Insects as food Healthier and more environmentally friendly than meat

Insect food offers health and environmental benefits

What is a tradition in parts of Asia, Africa and Latin America causes many consumers in this country for skepticism and disgust: insects on the plate. But the little crawling and reptiles have the potential to solve many health and environmental problems. They provide a more sustainable method of producing animal protein, produce significantly less greenhouse gas emissions, and are significantly healthier than pigs, cattle, and the like. But for the big breakthrough, it is first necessary to overcome consumer anxiety.

Despite all its advantages, the consumption of insects in western countries is considered unattractive. A research team at the University of Bern was working on how to bring the insect closer to the consumer as a food. It showed that consumers tend to buy and eat insect-based treats when food is in the luxury segment. The study results have recently been published in the British Food Journal.

Insects as a meat substitute offer numerous benefits for health and climate. On the other hand, there is skepticism and disgust among consumers, which must first be overcome. Luxury products could be the appropriate entry here. (Image: catherinelprod / fotolia.com)

What are the benefits of insect-based foods??

"Insect-based foods have significant environmental and health benefits," researchers at the University of Bern write in a press release on the study's findings. The current food production accounts for 25 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions. The majority is caused by livestock. Here insects could contribute to a massive reduction. In addition, insects are much healthier than meat. Swiss researchers and politicians are now looking for solutions on how to make the consumption of insects more sociable.

Unloved climate saver

Are insects the better future food? "As a source of protein, insects have many health benefits and clearly outperform conventional meat in terms of greenhouse gas emissions," explains Sebastian Berger from the University of Bern. Insect-based foods could help combat climate change. On the other hand, however, speak at the time that many consumers are disgusted by the idea of ​​eating insects.

How to reduce skepticism about insects?

"However, since many people like to eat lobster or cancer - despite the insect-like appearance - it is possible that this negative attitude towards the consumption of insects could change," says Berger. His team and he see the luxury price segment as a good basis for the introduction of insect-based food. In the research, the researchers took advantage of a simple market rule: "If identical products have higher prices, consumers expect better quality," the experts write.

More acceptance at higher prices

At higher prices, consumers expect a higher quality. These expectations are also interrelated with the assessment of the product. In a series of consumpsychological experiments, the researchers were able to show that this principle can also be applied to insects as food. "Our research shows that high-priced insect products are not only rated better, but that these evaluations are also applied to other insect products for which no price information is available," summarizes Berger.

Prices generate effect

"High-priced products could therefore contribute to changing the attitude of consumers to eating insects," Berger says. Price reductions, which are generated for example by subsidies, could even have a negative effect on the expected product quality. The luxury price segment is the ideal market entry for insect-based foods, which in the long run could lead to more sustainable food production and a healthier diet. However, it will probably take some time before consumers know what to pay attention to when eating insects. (Vb)