The most recent Michigan State University Food Literacy and Engagement Poll, conducted in September, reveals that Americans younger than age 40 are more receptive to trying new food products, such as plant-based meats and insect protein, than those 40 and older.

"The food landscape is changing rapidly,” says Sheril Kirshenbaum, co-director of the poll. "Willingness to adopt new alternatives to traditional agricultural products varies tremendously across age groups, and public acceptance of these emerging technologies will determine winners and losers in the international marketplace.”

The poll surveyed more than 2,100 Americans on a variety of emerging food technologies and options, including:

“The results of this poll represent another step in gaining a better appreciation of the state of things in the consumer community,” says Doug Buhler, co-director of the MSU Food Literacy and Engagement Poll. “As part of the older demographic, I find the age response particularly interesting. This provides yet more evidence that we are just at the beginning of changes in consumer behavior.” 

By 2050, it’s estimated that there will be more than 9 billion people on Earth — about 1.3 billion more than there are now — and food production will need to nearly double to meet anticipated demand. Emerging technologies and innovations in food can help feed our growing world population with fewer resources in more extreme environments. 

Plant-based meats

Plant-based meats, such as the Impossible Burger or Beyond Meat, have been engineered to taste like meat but lack animal tissue. According to the MSU Food Literacy and Engagement Poll:

Of consumers already eating plant-based meat, 48% are younger than 40 years old, while 27% are older than 40.

Cell-cultured meats

Cell-cultured meats are on the verge of becoming commercially available, but the MSU Food Literacy and Engagement Poll suggests that Americans aren’t as eager to try them as they are to try plant-based meats.

Often referred to as a more humane option, these proteins, or “artificial meats,” are grown from animal cells without needing to involve a fully-grown animal in the process.

According to the poll, 35% of American consumers say they are likely to buy cell-cultured meats.

The poll found that 49% of these consumers are younger than 40 years old, and 25% are 40 and older. 

Insects

Two billion people around the globe already eat insects, but the practice is uncommon in the U.S. The MSU Food Literacy and Engagement Poll found that:

Meal kits

Meal kits, such as those from BlueApron, HelloFresh and other similar companies, have exploded in the marketplace as a readily available and quick way to prepare meals. According to the MSU Food Literacy and Engagement Poll:

The top reason why people purchase meal kits is convenience. The most common reason for not using them is consumers’ desire to choose their own ingredients.

GMOs

The MSU Food Literacy and Engagement Poll found that 47% of Americans think that they rarely or never consume GMOs or don’t know how often they do so. The poll found that 55% of respondents younger than 40 years old recognize that they consume GMOs daily or once a week, compared with 32% of those age 40 and older.

Data from the MSU Food Literacy and Engagement Poll were weighted using U.S. Census Bureau figures to ensure that the sample's composition reflects the actual U.S. population. Launched in 2017, the poll was developed by Food@MSU and is supported by MSU AgBioResearch.

The survey, conducted twice per year, is intended to provide an objective, authoritative look at consumer attitudes and perspectives on key food issues. It is designed to help inform national discussion, business planning and policy development.

Source: Michigan State University, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.