Gradual Provision of Live Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae to Older Laying Hens: Effect on Production Performance, Egg Quality, Feather Condition and Behavior. The effect of communication and implicit associations on consuming insects: An experiment in Denmark and Italy. The authors declare no conflict of interest. showed that Spanish consumers were more likely to purchase insect-fed fish at a premium price. In contrast with the aforementioned studies, Ferrer Llagostera et al. This result was further confirmed by the study of Ankamah-Yeboah, Jacobsen, and Olsen, showing that Danish consumers had greater intentions to purchase insect-fed fish at a lower price. Similar results were shown by Popoff, MacLeod, and Leschen, confirming that although UK consumers considered quality important, they were not willing to pay more for insect-fed salmon. According to Bazoche and Poret, French consumers were not willing to pay a premium price for insect-fed trout.

Price also appeared to be an important factor in other studies. Conversely, Mancuso, Baldi, and Gasco suggested safety requirements and price as the main factors affecting acceptance of insect-fed fish among Italian consumers.

Given this emerging area of research, this study contributes to the limited literature on insect-fed foodstuffs and paves the way for further research on the topic.Īmong determinants of consumer acceptance, the study of Popoff, MacLeod, and Leschen showed that among UK consumers, nutritional content and taste of insect-fed salmon were more important than price. Therefore, the study suggests that educating and informing consumers about the benefits of feeding hens with insects may increase intentions to consume and purchase eggs from insect-fed hens. Results also indicated price and disgust towards insects as feed were the main barriers, while enhanced welfare standards (e.g., free-range labelling) and information on benefits were main drivers. Results showed that the environmental, animal welfare, and food waste benefits of feeding hens with insects positively influenced attitudes. Three focus group discussions were employed with a total of 19 individuals from the UK.

This qualitative study aimed to explore consumers’ attitudes and perceptions towards eggs from insect-fed hens and factors influencing intentions to consume and purchase the product. Although some studies have investigated consumer acceptance and intentions towards insect-fed foodstuffs, no studies are available on eggs from insect-fed hens. In recent years, there has been growing interest in insects as an alternative to soybean meal as laying hen feed due to nutrition, sustainability, and animal welfare benefits.

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