Consumers’ Attitudes Facing Entomophagy: Polish Case Perspectives

Agnieszka Orkusz, Wioletta Wolańska, Joanna Harasym, Arkadiusz Piwowar and Magdalena Kapelko
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Agnieszka Orkusz: Department of Biotechnology and Food Analysis, Wroclaw University of Economics and Business, 53-345 Wroclaw, Poland
Wioletta Wolańska: Department of Forecasts and Economic Analysis, Wroclaw University of Economics and Business, 53-345 Wroclaw, Poland
Joanna Harasym: Department of Biotechnology and Food Analysis, Wroclaw University of Economics and Business, 53-345 Wroclaw, Poland
Arkadiusz Piwowar: Department of Economics and Organization of Food Economy, Wroclaw University of Economics and Business, 53-345 Wroclaw, Poland

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 7, 1-15

Abstract: Based on high nutritional value and low production costs, edible insects are an excellent and sustainable source of animal proteins. However, completely replacing meat with edible insects requires a change in consumer mentality not only in Poland, but also in other European countries. In western countries, most people reject eating insects, mainly for cultural reasons. Concerning this, the objective of the study was to examine the knowledge, behavior, and attitudes of the Polish community about edible insects and to understand the main factors driving edible insect consumption. The study was held at the Wroclaw University of Economics and Business, Poland and consisted of two parts: The survey (among 464 students) and the tasting session (among 402 participants). The main findings suggest that there is low willingness to adopt edible insects as a meat substitute among Polish students due to the psychological barriers, such as neophobia and disgust. However, the willingness to eat processed insect food (bread, biscuit) is far higher than for unprocessed whole insects. Environmental benefits are the factors that least affected students’ willingness to try edible insects. Additionally, the tasting session of the bread with powdered insects was attended by the vast majority of participants, which indicates that a positive sensory experience can improve the acceptability of insects as food.

Keywords: environmental concern; edible insects; food neophobia; behavior change (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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