The impact of familiarity on consumer acceptance of entomophagy

: a Cross-cultural study of Mexico and Portugal

Abstract

The environmental impact of mainstream protein sources, such as meat, has driven the need for food innovation. Edible insects have emerged as a novel, sustainable, and nutritious alternative, offering a rich source of protein and essential amino acids while producing significantly lower carbon emissions and requiring less water during production. Despite these benefits, acceptance of edible insects remains low in many Western countries, contrasting sharply with higher acceptance in regions where entomophagy has been a long-standing tradition. This research seeks to explore the factors influencing acceptance of insect-based foods and how these factos differ between countries with and without a cultural history of entomophagy, focusing on Portugal and Mexico. The dissertation used exclusively quantitative methods, with data being collected through an online survey. The study populations were Portuguese and Mexican adults. Data was analysed using descriptives, frequencies, correlations and linear regression models. Results showed that nationality played a role in shaping familiarity with insect-based foods, with familiarity being higher in Mexico than Portugal. Increased familiarity, in turn, was associated with lower disgust towards insects and higher acceptance of entomophagy. There were also important gender differences, with males exhibiting lower disgust towards insects and higher acceptance of entomophagy than females in both countries. Also, lower food neophobia was linked to greater acceptance of insect-based foods. Finally, both Mexican and Portuguese consumers shared a preference for stealth over direct entomophagy, highlighting that the conspicuous integration of edible insects in foods is less appreciated that their use as processed ingredients.

Date of Award	27 Jan 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Ana Isabel de Almeida Costa (Supervisor)