Despite shifts towards vegan and vegetarian diets in Western cultures, the demand for animal protein persists. It’s clear that at least some adoption of alternative feedstuffs will be required to nourish the growing world population without compromising on sustainability, but how will consumers respond to insect-fed chicken for example?

Researchers at the University of Göttingen and the University of Alberta, Canada. Specifically, the researchers looked at the effect of information regarding algae and insects in the food chain, with the results published in the journal Food Policy.

The researchers photographed chicken breasts from animals fed with spirulina (a type of algae) or insect meal and rendered the photos to imitate market-ready products. The chicken breast products were labelled with health or sustainability claims to further understand preference motivation for alternative feedstuffs.

Two groups of respondents (around 1000) then completed an online questionnaire, wher they were shown two different chicken breast products and asked which one they would purchase. One group received the information available on the package, such as labelling and price. The other group received additional information regarding the feedstuffs and the feedstuffs were also identified on each product. Information on feedstuffs proved to be an important factor in influencing consumer preferences. Because spirulina drastically alters the colour of the end product, the researchers say it is necessary to provide information to make these products marketable to consumers.

Surprisingly, the respondents liked the chicken breast reared with insect meal the most. However, when the feedstuff was identified, only sustainability-motivated consumers continued to prefer insects as a feedstuff. “Therefore, the incorporation of insects into feed for poultry should be conducted with full transparency for the end consumer and feedstuffs should be labelled in order to avoid future backlash or mistrust,” explained Dr Brianne Altmann, lead researcher. “However, the increased exposure through having these products available on the market will likely increase their acceptance.”

Although spirulina has a history of being used as a feedstuff in some cultures, it is currently cultivated as a health supplement and remains much more expensive than soybean meal. Insects on the other hand, have recently been certified for use in poultry feed in the European unio.

“One drawback within the current legislation hindering the sustainability is that insects for feed must be reared on certified feedstuffs, putting insect rearing in direct competition for the rearing of other poultry and livestock,” said Altmann. “In order to increase the uptake and sustainability of alternative feedstuffs, advances in production, such as growth in scale and the incorporation of waste products, are urgently needed.”