Making novel staple foods the norm: perspectives from adult consumers with and without diabetes

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Novel staple foods are staple foods that are modified with the purpose of improving their nutritional properties. However, consumers' acceptance towards novel staple foods remains to be evaluated, especially in Asian populations where staple foods like white rice are a major source of energy. The objective of this study was to explore consumers' attitudes and perceptions towards novel staple foods in a multi-ethnic Asian population. We conducted 11 focus group discussions, with 37 healthy participants and 22 participants with diabetes recruited through newspaper, email and poster advertisement and in-person recruitment at a clinic. Thematic analysis using the general inductive approach was performed. We found that participants' conceptual understanding of the modification process affected their acceptance towards novel staple foods. Plant-based modifications were considered natural and acceptable while genetic modification and use of chemicals were unnatural and undesirable. Participants expected novel staple foods to be more expensive and less tasty and this was largely due to their perceptions and experiences with healthy eating. Participants with diabetes or family history of diabetes were generally more willing to compromise taste and cost for healthier staple foods, and this appeared to be driven by concerns about diabetes and its related co-morbidities. The appearance of food was an important influence on participants' initial impression of the food, which appeared to be mediated by taste expectations. Participants’ trust of novel staple foods was largely influenced by their trust in food industry, governmental authorities and nutrition science that was mediated through pathways of information and food safety.