Italian consumers standing at the crossroads of alternative protein sources: Cultivated meat, insect-based and novel plant-based foods

Novel plant-based foods and edible insects are emerging as the most viable alternatives for protein sources in Italy.

• Consumer acceptance of novel protein sources varies significantly by product type.
• Plant-based products and edible insects are more appealing to vegetarians and vegans compared to other options.
• Cultivated meat is viewed as a potential substitute for conventional meat but faces hesitation from certain consumer segments.
• Intrinsic characteristics of novel protein sources still require wider acceptance among consumers.
• Barriers related to institutions, technology, and culture need to be addressed for cultivated meat to enter the Italian market.

AI simplified