Thai consumers’ buying decisions for alternative plant-based foods: A means–end chain qualitative study

The emergence and use of alternative proteins that seem to provide a sustainable solution to feeding the growing human population going into the future continue to gain momentum. However, there is not much research work on the safety of foods formulated using alternative proteins such as those of plant origin, aka plant-based foods. Therefore, this review discusses the safety issues of producing and processing plant-based foods. Special attention is paid to sub-Saharan Africa, where most of the impact of climate change is felt, resulting in poor crop yields and reduced ability for thriving livestock production to serve as food for human consumption. Thus, the adoption of alternative plant-based foods would be a good strategy to combat issues such as poor nutrition status that continue to be a plight to this region. There are safety concerns that relate to the introduction of alternative plant-based protein foods which need to be overcome for these foods to be adopted in many food systems. The following safety concerns pertaining to plant-based food production and processing were identified in the literature and are discussed in this work; the presence of allergens (from ingredients like soy, gluten, and nuts), anti-nutritional factors (such as saponins, alkaloids, and isoflavones), mycotoxins, potential contamination with pathogenic microorganisms (e.g., Salmonella spp., E. coli, Bacillus spp., Listeria spp., Clostridium sporogenes, and Geobacillus stearothermophilus), and the existence of potential carcinogens formed during processing (e.g., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, heterocyclic aromatic amines, and nitrosamines), among others. This review concludes by recommending a thorough risk assessment of plant-based protein foods to ensure wider successful adoption and use of plant-based alternative food and protein products in SSA.

PurposeThis paper aims to address the conceptual and practical challenges in integrating triple bottom line (TBL) sustainability in the agriculture supply chain (ASC). It identifies the key enablers for each of the three dimensions of TBL sustainability, analyses their causal relationships as well as cross-dimensional interactions under each TBL dimension. Further, it develops a decision support framework (DSF) for the assessment of TBL sustainability practices and policies in ASC and validates it through a case study.Design/methodology/approachAn interpretive structure modelling (ISM) methodology is deployed to establish the interrelationships among all TBL enablers and to identify the enablers with high driving power on sustainable ASC. Brainstorming by a group of experts was used to identify the relevant enables. Finally, a DSF was developed as a resultant of ISM.FindingsThe paper provides a set of enablers with high driving power that can significantly influence the sustainability practices and policies in ASC. The social enablers directly help to enhance the effect of economic enablers and collectively these enhance the effect of environmental enablers. If agriculture firms and supply chains design innovative policies and develop practices based on these enablers, they can achieve sustainable ASC. Consequently, the living standards of the people directly or indirectly associated with the agriculture firm or supply chain can be improved without compromising on economic performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper consolidates the fragmented knowledge of sustainable supply chain management in the agriculture sector and suggests a DSF to policymakers, managers and practitioners for assessing TBL sustainability practices and policies. The DSF has wide applicability in other sectors of production and operations management as these sectors also face the challenge of achieving TBL sustainability across their supply chain.Practical implicationsThe DSF, developed in the paper, is a useful tool for practitioners to frame and analyse sustainability initiatives and policies for ASC. A firm or supply chain may achieve TBL sustainability if it succeeds in uplifting the social status of its stakeholders.Social implicationsIt is a first step towards addressing the practical challenge of integrating sustainability in the agriculture sector of emerging economies and provides a path to improve the livelihood of people in the agriculture sector. Stakeholder engagement with a focus on collaboration and awareness may lead to the desired social and environmental consequences. Potential adverse social effects also need to be considered.Originality/valueThis paper focusses on the so far rather neglected but essential aspect of integrating TBL sustainability in the agriculture sector of emerging economies. The hierarchal representation and classification of the TBL sustainability enablers of sustainability is a unique effort in the field of ASC. Development of DSF is one of the first attempts to create a mapping between various enablers of TBL sustainability. The novelty of the study lies in the sector-specific, holistic evaluation of TBL sustainability policy measures that may lead to improvements in practice.

Blockchain technology has brought about profound revolutions in supply chain management. Notably, in the agricultural sector, blockchain-based traceability has become an essential tool to maintain the safety and quality of farm commodities. However, the implementation of blockchain technology in agricultural traceability is not prevalent. In this paper, mathematical modeling and simulation methods were used to investigate the decision making regarding the adoption of blockchain traceability in agriculture, which comprises producers, processors, and governments. This paper provides further analysis of the optimal blockchain-based traceability strategies of the members of the agricultural product supply chain in different scenarios. The results reveal the following: (1) Producers and processors should manage the traceability costs for adopting blockchains to improve their brand image and gain more benefits. (2) The government should encourage supply chain agents to participate in traceability by establishing an effective reward-and-punishment mechanism. In addition, the research will help agricultural supply chain agents to design strategies to implement traceability in agriculture and create a transparent and efficient data-driven agricultural products supply chain. Furthermore, these findings provide guidance to policymakers to develop policies to accelerate the implementation of blockchain-based traceability systems to guarantee fraud-free and sustainable agricultural supply chains.

Plant-based food alternatives have increased in popularity, particularly plant-based meat alternatives, while plant-based cheese alternatives less so. However, their acceptance remains low in Europe. Food choice motives (FCM) and trust towards alternative proteins may contribute to purchasing plant-based food alternatives, while other FCM and barriers can hinder this. The present study aimed to investigate whether FCM focused on “Environment & ethics” and “Intrinsic product quality” are associated with behavioural intentions towards plant-based meat and cheese alternatives, and specifically investigating the mediating role of perceived barriers to plant-based food consumption and trust towards plant-based alternative proteins. A survey was conducted in 10 European countries (AT, DE, DK, ES, FR, IT, NL, PL, RO, UK) with quotas on age and gender (N = 7588). Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to determine factors associated with behavioural intentions towards plant-based meat and cheese alternatives. Results showed that “environmental & ethical” motives are positively associated with intentions to consume plant-based alternatives to meat (in 6/10 countries) and cheese (in 8/10 countries). “Intrinsic product quality” motives were not directly associated with behavioural intentions towards plant-based meat alternatives. However, country differences were observed for effects of “Intrinsic product quality”. Perceived barriers to plant-based food consumption and trust towards plant-based alternative proteins play a significant mediating role among all 10 countries. The implications are that environmental and ethical motivations could contribute to effectively promoting plant-based alternatives to meat and dairy. High sensory quality for plant-based meat and cheese alternatives is needed to build trust.

For future foods, people are caring more and more about their health promoting properties and environmental friendliness. In this background, the plant-based foods, represented by ‘plant-based meat’, have attracted lots of attention worldwide. As the major source material of ‘plant-based meat’ production, the utilization of plant-based alternative protein has important influence on both the upstream and downstream food industry. In this paper, we firstly introduces the current application of plant-based alternative protein in producing ‘plant-based meat’, demonstrating the need for exploring new resources of plant-based protein. Secondly, we summarizes the preparation and manufacturing technologies of plant-based alternative proteins, emphasizing the research progress in reconstitution of plant protein into fibrous structure using high moisture extrusion and its underlying mechanism, and 3D printing of protein-based material. Finally, we summarizes the challenges and opportunities in the efficient utilization of plant-based alternative protein, providing references for the development of plant-based foods in the future.

With the rapid development of Internet of Things (IoT) technology, the digital transformation of the agricultural sector has gradually become a key means to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the supply chain. IoT technology helps to optimize agricultural production, logistics and supply chain management through real-time data collection, monitoring, and analysis. However, despite the huge potential brought by the application of IoT, the agricultural supply chain still faces challenges such as decentralized production, seasonality, and regionality. Coupled with the complexity of the agricultural supply chain network and the volatility of the agricultural market environment, the agricultural supply chain shows weak resistance to exogenous shocks. Based on the context of China’s agricultural supply chain, according to the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework, this paper applies the Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM)-Matrices Impacts Croises-Multiplication Appliance Classement (MICMAC) analysis method to construct a multilevel recursive structural model of the factors influencing the resilience of the agricultural supply chain and to excavate the deep-rooted influencing factors of the strength of the agricultural supply chain. The results indicate that among the factors influencing the resilience of China’s agricultural product supply chain, government policy support, supply chain structure, and infrastructure development are fundamental factors. These factors exert a strong driving effect on other elements and are less susceptible to influence from other factors. Therefore, government departments should formulate and implement policies conducive to the production, processing, and marketing of agricultural products, strengthen the construction of infrastructure, promote the application of digital technology and IoT in the farm supply chain, and improve the resilience of the agricultural supply chain.

The role of personal values in Chinese consumers’ food consumption decisions. A case study of healthy drinks

The conventional traceability system faces challenges such as centralized control, lack of transparency, unreliable data, and the frequent creation of information silos. To address these issues, this paper introduces a blockchain-based traceability system tailored for the storage and retrieval of product information in the agricultural supply chain. Utilizing blockchain's inherent properties of decentralization, immutability, and traceability, this system enhances the transparency and trustworthiness of traceability data. Furthermore, the integration of blockchain technology with cryptography is suggested to enable the secure exchange of private information within the blockchain network. Additionally, we have developed a reputation-based smart contract system to motivate network participants to contribute traceability data actively. This approach aims to leverage blockchain's capabilities to overcome the limitations of traditional traceability systems in the agricultural sector. This research paper explores the role of blockchain technology in enhancing supply chain transparency and efficiency, focused on food and agriculture sector. It underscores the growing consumer demand for authentic product and the challenges of maintaining transparency is increasingly becoming difficult in global and complex markets. Findings reveal that blockchain has significant capabilities to increases transparency, traceability, and security, while potentially reducing costs and errors. However, the study also identifies challenges, such as technological complexities, scalability issues, regulatory uncertainties, and integration hurdles. A strategic framework for adopting blockchain in retail supply chains is proposed, offering insights for practitioners and policy considerations. The paper also designs a novel traceability system for agricultural product supply chains, employing blockchain technology to address issues such as centralized management, opaque information, and data unreliability. The study concludes that while blockchain technology presents significant opportunities for transforming supply chains, realizing its full potential necessitates careful strategizing and sector-wide collaboration. The research offers recommendations for practitioners and outlines directions for future research, highlighting that the successful application of blockchain hinges on organizational adjustments and meeting specific boundary conditions.

Plant-based dietary shift: Current trends, barriers, and carriers

The agricultural sector is an important contributor to the Somali economy, providing employment opportunities and generating income for many small-scale farmers. Somalia has a largely agrarian economy, with agriculture accounting for more than 70% of the country's GDP and employing over 65% of the population. However, the sector faces significant challenges when it comes to agricultural supply chains, which can hinder its development and growth. This experiment was conducted in the Afgoye district of the lower Shabelle Region, Somalia in 2023. This study aims to explore the challenges and opportunities that agribusinesses face in Somalia's agricultural supply chains. It also discusses the importance of technology in improving supply chain efficiency and the role that government and other stakeholders can play in supporting agribusinesses. The paper also examines the potential impact of improved agricultural supply chains on the Somali economy and provides valuable insights for policymakers, investors, and development practitioners seeking to support and promote agribusiness. The methodology used in this study involved survey questions. The survey questions utilized for this study were distributed through key stakeholders in Somalia's agricultural supply chains, including farmers, wholesalers, retailers, and processors. 57.5% of the respondents in the research responded that investing in the agricultural sector is necessary and may improve the standard of life of the population. Ultimately, this paper highlights the importance of addressing the challenges facing agricultural supply chains in Somalia and unlocking the opportunities that exist for agribusinesses to contribute to the country's economic development.

In August 2022, the U.S. restaurant chain Cracker Barrel introduced a meatless sausage patty—the “Impossible Sausage”—to its breakfast menu. A viral social media backlash against the restaurant ensued. Using Fabio Parasecoli's theory of gastronativism as a theoretical lens, we perform a critical rhetorical analysis of online commentaries regarding Cracker Barrel's Impossible Sausage with an eye toward synecdochic representation. We contend that the online “culture war” that ensued within and beyond Cracker Barrel's social media pages is representative of plant-based meat alternatives’ gastropolitical resonance in U.S. American identity construction. Two synecdoches emerge through our analysis, the Cracker Barrel restaurant as right-wing sacred space embedded in “tradition” and the Impossible Sausage as a leftist, progressive, contagious intrusion into this space. Discourses of faux-Southern identity, right-wing appeals to traditional ways of life, and white masculine victimhood are entrenched in these synecdochic tropes. Understanding the Cracker Barrel's meatless menu debacle as a manifestation of gastronativist synecdoche demonstrates the ideological significance of meat and plant-based meat in contemporary U.S. political imaginaries. Given plant-based foods’ increasing popularity among health- and environmentally conscious consumers, rhetoricians concerned with the intersections of food, power, and identity should take note of how flesh (non)consumption symbolically (re)constructs U.S. American gastropolitical identities.

Would you buy vegan meatballs? The policy issues around vegan and meat-sounding labelling of plant-based meat alternatives

Ensuring the supply of affordable, palatable, healthy, and sustainable nutrients to feed the growing population without transgressing the planetary boundaries remains a key challenge in the food science community. A dietary transition toward low-emission, plant-based foods, with less reliance on animal agriculture, is advocated for sustainability, health, and ethical reasons. A major hurdle for mainstream adoption of plant-based foods is their poor sensorial performance, such as nonjuicy and astringent textures as well as various off-flavors. This review presents the current understanding of astringency and oral friction of plant-based foods. It focuses on plant proteins and their application in plant-based meat and dairy analogs. In addition, the latest advances in the quantitative characterization of astringency using tribology, electrochemistry, and cellular tools are covered. Finally, we examine factors influencing astringency and propose easy-to-implement colloidal strategies that may mitigate astringency issues, thereby underpinning the design of the next generation of sustainable and pleasurable plant-based foods.

Making meat and milk from plants: A review of plant-based food for human and planetary health

Information flow is a vital component of the supply chain that flows throughout the chain and involves all participants. In the era of globalization, companies are starting to change the way they communicate by applying technology. This has an impact on increasingly diverse transactions and processes, which can improve business performance through the application of ICT in the supply chain network. Previous research focuses on the relationship between the use of information technology and information exchange in the supply chain. Meanwhile, there are various types of ICT that have their respective impacts and benefits that need to be discussed simultaneously. The aim of this research is to identify the types and role of ICT in the agricultural product supply chain, and also studies of ICT application in the agricultural product supply chain. The research was conducted through a systematic literature review, using 23 literature sources. Based on the analysis results, the agricultural sector utilizes a wide range of ICT technologies, including blockchain, Internet of Things, wireless sensor networks, cloud computing, RFID, and machine learning. The use of ICT in the agricultural product supply chain has contributed to the increase in competitiveness and performance of the supply chain, through collecting accurate information in real-time and product tracking, facilitating the exchange of information between supply chain actors, increasing product value and supporting value creation, facilitate decision making, expand market access, increase efficiency and revenue. ICT in agricultural supply chains has been implemented in various countries, such as India, Senegal and Australia.