Sustainability Perception of Italian Consumers: Is it Possible to Replace Meat, and What Is the Best Alternative?

ABSTRACT: Growing worldwide food demand with its environmental impacts requires a reshaping of food consumption. This study aims to evaluate the degree of Italian consumers' awareness of sustainability and whether protein alternatives to meat could be accepted. A cross-sectional survey was carried out on a group of 815 respondents, representative of the Italian adult population for geography, gender, and age, using multivariate analysis together with cluster analysis. Lack of awareness of the consequences of food choices on the environment was found in 45% of respondents, and 51% reduced their consumption of meat. Typical foods of the Mediterranean diet (84% legumes 82% eggs, and 77% fish) were selected as the preferred sources of protein to replace meat, while insects and insect-based products were

SUBMITTER: Aureli V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10650016 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature