposed to dairy) products.

Porto Costa, M., Saget, S., Zimmermann, B., Petig, E., Angenendt, E., Rees, R. M., Chadwick, D., Gibbons, J., Shrestha, S., Williams, M., & Styles, D. (2023). Environmental and land use consequences of replacing milk and beef with plant-based alternatives. Journal of Cleaner Production, 424, 138826. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.138826

Abstract:

Background

High consumption of red meat is an important cause of burden of disease and environmental degradation globally. To motivate changes in food consumption and production, policymakers need evidence on the overall impact of such changes on the health of citizens, and on all aspects of sustainability: environment, socioeconomics, and culture.

Methods

Using three different approaches, we compared the impact of four scenarios of replacement of beef consumption with pulses (a well-established plant protein source) in two EU countries, Portugal and Denmark. First, health impacts were quantified in disability-adjusted life years (DALY); second, sustainability impact was measured using various social, economic and environmental indicators. Finally, we used MACBETH (Measuring Attractiveness by a Categorical Based Evaluation Technique), an interactive, iterative, multicriteria decision analysis approach, to create a quantitative value model.

Results

We estimated positive health impacts for all substitution scenarios in the two populations. Positive impacts were larger for Denmark and ranged from 5,9 DALYs (25% substitution of beef by pulses in Portugal) to 39,7 DALYs averted/100,000 people (100% substitution, Denmark). The two countries had positive economic impacts, but beef production was more resilient than pulses. Environmental and social impacts of beef production were consistently higher than pulses. The MCDA model included a set of 15 criteria within the four dimensions of analysis to assess the overall value of implementing each scenario.

Conclusions

Individually, each approach allowed us to compare health, sustainability and integrated impacts of different options for food substitutions relevant to the sustainability agenda. Together, they allowed us to create a platform for discussing the co-benefits of dietary changes in different contexts. Expanding this work to other dietary changes and countries will support further development of public health policies.

Key messages

• Different possible scenarios of substitution of beef consumption by pulses, an alternative plant-based protein source, will lead to overall positive health and sustainability impacts.

• Quantitative measurements of the integrated health, environmental and socioeconomic impacts of dietary transitions will support development of public health policies towards sustainable diets.

Monteiro Pires, S., Fieis de Melo, J., Vieira, A. C. L., Gomez Redondo, H., Assunção, R., Cozzi, E., Biasini, B., & Menozzi, D. (2023). Health and sustainability impacts of scenarios of replacement of beef by pulses in two EU countries. European Journal of Public Health, 33(Supplement_2). https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckad160.347

Abstract:

Background

Diet and nutrition are crucial factors for public health. The importance of diet in promoting sustainability is increasingly understood, and there is a large overlap between healthy and sustainable diet. In Norway, municipalities play a key role in public health work including promoting a healthy diet in the population. The aim of this study was to describe Norwegian municipalities’ efforts to improve the diet of the population, and examine whether this was linked to sustainability.

Methods

All 356 municipalities in Norway were invited to answer a digital questionnaire which was filled in by 170 municipalities (48%). The data are presented as proportions.

Results

Most of the municipalities participating in the survey (91%) reported implementing at least one intervention to promote a healthy diet, however, these were mainly limited to a few nationwide activities such as the school milk or school fruit schemes. Only 7-8% were working to promote a sustainable diet through nudging or reducing meat consumption. Reduction of food waste was reported by 38% of the municipalities. In only a third of the municipalities, did employees who work with public health or sustainability have nutrition competencies.

The municipalities that did not answer the questionnaire were to a greater extent small municipalities and municipalities located in northern Norway than the municipalities that participated in the survey.

Conclusions

The work to promote a healthy diet was fragmented and not an integrated part of the public health effort in most municipalities. Very few municipalities worked to promote a more sustainable diet.

Key messages

• Efforts to promote a healthy diet in Norwegian municipalities are fragmented and inadequate.

• Norwegian municipalities’ promotion of a healthy diet is to a limited extent linked to promoting sustainability.

Torheim, L. E., Totland, T. H., Lyshol, H., Ljøsne, I., & Helleve, A. (2023). How are Norwegian municipalities working to promote a healthy and sustainable diet? European Journal of Public Health, 33(Supplement_2). https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckad160.1091

Abstract:

Encouraging restaurant guests to order vegetarian dishes plays a key role in creating a more environmentally sustainable tourism sector. However, for many consumers eating a meat dish is an important aspect of their enjoyment-focused restaurant experience. Identifying new approaches that support restaurants in selling more vegetarian dishes are urgently needed. Drawing from hedonic psychology and affective forecasting theory, this study tests two interventions aimed at directing ordering towards specific vegetarian dishes in a scenario-based survey experiment with 742 consumers. Results show the potential of affective forecasting as a promising psychological mechanism. Displaying an appetising picture of a vegetarian dish on a menu increases stated ordering of the dish because the picture directs consumer attention to the dish and triggers them to imagine eating the dish. Consumers who imagine eating the dish feel stronger anticipated enjoyment of eating it. Adding to the picture an invitation to imagine eating the dish does not further increase the effect. This study explains the psychological mechanism of how a picture of an appetising vegetarian dish changes food choices and provides restaurants with a cost-effective measure to direct ordering towards more environmentally sustainable dishes.

Fechner, D., Karl, M., Grün, B., & Dolnicar, S. (2023). How can restaurants entice patrons to order environmentally sustainable dishes? Testing new approaches based on hedonic psychology and affective forecasting theory. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2023.2274283

Abstract:

Background

The evidence on the environmental, socio-cultural and economic impacts of current diets highlights the need for countries to develop food based dietary guidelines incorporating sustainability. This study assessed consumers current beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours to transitioning to more sustainable dietary practices.

Methods

An online quantitative survey was developed. An all-Island sample in Ireland, representative of national age and gender distribution was recruited by Qualtrics XM market research company. Ethical approval for the study was granted by the Social Research Ethics Committee of UCC and reaffirmed by Queens University Belfast. Data were analysed using STATA SE Version 17.0.

Results

Affordability, accessibility, nutrition, and health were the most important characteristics of sustainable diets reported by participants that influence food purchases. Almost half of respondents were not interested in eating less animal-based food (45%) and more plant-based foods (51%). However, 22% reported to have started reducing red and processed meat consumption ‘some of the time'. The most popular sustainable dietary behaviours that people were already engaged with are: eating more home-cooked meals (59%), reducing food waste through prevention (41%), and eating less discretionary foods (55%).

Conclusions

Facilitating dietary change is a critical component of the transition towards more sustainable diets. A multi-pronged strategy is needed to transition to food environments that empower people to choose healthier and more sustainable options. This includes downstream actions at the individual level, including awareness and education campaigns, but more importantly upstream where strong leadership through public policies taking a whole of population approach is imperative.

Key messages

• Much work has to be done to reconnect human and ecological health, building awareness and knowledge of sustainable diets, and to make the more sustainable choice the easier, and acceptable choice.

• Affordability, accessibility and nutrition and health are important characteristics of sustainable diets influencing food purchases. These need to be considered in the development of key messages.

Harrington, J. M., Kenny, T., O’Mahony, L., McCarthy, S., McCarthy, M., & Woodside, J. V. (2023). Irish consumers attitudes and behaviors to transitioning to more sustainable dietary. European Journal of Public Health, 33(Supplement_2). https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckad160.961

Abstract:

Background

The evidence on the environmental, socio-cultural and economic impacts of current diets highlights the need for countries to develop food based dietary guidelines incorporating sustainability. This study assessed consumers current beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours to transitioning to more sustainable dietary practices.

Methods

An online quantitative survey was developed. An all-Island sample in Ireland, representative of national age and gender distribution was recruited by Qualtrics XM market research company. Ethical approval for the study was granted by the Social Research Ethics Committee of UCC and reaffirmed by Queens University Belfast. Data were analysed using STATA SE Version 17.0.

Results

Affordability, accessibility, nutrition, and health were the most important characteristics of sustainable diets reported by participants that influence food purchases. Almost half of respondents were not interested in eating less animal-based food (45%) and more plant-based foods (51%). However, 22% reported to have started reducing red and processed meat consumption ‘some of the time'. The most popular sustainable dietary behaviours that people were already engaged with are: eating more home-cooked meals (59%), reducing food waste through prevention (41%), and eating less discretionary foods (55%).

Conclusions

Facilitating dietary change is a critical component of the transition towards more sustainable diets. A multi-pronged strategy is needed to transition to food environments that empower people to choose healthier and more sustainable options. This includes downstream actions at the individual level, including awareness and education campaigns, but more importantly upstream where strong leadership through public policies taking a whole of population approach is imperative.

Key messages

• Much work has to be done to reconnect human and ecological health, building awareness and knowledge of sustainable diets, and to make the more sustainable choice the easier, and acceptable choice.

• Affordability, accessibility and nutrition and health are important characteristics of sustainable diets influencing food purchases. These need to be considered in the development of key messages.

Harrington, J. M., Kenny, T., O’Mahony, L., McCarthy, S., McCarthy, M., & Woodside, J. V. (2023). Irish consumers attitudes and behaviors to transitioning to more sustainable dietary. European Journal of Public Health, 33(Supplement_2). https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckad160.961

Abstract:

The global food system is failing to appropriately nourish the population and has been identified as a driving force for environmental degradation. Changing current diets to healthier and more sustainable ones is key to decrease the incidence of non-communicable diseases and force changes at the production stage that will release environmental pressure. The determination of such diets is a challenge since it should be context specific, culturally acceptable, affordable, nutritionally adequate, and environmentally friendly. Through multiobjective optimization we aimed to determine a sustainable and healthy diet(SHD) in Spain with the minimum cost and environmental impact (assessed through GHGe, land use and blue-water use) that deviate the least from current consumption. Additionally, this research also compares the optimised diet with the Spanish food-based dietary guidelines(FBDG), and explores the potential benefits of reducing animal meat and milk while replacing them with plant-based alternatives. Compared to current consumption, a SHD in Spain can be more nutritious and reduce cost, GHGe, land and blue-water use by 32%, 46%, 27%, and 41%, respectively. The Spanish intake displayed the worst nutritional assessment and the highest values for GHGe and land use. The Spanish FBDG showed the highest cost and blue-water usage. Further analysis revealed that plant-based meat alternatives are not necessary to achieve a nutritionally adequate diet at the minimum cost and environmental impact. Shifting to fortified plant-based milk alternatives may add additional environmental benefits. This work emphasizes the potentiality of using optimization to determine a SHD and identifies important gaps to be fulfilled in future research.

Muñoz-Martínez, J., Elías, R. A., Batlle-Bayer, L., Cussó-Parcerisas, I., & Carrillo-Álvarez, E. (2023). Optimizing sustainable, affordable and healthy diets and estimating the impact of plant-based substitutes to milk and meat: A case study in Spain. Journal of Cleaner Production, 424, 138775. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.138775

Abstract:

Background

Meat production has negative impacts on climate change which could, along with other factors such as health and animal welfare, motivate individuals to eat less meat. So far, willingness to reduce meat consumption and motives to do so are not sufficiently understood. Therefore, we conducted a scoping review, based on the PRISMA-ScR guidelines.

Methods

The research questions were: What is the evidence regarding (1) the awareness about the link between meat consumption and climate change, (2) the willingness of individuals to reduce meat consumption to mitigate climate change and (3) individuals having reduced meat consumption for the reason of climate protection? We systematically searched multiple databases and included studies from 2015 onwards.

Results

Of 62 identified studies, 50 have been analysed so far. Research in this field increased steadily in the last years, with most studies being cross-sectional and conducted in Europe. Results indicate that the negative influence of meat consumption on climate change is relatively unknown or often being underestimated, yet awareness increased over the last decade. Among persons who think meat reduction is an effective strategy to mitigate climate change, the willingness to reduce consumption is more frequent. Regarding individuals who have reduced meat consumption, climate protection as a motive seems to be gaining importance over time. The results are preliminary.

Conclusions

The climate change mitigation potential of meat reduction should be better communicated, e.g. in health promotion campaigns, to further raise awareness, strengthen willingness to reduce meat consumption and initiate behaviour change. Longitudinal studies are necessary to accompany the whole process, from awareness and intentions to behavioural change.

Key messages

• The scoping review shows to what extent climate protection aspects influence individual willingness to reduce meat consumption.

• Also, research gaps in this field are being identified.

Moosburger, R., Richter, A., Manz, K., Mensink, G. B. M., & Loss, J. (2023). Perspectives of individuals on reducing meat consumption to mitigate climate change: A scoping review. European Journal of Public Health, 33(Supplement_2). https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckad160.1422

Abstract:

The focus of nutritionists is on improvement of the health impact of current diets. Therefore, it is important to ask the question whether healthy diets are more sustainable. This review provides an overview on the research on synergies between health and sustainability. Synergies are found from shifts from animal-based to plant-based diets, from ultra-processed foods to fresh and whole foods and from reduction of food waste. The importance of looking at sustainability of the present diets has led to steps made in Europe to incorporate sustainability into food-based dietary guidelines. Examples from UK, Nordics, Belgium and the Netherlands are given. World Wildlife Fund has summarised the insides in a future-proof diet: the planet-based diet within planetary boundaries.

van Dooren, C. (2023). Planet-based diets: Improving environmental sustainability of healthy diets. The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0029665123003737

Abstract:

Humanity is now facing what may be the biggest challenge to its existence: irreversible climate change brought about by human activity. Our planet is in a state of emergency, and we only have a short window of time (7–8 years) to enact meaningful change. The goal of this systematic literature review is to summarize the peer-reviewed literature on proposed solutions to climate change in the last 20 years (2002–2022), and to propose a framework for a unified approach to solving this climate change crisis. Solutions reviewed include a transition toward use of renewable energy resources, reduced energy consumption, rethinking the global transport sector, and nature-based solutions. This review highlights one of the most important but overlooked pieces in the puzzle of solving the climate change problem – the gradual shift to a plant-based diet and global phaseout of factory (industrialized animal) farming, the most damaging and prolific form of animal agriculture. The gradual global phaseout of industrialized animal farming can be achieved by increasingly replacing animal meat and other animal products with plant-based products, ending government subsidies for animal-based meat, dairy, and eggs, and initiating taxes on such products. Failure to act will ultimately result in a scenario of irreversible climate change with widespread famine and disease, global devastation, climate refugees, and warfare. We therefore suggest an “All Life” approach, invoking the interconnectedness of all life forms on our planet. The logistics for achieving this include a global standardization of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) or similar measures and the introduction of a regulatory body for verification of such measures. These approaches will help deliver environmental and sustainability benefits for our planet far beyond an immediate reduction in global warming.

Feigin, S. V., Wiebers, D. O., Lueddeke, G., Morand, S., Lee, K., Knight, A., Brainin, M., Feigin, V. L., Whitfort, A., Marcum, J., Shackelford, T. K., Skerratt, L. F., & Winkler, A. S. (2023). Proposed solutions to anthropogenic climate change: A systematic literature review and a new way forward. Heliyon, 9(10), e20544. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20544

Abstract:

This paper investigates consumer choices in the presence of conflicting goals, with and without information making conflicts salient. An experimental online study was conducted with a sample of German consumers, focusing on pig farming. The results show that personal health benefits outweigh animal welfare considerations, while the latter still weigh more than environment-related sustainability attributes. Providing information can have ambiguous effects, depending on the sustainability trade-off being investigated and the type of information provided. The findings reveal that consumers are heterogeneous in their preferences for different protected goods, and these differences can be attributed to psychographic and socio-demographic factors.

Klink-Lehmann, J., Tatic, M., Weingarten, N., & Hartmann, M. (2023). Sustainability trade-offs in animal husbandry: consumers’ choice when they can’t have it all. Q Open. https://doi.org/10.1093/qopen/qoad025

Abstract:

This study aimed to quantify the carbon footprint of elementary school lunch menus across six major urban school districts in the United States, and to simulate the effect of sustainable food policies on carbon emission reductions, while ensuring nutritional requirements remain adequate. We analyzed a total of twenty distinct meals per district selected from a four-week period and calculated their carbon emissions using life-cycle assessment data. We then modeled three scenarios to reduce carbon emissions: a) Reduction of beef meal offerings to one day per month, b) Introduction of one entirely plant-based day per week, and c) A combination of scenarios 1 and 2.   Our findings revealed that beef-containing meals had the highest carbon emissions, while plant-based meals had the lowest. Implementing the one beef day per month policy led to an average savings of 34% in emissions, while the highest plant-based day policy led to a 32% reduction in emissions. Combining both policies resulted in an average reduction of 43% in emissions. Importantly, our nutritional analysis demonstrated that implementing these sustainable food policies resulted in meals with statistically similar macronutrient and micronutrient profiles and contributed increased dietary fiber intake.   These results highlight the potential environmental and health benefits of adopting sustainable nutrition policies in elementary schools. By implementing policies that reduce meat consumption and promote plant-based diets, schools can address food insecurity, adverse health impacts, and contribute to overall sustainability goals.

Boronowsky, R., Yang, K. L., Natanson, L., Wang, M., Koch, P., Cleveland, D., Roback, S. L., Olarte, D., Reddy, Y., & Presley, K. (2023). The carbon footprint of school lunch: Moving toward a healthy and sustainable future for the next generation. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4610351

Abstract:

Background

Dietary change towards a diet low in greenhouse gas emissions (GHGEs) can reduce climate impact and improve individual-level health. However, there is a lack of understanding if diet interventions can achieve low-GHGE diets.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial was conducted to assess the effects of an app-based intervention. The intervention was designed to improve dietary intake of people with Type 2 diabetes, and was delivered via an app over 12 weeks, with each week covering one diet-related topic. Dietary intake was assessed at baseline and 3-month follow up by a 95-item food frequency questionnaire and linked to GHGE values. A total of n = 93 participants (n = 46 and n = 47 for the intervention and control group, respectively) were included in the analysis. Changes to GHGEs within and between the groups were analysed with inferential statistics.

Results

The majority (60%) of participants were male, with a mean age of 63.2 years and body mass index of 30 kg/m2. At baseline, diet-related GHGEs were 4.8 and 4.9 kg CO2-eq/day in the intervention and control group, respectively. At 3-month follow up the corresponding GHGEs were 4.7 and 4.9 kg CO2-eq/day. We found no statistically significant changes to diet-related GHGEs within or between groups, or within food categories, from baseline to 3-month follow up.

Conclusion

No evidence was found for the effectiveness of the app-based intervention to generate changes to diet-related GHGEs in a population of people with Type 2 diabetes. However, future interventions that target reducing meat consumption specifically may have the potential to result in a reduction of individual-level diet-related GHGEs.

Pitt, S., Sjöblom, L., Bälter, K., Trolle Lagerros, Y., & Bonn, S. E. (2023). The effect of an app-based dietary intervention on diet-related greenhouse gas emissions - results from a randomized controlled trial. The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 20(1), 123. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-023-01523-0

Abstract:

Air pollution increases cardiovascular and respiratory-disease risk, and reduces cognitive and physical performance. Food production, especially of animal products, is a major source of methane and ammonia emissions which contribute to air pollution through the formation of particulate matter and ground-level ozone. Here we show that dietary changes towards more plant-based flexitarian, vegetarian, and vegan diets could lead to meaningful reductions in air pollution with health and economic benefits. Using systems models, we estimated reductions in premature mortality of 108,000-236,000 (3-6%) globally, including 20,000-44,000 (9-21%) in Europe, 14,000-21,000 (12-18%) in North America, and 49,000-121,000 (4-10%) in Eastern Asia. We also estimated greater productivity, increasing economic output by USD 0.6-1.3 trillion (0.5-1.1%). Our findings suggest that incentivising dietary changes towards more plant-based diets could be a valuable mitigation strategy for reducing ambient air pollution and the associated health and economic impacts, especially in regions with intensive agriculture and high population density.

Springmann, M., Van Dingenen, R., Vandyck, T., Latka, C., Witzke, P., & Leip, A. (2023). The global and regional air quality impacts of dietary change. Nature Communications, 14(1), 6227. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-41789-3

Abstract:

Animal production is responsible for 56–58% of the GHG emissions and limiting meat consumption would strongly contribute to reducing human health risks in Western countries. This study aimed to investigate the nature of protein intake as a discriminating factor for diets’ sustainability. Using data from 29,210 French adults involved in the NutriNet-Santé cohort, we identified clusters according to 23 protein sources. A multicriteria (environmental, economic, nutritional and health) sustainability analysis was then conducted on the identified clusters. The economic analysis focused on both food and protein expenditure structures, using a budget coefficient approach. Relative values of clusters compared to the whole sample were calculated. We identified five clusters: milk-based, meat-based, fast food-based, healthy-fish-based, and healthy-plant-based. We found that the healthy-plant-based and healthy-fish-based clusters were the most sustainable, conciliating the compromise between human health (0.25 and 0.53 respectively for the Health Risk Score) and the protection of the environment (− 62% and − 19% respectively for the pReCiPe indicator). Conversely, the highest environmental impacts (+ 33% for the pReCiPe indicator) and the highest health risk (0.95 for the HRS) were observed for the meat-based cluster, which was associated with the lowest nutritional scores (− 61% for the PNNS-GS2 score). The economic analysis showed that the healthy-plant-based cluster was the one with the highest food budget coefficient (+ 46%), followed by the healthy-fish-based cluster (+ 8%), partly explained by a strong share of organic food in the diet. However, the meat-based cluster spent more of their food budget on their protein intake (+ 13%), while the healthy-plant-based cluster exhibited the lowest expenditure for this intake (− 41%). Our results demonstrate that the nature of protein intake is a discriminating factor in diet sustainability. Also, reducing animal protein consumption would generate co-benefits beyond environmental impacts, by being favorable for health, while reducing the monetary cost associated with protein intake.

Springmann, M., Van Dingenen, R., Vandyck, T., Latka, C., Witzke, P., & Leip, A. (2023). The global and regional air quality impacts of dietary change. Nature Communications, 14(1), 6227. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-41789-3

Abstract:

Environmental impacts of the livestock sector are proportional to consumption levels. To assess the relative consumption of livestock animals within the diets of dogs, cats and people, this study examined their dietary energy needs within the US in 2020, and globally in 2018. Also studied were US pet food ingredients, and environmental sustainability indicators for plant- and animal-based foods consumed globally. Relative consumptions of average livestock animals were: US: dogs– 17.7%, cats– 2.3%, humans– 80.0%; and globally: dogs– 7.7%, cats– 1.2%, humans– 91.1%. Full transition to nutritionally-sound vegan diets would spare from slaughter the following numbers of terrestrial livestock animals annually (billions): US: dogs– 1.7, cats– 0.2, humans– 7.8, and globally: dogs– 6.0, cats– 0.9, humans– 71.3, as well as billions of aquatic animals in all dietary groups. Very large impact reductions were also associated with land and water use, emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs), acidifying and eutrophifying gases, and biocide use, in all dietary groups. If implemented globally, nutritionally-sound vegan diets would free up land larger than the following nations: dogs–Saudi Arabia or Mexico, cats–Japan or Germany, humans–Russia–the world’s largest country–combined with India. Such diets would save freshwater volumes greater than all renewable freshwater in the following nations: dogs–Denmark, cats–Jordan, humans–Cuba. Such diets would reduce GHGs by amounts greater than all GHG emissions from following nations: dogs–South Africa or the UK, cats–Israel or New Zealand, humans–India or the entire EU. The numbers of additional people who could be fed using food energy savings associated with vegan diets exceeded the 2018 human populations of the following nations: dogs–the entire European Union, cats–France or the UK, humans–every single nation or collective region on Earth, as defined by the World Bank. All of these estimates are conservative.

Knight, A. (2023). The relative benefits for environmental sustainability of vegan diets for dogs, cats and people. Plos One, 18(10), e0291791. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0291791

Abstract:

Objective: Young adults have gained recognition as a period marked by changes in dietary and other lifestyle behaviors. The aim was to characterized young adults as meat and non-meat consumers and examine non-meat consumers associations between lifestyle behaviors, reasons, and motivations for adhering to vegetarian styles. Methods: crosssectional analysis with 692 college students from 18 to 25 years old. Participants reported socio-demographic and lifestyle characteristics. Non-meat consumers questionnaire was related to aspects of adhering a vegetarian style, and they were classified as difficulties, positive and negative aspects of adhering it. Questions related to overall health were asked. Descriptive analysis and logistic regressions were used for analyses. Results: The majority of the study participants were female (79.2%) with mean age of 21.2±0.07 years. Almost 18% of the participants were non-meat consumers, from those, 78.9% reported themselves as ovo-lacto-vegetarian. Meat consumers had a higher probability for practicing less physical activity (PA) (OR 1.51; 95%CI 1.01, 2.27) and being less underweight (OR 0.22; 95%CI 0.10, 0.49) or normal weight (OR 0.48; 95%CI 0.28, 0.84) as compared to non-meat consumers. Ovo-lacto-vegetarian was more likely to reduce industrialized items (OR 3.69; 95%CI 1.18, 11.56) and less willing to do things (OR 0.10; 95%CI 0.01, 0.52) than vegan adults. Conclusion: Most participants were meat-consumers and had higher chances of not practicing PA and being more overweight. Vegans might be consuming more industrialized foods and were more willing to do things. Future studies should be considered to increase data generalizability in Brazil and other countries.

Maestre, S., Mazzeo, I., Leme, A. C., & Fisberg, M. (2023). Behavioral lifestyles and motivations for adopting a vegetarian style among under-graduate students from the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Residência Pediátrica, 13(2). https://residenciapediatrica.com.br/exportar-pdf/1365/en_v13n2aop782.pdf

Abstract:

Background

In the UK, reduced meat consumption is needed to protect planetary health and reduce noncommunicable disease. An analysis of the UK's National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) found from 2008-2019, daily meat consumption per capita decreased from 103.7g to 86.3g (∼1.7% per annum). This trend is not fast enough to meet reduction targets, such as the National Food Strategy's goal of a 30% reduction by 2030.

Objectives

This study aimed to examine behaviours driving the reduction in meat consumption. Specifically, we investigated two key strategies: reduced consumption frequency and smaller portion sizes.

Design

Using NDNS rolling programme (2008/09-2018/19) data, we evaluated changes in: 1) the number of meat-eating days, 2) the number of meat-containing meal occasions, and 3) the portion size of meat per meat-containing meal occasion using Poisson and linear regression models. Meat consumption was based on disaggregated data from 4-day food diaries. Using decomposition analysis, we estimated the proportion of responsibility for each consumption behaviour relative to the overall decrease in consumption.

Results

The mean number of meat-eating days decreased from 3.3 to 3.0 days (P < 0.001), the mean number of daily meat-containing meal occasions decreased from 1.2 to 1.1 occasions (P = 0.01), and the mean portion size of meat decreased from 85.8g to 76.1g (P < 0.001). Portion size contributed most to the reductions in meat consumption (57%), followed by meat-eating days (37%), and meat-containing meal occasions (6%).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest the decrease in UK meat consumption can be largely attributed to smaller portion sizes of meat. Understanding the nuances of meat consumption behaviours (i.e., “meat-free days” vs. “meat-free meals” vs. “low-meat meals”) could help tailor behaviour change interventions by showing the need for a focus on promoting low-meat meals to accelerate reductions in meat consumption toward population and environmental health goals.

Key messages

• The decrease in UK meat consumption is largely being driven by reductions in portion size of meat at meal occasions.

• Understanding nuances of meat consumption behaviours can help tailor behaviour change interventions by showing the need for a focus on promoting low-meat meals to accelerate reduced meat consumption.

Bellows, A., Jaacks, L., Alexander, P., & Stewart, C. (2023). Contribution of meat-free days, meat-free meals, and portion sizes to UK meat consumption declines. European Journal of Public Health, 33(Supplement_2). https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckad160.250

Abstract:

Concerns surrounding environmental and health impacts of meat production and consumption have motivated consumers to reduce their intake of animal-based products, with many adopting a ‘flexitarian’ diet that involves reduction of animal-based products, without complete abstinence. The underlying motivations driving this dietary shift remain unclear.

Two online studies investigated whether subgroups of flexitarian consumers could be identified through individual differences in psychological traits that were hypothesised to be related to flexitarianism. Consumer subgroups were compared on their self-reported meat consumption and factors important to their dietary choices.

In Study 1, self-identified flexitarians (N = 353) completed questionnaires comprising validated items related to psychological aspects of food choices (e.g., food-neophobia, food-involvement, health-consciousness). Consumer segments were created based on clusters of differences in motivations to follow a flexitarian diet. Study 2 (N = 297) sought to validate these initial clusters in a naïve sample of self-identified flexitarians.

In Study 1, consumers grouped into three distinct clusters defined as ‘health-driven’, ‘trend-cautious’, and ‘adventurous’ flexitarians. Differences in food choice motivations and the importance of reducing meat intake were observed between clusters, but not reflected in differences in meat consumption. In Study 2, four consumer segments were defined as ‘health-only’, ‘traditional trend-cautious’, ‘adventurous’ and ‘health-focused’ flexitarians. Again, differences in food motivations, health interest, justifications for meat consumption and the importance of reducing meat intake were observed between clusters, but not reflected in differences in meat consumption.

Sheen, F., JiaYing Lim, A., & Forde, C. G. (2023). Diversity among flexitarian consumers: Stratifying meat reducers by their underlying motivations to move to a plant-based diet. Food Quality and Preference, 105022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2023.105022

Abstract:

Dry-aged beef provides superior qualities and a unique taste experience due to its exceptional sensory attributes, including tenderness, juiciness, and flavor, compared to traditional beef. Our study focused on the factors that impact consumers' intention to consume and willingness to pay for dry-aged beef. We implemented an extended version of the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) model that contains a measure of meat-eater identity to analyze the intention to consume and the willingness to pay a premium for dry-aged beef steak that has undergone 21–30 days of aging. An online survey was conducted with a stratified sample of Italian respondents (n = 944). The data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The TPB's effectiveness was enhanced by adding the meat-eater identity construct to the model. Specifically, it was found that the participants' meat-eater identity significantly influenced their intention to consume. The results also revealed that the most critical impact of identity comes from the mediated influence of attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Finally, the intention to consume strongly influenced the willingness to pay for a dry-aged beef steak.

Gutierrez, L., Lai, R., Nocella, G., & Sabbagh, M. (2024). Extending the theory of planned behavior to examine the role of meat-eater identity: The case of dry-aged beef. Meat Science, 207, 109372. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2023.109372

Abstract:

In this study, we conducted the first scientific investigation focusing on Brazilian flexitarians, aiming to characterize their socio-economic and demographic profiles, motivations for adopting flexitarianism, the frequency of animal-based meat consumption, and the primary meat substitutes they consume. To accomplish this, we distributed an online questionnaire with the assistance of university students and researchers from various regions of the country. Data were collected from 1029 individuals in Brazil who self-identified as flexitarians. Our findings reveal that the flexitarian dietary model is primarily adopted by women, constituting 76% of the sample (n = 786). Their motivations include concerns about the environmental impact of meat consumption (n = 361, 35%), personal health (n = 344, 33%), and animal welfare (n = 219, 21%). Flexitarians exhibit varying consumption patterns, which can be categorized into three groups: light flexitarians (consuming meat 36 times a week), medium flexitarians (consuming meat 7 times a week), and heavy flexitarians (consuming meat 4 times a week). The flexitarian dietary pattern is characterized by reduced beef consumption (less than 2 times per week) and higher consumption of chicken (3 times per week). It is complemented by plant-based protein sources and eggs as the primary meat substitutes. The recognition of legumes as the principal meat substitutes opens avenues for an expanded discussion on sustainable food systems and alternative meat products in Brazil. This provides opportunities to enhance the availability and accessibility of these foods and to develop nutritional interventions that prioritize plant-based proteins.

Teixeira, C. D., Marchioni, D. M., Motta, V. W. de L., Chaves, V. M., Gomes, S. M., & Jacob, M. C. M. (2023). Flexitarians in Brazil: Who are they, what do they eat, and why? Appetite, 107093. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2023.107093

Abstract:

Meat demand is a crucial part of limiting the rise in global temperature below 1.5 °C or, at least, 2 °C and has an important role in maintaining public health. We combined machine learning with comprehensive meat consumption drivers to analyze and project meat demand both in history (1961–2019) and future scenarios (2020–2100). Our results revealed the disproportionate climate impacts of meat consumption in the West. The country group, Western Countries, was the biggest consumer in history, consuming 38% of global meat cumulatively but accounting for only 14% of the world population from 1961 to 2019. Our projections show that global total meat demand will decline in this century under most future scenarios. The East Asia & Pacific region is expected to contribute 56%–125% of global meat demand decline, but the region is used to being deemed the main driver of many current dramatically rising environmental problems. On the contrary, meat demand in Western Countries may be more likely to increase by 15%–71% between 2020 and 2100. However, both the general public and governments in Western Countries seem reluctant to promote lifestyle changing to mitigate climate change. Thus, it is essential to take measures to limit the negative environmental impacts of increasing meat demand. Especially western high-income countries need to take proportional responsibility for international cooperation to reduce meat consumption for climate change mitigation.

Jia, J., Dawson, T. P., Wu, F., Han, Q., & Cui, X. (2023). Global meat demand projection: Quo Vadimus? Journal of Cleaner Production, 429, 139460. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.139460

Abstract:

Background

High consumption of red meat is an important cause of burden of disease and environmental degradation globally. To motivate changes in food consumption and production, policymakers need evidence on the overall impact of such changes on the health of citizens, and on all aspects of sustainability: environment, socioeconomics, and culture.

Methods

Using three different approaches, we compared the impact of four scenarios of replacement of beef consumption with pulses (a well-established plant protein source) in two EU countries, Portugal and Denmark. First, health impacts were quantified in disability-adjusted life years (DALY); second, sustainability impact was measured using various social, economic and environmental indicators. Finally, we used MACBETH (Measuring Attractiveness by a Categorical Based Evaluation Technique), an interactive, iterative, multicriteria decision analysis approach, to create a quantitative value model.

Results

We estimated positive health impacts for all substitution scenarios in the two populations. Positive impacts were larger for Denmark and ranged from 5,9 DALYs (25% substitution of beef by pulses in Portugal) to 39,7 DALYs averted/100,000 people (100% substitution, Denmark). The two countries had positive economic impacts, but beef production was more resilient than pulses. Environmental and social impacts of beef production were consistently higher than pulses. The MCDA model included a set of 15 criteria within the four dimensions of analysis to assess the overall value of implementing each scenario.

Conclusions

Individually, each approach allowed us to compare health, sustainability and integrated impacts of different options for food substitutions relevant to the sustainability agenda. Together, they allowed us to create a platform for discussing the co-benefits of dietary changes in different contexts. Expanding this work to other dietary changes and countries will support further development of public health policies.

Key messages

• Different possible scenarios of substitution of beef consumption by pulses, an alternative plant-based protein source, will lead to overall positive health and sustainability impacts.

• Quantitative measurements of the integrated health, environmental and socioeconomic impacts of dietary transitions will support development of public health policies towards sustainable diets.

Monteiro Pires, S., Fieis de Melo, J., Vieira, A. C. L., Gomez Redondo, H., Assunção, R., Cozzi, E., Biasini, B., & Menozzi, D. (2023). Health and sustainability impacts of scenarios of replacement of beef by pulses in two EU countries. European Journal of Public Health, 33(Supplement_2). https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckad160.347

Abstract:

This article explores the potential ways in which artificial intelligence (AI) can support veganism, a lifestyle that aims to promote the protection of animals and also avoids the consumption of animal products for environmental and health reasons. The first part of the article discusses the technical requirements for utilizing AI technologies in the mentioned field. The second part provides an overview of potential use cases, including facilitating consumer change with the help of AI, technologically augmenting undercover investigations in factory farms, raising the efficiency of nongovernment organizations promoting plant-based lifestyles, and so forth. The article acknowledges that the deployment of AI should not happen in a “solutionist” manner, meaning to always consider nontechnical means for achieving desired outcomes. However, it is important for organizations promoting veganism to realize the potential of modern data-driven tools and to merge and share their data to reach common goals.

Hagendorff, T. (2023). How artificial intellegence can support veganism: An exploratory analysis. Journal of Animal Ethics, 13(2), 142–149. https://doi.org/10.5406/21601267.13.2.05

Abstract:

Avoiding meat overconsumption is good for the environment and people's health. Changing meal names represents a simple, cost-effective way of increasing meat-free meal selection in restaurants. In the past, however, this approach has shown limited effectiveness. The activation of different social identities may explain inconsistencies in prior findings and offer a powerful leverage point for influencing meal choices. We recruited participants (N = 899) who identified as “meat-eaters” for an online experiment in which they were asked to select a meal from a menu that included meat-free and meat-based burgers. We manipulated (1) social identity salience (meat-eater identity; sustainable identity; personal identity) and (2) the meal names on the menu (vegetarian name; sustainable name; neutral name). Our findings show that activating a sustainable identity significantly increases the odds of selecting a meat-free burger (22%) compared to alternative identity conditions (meat-eater identity 12%, personal identity 12%). Sustainable meal names outperform vegetarian but not neutral meal names (sustainable name 20%, vegetarian name 12%, neutral name 15%). When participants who previously selected a meat-based burger (N = 760) were limited to meat-free menu options, satisfaction and enjoyment ratings dropped steeply. This drop was significantly stronger in the meat-eater identity condition. Accounting for identity salience can lead to more targeted, improved interventions that increase meat-free meal selections by accounting for people's different social identities and the social context in which food consumption tends to occur.

Zinn, A. K., Zhu, O. Y., & Dolnicar, S. (2023). Increasing meat-free meal selections: The role of social identity salience and identity-related meal names. Appetite, 191, 107067. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2023.107067

Abstract:

Consumption taxes on meat have recently been under consideration in several European countries as part of their effort to achieve more sustainable food systems. Yet a major concern is that these taxes might burden low-income households disproportionately. Here we compare different meat tax designs and revenue recycling schemes in terms of their distributional impacts in a large sample of European countries. We find that across all selected tax designs, uncompensated meat taxes are slightly regressive. However, the effect on inequality is mild and can be reversed through revenue recycling via uniform lump-sum transfers in most cases. Using meat tax revenues towards lowering value-added taxes on fruit and vegetable products dampens but does not fully offset the regressive effect. Variation in the distributional impact can be explained by cross-country heterogeneity in consumption patterns, design choices between unit-based and ad valorem taxation and differentiation according to greenhouse gas intensities.

Klenert, D., Funke, F., & Cai, M. (2023). Meat taxes in Europe can be designed to avoid overburdening low-income consumers. Nature Food. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-023-00849-z

Abstract:

Men tend to eat more meat than women, but it is not clear why. We tested three hypotheses in cross-cultural design (20,966 individuals in 23 countries across four continents): that gender differences are a) a function of biological differences in dietary needs and are thus universal, b) related to gender roles and thus weaker in countries with higher gender equality, or c) related to opportunities to express gender roles and thus stronger in countries with higher economic development. Across all countries, men tended to consume more meat than women. However, this difference increased significantly in countries with greater human development and gender equality. The paradoxical gender gap in meat consumption aligns with previous research that suggests greater differences in behavior across genders in contexts that are more developed and gender equal. We discuss implications for theories of culture and gender as well as practical implications for global meat reduction.

Hopwood, C. J., Zizer, J. N., Nissen, A. T., Dillard, C., Thompkins, A. M., Graça, J., Waldhorn, D. R., & Bleidorn, W. (2023). Paradoxical gender effects in in meat consumption across cultures. Research Square. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3423564/v1

Abstract:

This study aimed to analyze the leading research materials and research trends related to livestock food in Asia in recent years and propose future research agendas to ultimately contribute to the development of related livestock species. On analyzing more than 200 relevant articles, a high frequency of studies on livestock species and products with large breeding scales and vast markets was observed. Asia possesses the largest pig population and most extensive pork market, followed by that of beef, chicken, and milk; moreover, blood and egg markets have also been studied. Regarding research keywords, “meat quality” and “probiotics” were the most common, followed by “antioxidants,” which have been extensively studied in the past, and “cultured meat,” which has recently gained traction. The future research agenda for meat products is expected to be dominated by alternative livestock products, such as cultured and plant-derived meats; improved meat product functionality and safety; the environmental impacts of livestock farming; and animal welfare research. The future research agenda for dairy products is anticipated to include animal welfare, dairy production, probiotic-based development of high-quality functional dairy products, the development of alternative dairy products, and the advancement of lactose-free or personalized dairy products. However, determining the extent to which the various research articles’ findings have been applied in real-world industry proved challenging, and research related to animal food laws and policies and consumer surveys was lacking. In addition, studies on alternatives for sustainable livestock development could not be identified. Therefore, future research may augment industrial application, and multidisciplinary research related to animal food laws and policies as well as eco-friendly livestock production should be strengthened.

Lee, S. Y., Lee, D. Y., Mariano, E. Jr., Yun, S. H., Lee, J., Park, J., Choi, Y., Han, D., Kim, J. S., Joo, S.-T., & Hur, S. J. (2023). Study on the current research trends and future agenda in animal products: An Asian perspective. Journal of Animal Science and Technology. https://doi.org/10.5187/jast.2023.e121

Abstract:

Current food choices have a high carbon footprint and are incompatible with climate goals. Transitioning to more environmentally friendly diets is therefore important. Behavioural ‘nudges’ have been widely used to reduce meat-based food demand, subtly altering choice presentation without banning or raising costs. However, scaling up nudges has proven challenging, sometimes raising ethical concerns. To address this, behavioural science proposes empowering individuals to reflect on their choices, fostering meaningful and more environmentally-friendly behavioural changes. In an experimental study with 3,074 UK participants, we compared three agency-enhancing tools (‘boost’, ‘think’ and ‘nudge+’) with classic nudges (opt-out default and labelling) to promote sustainable dietary intentions. All behavioural interventions increased intentions for sustainable foods but encouraging reflection on dietary preferences before defaulting people into greener diets yielded the best results. Adding a pledge before the default nudge, as in nudge+ (pledge+ default), additionally reduced emissions from intended orders of meals by 40%. Our research suggests that food companies can enhance their sustainability efforts by prompting customers to think before nudging them into consuming more sustainable food.

Banerjee, S., Galizzi, M. M., John, P., & Mourato, S. (2023). Sustainable dietary choices improved by reflection before a nudge in an online experiment. Nature Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41893-023-01235-0

Abstract:

With growing urban populations becoming more removed from modern farm practices and farm animals, people are disconnected from the animal products they consume and the sentient being it once was. In our society animals are viewed as products instead of individuals; pigs are bacon, cows are hamburgers, and chickens are nuggets (Kunst & Hohle, 2016; Miralles, 2019). People also fail to recognize the ethical animal welfare issues surrounding factory farm practices and the environmental impacts of raising large numbers of animals for growing populations (Alonso et al., 2020). This inspired my first research study, completed in 2019, which concluded that children have the ability to become more compassionate towards animals and act empathetically if they are equipped with the knowledge to do so (Walker, 2020). I reasoned that education was only part of the equation, however, and meeting farm animals on a personal level would promote greater compassion while reducing the disconnection that exists. As a result of my research, I founded The Little Red Barn Sanctuary, where families could learn compassion and increase their empathy towards farm animals through education and personal interaction with sanctuary animals. In order to determine the impact of these interactions and education, my research aimed to demonstrate that compassionate empathy would increase with personal interactions and knowledge of farm animal welfare issues. Thereby shifting beliefs towards farm animals, motivating dietary changes with a plant-based emphasis, and promoting animal welfare involvement.

Jessica, W. (2023, October 2). Do sanctuary farm animal interactions and animal welfare education affect dietary choices and beliefs? The Canadian Science Fair Journal. https://csfjournal.com/volume-6-issue1/2023/9/6/do-sanctuary-farm-animal-interactions-and-animal-welfare-education-affect-dietary-choices-and-beliefs

Abstract:

While pet ownership is normative in many occidental countries, whether humans’ proximal contacts with pets have implications for attitudes and behaviors toward other (non pet) animals, nature, and fellow humans, has received limited empirical attention. In a large representative sample, we investigate whether pet ownership and positive contact with pets are associated with more positive attitudes and heightened concerns for non-pet animals, nature, and human outgroups. A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among Canadian adults (619 pet owners, 450 non-pet owners). Pet owners reported more positive attitudes toward non-pet animals (e.g., wild, farm animals), higher identification with animals, more positive attitudes toward human outgroups, higher biospheric environmental concerns, higher human–environment interdependence beliefs, and lower usual meat consumption. Positive contact with pets was also associated with most of these outcomes. Solidarity with animals, a dimension of identification with animals, emerged as a particularly clear predictor of these outcomes and mediated the associations between positive contact with pets and positive attitudes toward non-pet animals, biospheric, egoistic, and altruistic environmental concerns, human–environment interdependence beliefs, and diet. Our results provide support for the capacity of pets to shape human consideration for a broad range of social issues, beyond the specific context of human-pet relations.

Amiot, C. E., Gagné, C., & Bastian, B. (2023). Exploring the role of our contacts with pets in broadening concerns for animals, nature, and fellow humans: A representative study. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 17079. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-43680-z

Abstract:

The current study aimed to investigate transference assumption – that encouraging pro-animal attitudes will increase empathy both with humans and other species. We used a cross-sectional survey method to examine the triadic relations among empathy with humans, empathy with animals, and pro-animal attitudes. To compare the research conducted in primarily Western contexts, a sample of 669 Chinese adults completed the Animal Attitude Scale, Basic Empathy Scale, and Animal Empathy Scale. They also reported their sociodemographic data and the frequency and quality of their contact with companion animals. Results showed that: (a) Females showed significantly more empathy with humans and other animals and held more positive attitudes toward animals than males; (b) Higher frequency and quality of contact with companion animals significantly predicted more empathy with both humans and other animals and more positive attitudes toward animals; (c) Older participants showed more empathy with humans than younger participants, but younger participants showed more empathy with animals than older participants; (d) empathy with animals fully mediated the relationship between attitudes toward animals and empathy with humans. The findings extend previous work on cross-species associations of empathy and support the practices of fostering empathy and pro-social behavior through animal-related humane-education interventions.

Gu, X., Xie, L., & Bexell, S. M. (2023). The link between attitudes toward animals and empathy with humans in China: Mediation of empathy with animals. Anthrozoös, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/08927936.2023.2266924

Abstract:

The world’s large and growing appetite for meat and other animal products has profound implications for One Health, given its impacts on human health, the environment and animal health and welfare. Accordingly, there is robust evidence that a reduction of animal product consumption is urgently needed in regions where these consumption levels are currently high. A shift away from industrial animal production should be prioritized, given the high levels of animal product consumption this kind of system enables, its relatively high environmental toll, linkages to increasing risks of antimicrobial resistance and zoonoses emergence and harm to animal welfare. Until recently, however, few governments addressed the issue. On the contrary, many governments actively support industrial animal agriculture through subsidies and other measures.

Now, motivated by both environmental and public health concerns, policy makers in several countries are adopting regulatory and financial measures to address the overconsumption of animal products. Although these changes are clearly necessary and long overdue, it is crucial that they are planned carefully and inclusively to ensure a just transition. In lower-resourced and food-insecure settings, meat and other animal products can be a vital source of nutrients – particularly during infancy and childhood. In addition, meat supply chains support many livelihoods, and meat is an important part of many people’s social and cultural traditions. This means that policies that curtail common production practices, reduce meat output and raise meat prices could have significant impacts across society. A just transition approach can help ensure that the costs and benefits of the transition are more equitably distributed and protect the most vulnerable stakeholders. By doing so, it can also help increase public support for the transition. The concept of just transitions is well established in the energy sector but is only starting to be recognized in the context of the food system. Governments in the Global North should take the lead in this area, given these countries have very high levels of animal product consumption and more resources available to support a transition.

In this Policy Forum, we lay out the case for a just transition in animal agriculture and identify five principles to guide policy makers in promoting a just transition away from systems of industrial meat production and overconsumption.

Verkuijl, C., Strambo, C., Hocquet, R., Butterfield, R., Achakulwisut, P., Boyland, M., Araújo, J. A. V., Bakhtaoui, I., Smit, J., Lima, M. B., & Green, J. (2023). A just transition in animal agriculture is necessary for more effective and equitable One Health outcomes. CABI One Health. https://doi.org/10.1079/cabionehealth.2023.0021

Key Points:

• Animal parties are minor (niche) political parties with a single-issue focus on animals.

• Animal parties can win seats in elections that use proportional representation. The most important strategic decision is to choose to contest elections where seats can be won with just a couple of percent of the vote. Animal parties have won seats in five countries (Australia, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Portugal).

• When an animal party wins even one seat or a couple of seats, the impact for animals is typically positive and moderate. Occasionally, the impact can be enormous.

• We recommend a handful of countries where we think small grants are likely to help animal parties win at least one seat. Providing initial funding for animal parties in these countries appears to be low-hanging fruit, and this small level of funding is likely to have a disproportionately high level of impact.

Springlea, R. (2023a, October 6). Party politics for animal advocacy Part 1: Animal-focused minor political parties. Effective Altruism Forum. https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/kiq83nGBoK8tih4wB/party-politics-for-animal-advocacy-part-1-animal-focused

Executive Summary:

In this report, we ask whether the animal advocacy movement should invest more resources into forming party groups focused on animal welfare. For context, we usually encourage animal advocacy organisations to pursue legislative lobbying in general, and there are guides offering advice on how to conduct legislative lobbying for animal advocacy (1,2).

In this report, we focus specifically on party groups. Party groups are informal groups of MPs focused on a particular policy area. Party groups on various topics exist in many legislatures around the world. Party groups are a way to influence animal welfare policy through existing parties. Party groups may influence policy in a number of ways, such as: policy advocacy, in which groups can concretely affect specific details of policy proposals; information exchange, in which groups can provide information to politicians through reports and events; and agenda setting, in which groups make a particular topic more salient in a legislature or in the media. Academic studies show that party groups often have a policy impact. There are two main types of these groups:

• All-party groups (APGs), which draw their membership from across multiple parties in a legislature. The European Parliament's Animal Welfare Intergroup is an example of an APG.

• Sub-party groups (SPGs), which exist inside a single party. The UK's Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation is an example of an SPG.

We do not recommend that the movement invests huge resources into systematically launching party groups around the world. That said, we do believe that party groups are one promising tool among the many available in the legislative lobbying toolbox. While party groups are relatively cheap to run, the policy wins that tend to be obtained by party groups don't seem hugely different from what standard legislative lobbying would achieve. We also emphasise that successfully running a party group is a long-term investment—running a party group requires patience, political acumen, great communication skills, and (for sub-party groups) actively participating in the broader scene of the target political party.

We also identify the countries where there are not yet animal advocacy party groups. In a 2013 publication, Ringe et al conducted a close examination of party groups in 45 of the world's advanced industrial democracies. That study found that of these 45 countries, 25 have some form of party group system. There are 17 countries that already have animal welfare party groups. Therefore, the following countries do not yet appear to have animal welfare party groups in their national legislatures: India, South Africa, Sweden, Germany, Hungary, Indonesia, New Zealand, Norway. This is also true for the subnational legislatures in India's states, South Africa's provinces, Germany's states, Indonesia's provinces, plus some states in the USA and some states and territories in Australia. These jurisdictions would be the most promising opportunities for launching new party groups focused on animal advocacy.

Springlea, R. (2023b, October 25). Party politics for animal advocacy Part 2: Establishing groups across or within major political parties [Forum Post]. Effective Altruism Forum. https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/KDeRC5zbCquagLtCh/party-politics-for-animal-advocacy-part-2-establishing

Abstract:

Objective:

To investigate whether food literacy competencies and diet quality vary between 16-to-24-year-olds vegans, lacto-ovo vegetarians, pescatarians, flexitarians and omnivores and to assess whether food literacy is associated with diet quality.

Design:

Cross-sectional study. Food literacy (general nutrition knowledge, critical nutrition literacy and food skills) and diet quality were measured using an electronic questionnaire.

Setting:

Southern Norway, September 2021 – March 2022.

Participants:

Healthy 16–24-year-olds (n 165).

Results:

Overall, the mean general nutrition knowledge score was moderate (48·0 out of 67·0); the lowest mean score was found in omnivores and the highest in flexitarians (45·6 v. 51·5) (P = 0·034). The mean score of critical nutrition literacy was also moderate (3·7 out of 5·0); vegans showed higher scores compared to other dietary practices (P = 0·018). No difference was observed in food skills between the different dietary practices. The overall median diet quality score was 46·0 out of 80·0, lowest in omnivores and highest in vegans (42·0 v. 56·0) (P =< 0·001). In multivariate regression analyses, general nutrition knowledge, food skills and vegan dietary practice were significantly associated with higher diet quality.

Conclusions:

We found moderate levels of food literacy across all dietary practices. The food literacy competencies, general nutrition knowledge and food skills were associated with higher diet quality in our sample. Omnivores showed both the lowest general nutrition knowledge level and lowest diet quality scores. In contrast, both flexitarians and vegans scored highest on general nutrition knowledge and diet quality scores, despite being one of the less restrictive and one of the strictest plant-based dietary practices, respectively.

Groufh-Jacobsen, S., Larsson, C., Van Daele, W., Margerison, C., Mulkerrins, I., Aasland, L. M., & Medin, A. C. (2023). Food literacy and diet quality in young vegans, lacto-ovo vegetarians, pescatarians, flexitarians and omnivores. Public Health Nutrition, 1–26. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980023002124

Abstract:

Vegetarian and vegan diets have been increasing in the Western world. Recent research has focused on personality trait differences between dietary groups, in part because personality traits are broad characteristics that can integrate findings about different factors that motivate vegetarian or vegan diets. Previous research on personality predictors of vegetarian and vegan (veg*n) diet, however, has yielded inconsistent results. The goal of this study was to integrate the existing results of Big Five personality differences between veg*ns and omnivores as well as between vegetarians and vegans. To this end, we meta-analyzed data from 15 studies and N = 69,576 individuals from several countries. Results indicated that veg*ns were significantly higher in Openness (d = 0.40) and Agreeableness (d = 0.17) than omnivores, while vegans were significantly higher in Openness (d = 0.14) than vegetarians. This work isolates Openness and Agreeableness as important trait predictors of plant-based diets and sets the stage for future work on the factors that motivate vegetarian or vegan diet. Personality traits can provide an integrative framework for conceptualizing dietary preferences, be used to make predictions about the sources, course and correlates of dietary choices, and potentially be useful for advocates and policymakers seeking to tailor meat-reduction interventions.

Reist, M. E., Bleidorn, W., Milfont, T. L., & Hopwood, C. J. (2023). Meta-analysis of personality trait differences between omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans. Appetite, 107085. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2023.107085

Abstract:

Purpose

This study aims to examine the factors of the vegan lifestyle on the travel experience. Special emphasis was placed on difficulties during travel and influencing factors for destination choice.

Design/methodology/approach

The vegan lifestyle has emerged as a growing market. The dietary reference is well-known, but the impact of the vegan lifestyle on tourism has received less attention. Earlier researchers have cited motivations of ethics, the environment and health as key. An online survey was conducted within the target group of vegans to provide more understanding of vegan tourism.

Findings

A few participants stated that they refused to visit countries due to too high meat consumption or due to long flight distances. Nature was named as the most decisive factor for choosing a travel destination among the respondents. Problems that might arise were mainly the general lack of awareness about veganism, as well as the confusion between vegetarianism and veganism in the destinations. Most respondents indicated that these problems were generally prepared for during the pre-planning process.

Research limitations/implications

Research on vegan tourism is a relatively unexplored niche topic, the study used related topics adapted to a vegan tourism context.

Practical implications

Enhanced education about veganism among tourism service providers would be desirable to counteract such problems in the future and make the travel experience more carefree for vegans.

Originality/value

There has been little research in the field of vegan tourism, thus, this study provides valuable information on the needs and challenges of this growing market.

Ottenbacher, M., Busam, S., Harrington, R. J., & Allhoff, J. (2023). The factors impacting on the travel experience of a vegan lifestyle. The International Hydrographic Review. https://doi.org/10.1108/IHR-02-2023-0016