What do consumers think about lab-grown meat?

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Consumers prefer conventionally grown meats versus lab-grown meats, according to Purdue University’s March Consumer Food Insights Report.

“Given the fact that cell-cultured meat is not widely available, these results reflect consumer distrust of the unknown when it comes to food, which is a barrier for any novel food trying to break into the market,” said Joseph Balagtas, professor of agricultural economics at Purdue.

Around two-thirds of meat eaters surveyed were willing to try lab-grown meat, and one-third said they would be unwilling to do so.

The reason why they aren’t interested? They don’t think it will be as tasty or healthy, the report shows.

Most of the respondents haven’t tried lab-grown meat.

“A year ago, two companies, after receiving approval from federal food regulators, started producing and selling cell-cultured chicken,” Balagtas said.

“Cell-cultured meat is grown from animal cells in a process that doesn’t require the slaughter of animals.”

To learn more about the report, visit https://tinyurl.com/2x2mb2x6.