Perception of Portuguese Consumers Regarding the Consumption of Cultured Meat

Abstract

Meat consumption is important to human diet due to its nutritional contents but the contents in saturated fatty acids, cholesterol and purines are harmful to human health. Furthermore, the population and urban growth expected in the coming decades and the consequent expected increase in the consumption of meat of animal origin is related to serious environmental, social and ethical problems that can jeopardize human food security and the future of the planet Earth. Cultured meat presents itself as a viable alternative, with no need to raise animals for slaughter, but consumer perception and acceptance are key factors for the implementation of this new product in the food sector. In the present study it was intent to observe the current pattern of consumption of conventional meat by Portuguese population, and the degree of concern regarding the problems with the food system. Data were collected through online anonymous questionnaire survey on social networks between the 30thOctober and 30thDecember 2021. Questionnaire was composed of 24 questions that addressed: i) sociodemographic data; ii) current social and environmental problems (related to meat consumption); iii) assessment of eating habits and food frequency consumption; and iv) perception of receptivity of the participants towards cultured meat. Results showed that 91.9% of the participants consume meat, while 8.0% of the sample reported not consuming any type of meat of animal origin. It was found that 55.2% of Portuguese participants were familiar with this new food, and 59.0% were willing to try cultured meat.