Consumer Perception and Acceptability of Plant-Based Alternatives to Chicken

Consumer Expectations for Cream Cheese: A Category Appraisal Study in the United Kingdom with Dairy and Plant-Based Variants in Various Flavours

The purpose of the present research was to deliver new knowledge of consumer expectations for plant-based (PB) alternatives to cream cheese (PBCCA) by conducting a category appraisal study. Around 1100 consumers from the United Kingdom (UK) who followed omnivore and flexitarian diets participated in an online survey. They evaluated 13 written stimuli presented as product names encompassing dairy cream cheese and PBCCAs in different flavours (original/natural, garlic/herb, salmon, strawberry, chocolate) and different product formulations (low-fat, lactose-free). A multi-response approach was used that obtained sensory, emotional, conceptual, and versatility product evaluations. The research findings, which matched predictions, showed: (1) negative product expectations for PBCCAs replicated across flavour variants, providing evidence of a systematic PB effect relative to cream cheese; (2) sensory and non-sensory drivers of expected product liking resembled those established for the cream cheese category with actual product experience; (3) sensory and non-sensory drivers of expected product versatility strongly resembled those of expected product liking; (4) groups of consumers existed with different preferences, including flavour and product type preferences (dairy, PBCCA); and (5) negative product expectations for PBCCAs translated to a stated behavioural preference for cream cheese over PBCCA, and dairy-based samples were chosen over their PB counterparts regardless of flavour. The category appraisal approach confirmed the systematic negative appeal of PBCCAs relative to their dairy counterparts. This was in line with findings from past research on other PB alternative foods and invites a rethinking of the appeal of this class of products to participants in this research, who represent a large segment of UK consumers.

Physicochemical and sensory characterization of raw tuna muscle for plant-based fish analogs development purposes

Plant-based fish analogs are in trend for their potential to reduce overfishing and for providing enriched dietary options. Tuna is popular for raw food applications, especially the bluefin species group (Thunnus thynnus, T. orientalis and T. maccoyii) and yellowfin (T. albacares). The objective was to characterize the raw muscle of these species, identifying the most important traits and providing reference values for the development of plant-based analogs. Key factors to mimic in raw fish analogs include achieving a protein content of 25 %, emphasizing omega-3 DHA, and incorporating essential micronutrients. Visual attributes, such as color, translucency, and macrostructural aspects must be meticulously replicated. Additionally, capturing the subtle, delicate taste and aroma and replicating instrumental texture measurements are crucial yet challenging. This study highlights the importance of balancing nutrition, taste, texture, and visual appeal together to achieve consumer satisfaction, provides reference values, and establishes a pathway for developing plant-based raw tuna analogs.

Current challenges of alternative proteins as future foods

Global demand for food is expected to nearly double by 2050. Alternative proteins (AP) have been proposed as a sustainable solution to provide food security as natural resources become more depleted. However, the growth and consumer intake of AP remains limited. This review aims to better understand the challenges and environmental impacts of four main AP categories: plant-based, insect-based, microbe-derived, and cultured meat and seafood. The environmental benefits of plant-based and insect-based proteins have been documented but the impacts of microbe-derived proteins and cultured meat have not been fully assessed. The development of alternative products with nutritional and sensory profiles similar to their conventional counterparts remains highly challenging. Furthermore, incomplete safety assessments and a lack of clear regulatory guidelines confuse the food industry and hamper progress. Much still needs to be done to fully support AP utilization within the context of supporting the drive to make the global food system sustainable.

Profiling the novel plant-based meat alternative category: Consumer affective and sensory response in the context of perceived similarity to meat

Plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) are increasingly popular and may contribute towards reduction of negative environmental impacts associated with the meat industry. Inferior sensory characteristics of PBMAs, compared to conventional meat products, remain a barrier for uptake of these products. This study aimed to profile a wide range of PBMAs for perceived similarity to meat, consumer liking, emotional response and sensory experience, and to determine consumer drivers of liking for this product category. Twenty-one PBMAs, spanning a broad range of product types (burger patties, sausages, meatball alternatives, chicken/beef pieces, bacon alternative, turkey roast alternative) and main protein ingredients (extruded plant proteins, tofu, or legumes/vegetables) representative of PBMAs available to Aotearoa New Zealand consumers, were tasted and evaluated by 140 Aotearoa New Zealand residents. Samples ranged widely in their perceived similarity to meat (median value range: 1.0-4.0 on a 5-point-scale) and overall liking ratings (mean ± SD, range: 35.1 ± 1.2--77.7 ± 17.4 on a 100-point hedonic scale). Overall liking ratings were driven mostly by liking for flavour, followed by texture, and less so by appearance. Sensorially, sample differentiation was mostly associated with variation in meat-related flavours and textures, or vegetable-related attributes. Notably meat flavour was the main driver of liking, and a very strong relationship (r = 0.92) was observed between perceived similarity to meat and overall sample liking ratings. Meat-like samples were also associated with positive emotional terms, whereas samples made from wholefoods were associated with negative emotional terms. Textural terms ('gluey/slimy', 'pasty/doughy') associated with wholefood products were also negative drivers for liking, and should be avoided in future PBMA products. In conclusion, the general population maintains a strong preference for PBMAs that are similar to meat, validating ongoing efforts to improve the meat-like properties of new and emerging products. PBMAs made from wholefoods require extensive product development to achieve consumer satisfaction across the category.

Investigation into the Sensory Properties of Plant-Based Eggs, as Well as Acceptance, Emotional Response, and Use

Consumers have become interested in plant-based alternatives to animal-based products. One of the under-studied alternatives is plant-based eggs (PBEs). This research investigated PBEs relative to conventional eggs and tofu scramble-another plant-based alternative. Firstly, participants (n = 93) completed a word association task asking them about PBEs. Participants then evaluated the different food samples using hedonic scales, check-all-that-apply (CATA), and temporal check-all-that-apply (TCATA), as well as identified their emotional response and proposed use for PBEs. Participants were interested in plant-based alternatives, including PBEs, but they were concerned about the sensory properties. When they evaluated the different samples, the flavour and texture of the PBEs were disliked in comparison to the eggs. This result may be due to the beany, bitterness, and off-flavour attributes associated with the PBEs. Participants also associated the PBEs with negative emotions. The liking of tofu scramble was not significantly different from the eggs, and the eggs and tofu scramble were mainly associated with positive emotions. During the TCATA evaluation, the participants focused on the flavour attributes of PBEs, while their evaluation of the eggs was dominated by the textural attributes. Whether following a plant-based diet or not, consumers are interested in PBEs, but the sensory properties of PBEs need to be improved before they are willing to adopt them into their diet. This study is one of the first to evaluate the sensory properties of PBEs, as well as consumers' emotional response to them and their attitudes about PBEs.

Novel animal product substitutes: A new category of plant-based alternatives to meat, seafood, egg, and dairy products

Many consumers are adopting plant-centric diets to address the adverse effects of livestock production on the environment, health, and animal welfare. Processed plant-based foods, including animal product analogs (such as meat, seafood, egg, or dairy analogs) and traditional animal product substitutes (such as tofu, seitan, or tempeh), may not be desirable to a broad spectrum of consumers. This article introduces a new category of plant-based foods specifically designed to overcome the limitations of current animal product analogs and substitutes: novel animal product substitutes (NAPS). NAPS are designed to contain high levels of nutrients to be encouraged (such as proteins, omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fibers, vitamins, and minerals) and low levels of nutrients to be discouraged (such as salt, sugar, and saturated fat). Moreover, they may be designed to have a wide range of appearances, textures, mouthfeels, and flavors. For instance, they could be red, orange, green, yellow, blue, or beige; they could be spheres, ovals, cubes, or pyramids; they could be hard/soft or brittle/pliable; and they could be lemon, thyme, curry, or chili flavored. Consequently, there is great flexibility in creating NAPS that could be eaten in situations where animal products are normally consumed, for example, with pasta, rice, potatoes, bread, soups, or salads. This article reviews the science behind the formulation of NAPS, highlights factors impacting their appearance, texture, flavor, and nutritional profile, and discusses methods that can be used to formulate, produce, and characterize them. Finally, it stresses the need for further studies on this new category of foods, especially on their sensory and consumer aspects.

Dairy, Plant, and Novel Proteins: Scientific and Technological Aspects

Alternative proteins have gained popularity as consumers look for foods that are healthy, nutritious, and sustainable. Plant proteins, precision fermentation-derived proteins, cell-cultured proteins, algal proteins, and mycoproteins are the major types of alternative proteins that have emerged in recent years. This review addresses the major alternative-protein categories and reviews their definitions, current market statuses, production methods, and regulations in different countries, safety assessments, nutrition statuses, functionalities and applications, and, finally, sensory properties and consumer perception. Knowledge relative to traditional dairy proteins is also addressed. Opportunities and challenges associated with these proteins are also discussed. Future research directions are proposed to better understand these technologies and to develop consumer-acceptable final products.

Sensory Evaluation of Plant-Based Meat: Bridging the Gap with Animal Meat, Challenges and Future Prospects

Globally, the demand for plant-based meat is increasing rapidly as these products are becoming quite popular among vegans and vegetarians. However, its development is still in the early stage and faces various technological challenges; the imitation of the sensory profile of meat is the most challenging part as these products are meant to be an alternative to animal meat. The development of a product similar to meat requires accurate selection of ingredients and processing techniques. An understanding of the relevant sensory profile can help in constructing products and technologies that are consumer-centric and sustainable. In this review, we focus on the comparative differences in the sensory profiles of animal meat and plant-based meat alternatives, particularly regarding the color, texture, and flavor, along with the methods used to compare them. This paper also explains the sensory evaluation and how it affects consumer preference and acceptability. Additionally, a direction for further research on developing better plant-based meat products is suggested.

Novel plant-based meat alternatives: future opportunities and health considerations

Present food systems threaten population and environmental health. Evidence suggests reduced meat and increased plant-based food consumption would align with climate change and health promotion priorities. Accelerating this transition requires greater understanding of determinants of plant-based food choice. A thriving plant-based food industry has emerged to meet consumer demand and support dietary shift towards plant-based eating. 'Traditional' plant-based diets are low-energy density, nutrient dense, low in saturated fat and purportedly associated with health benefits. However, fast-paced contemporary lifestyles continue to fuel growing demand for meat-mimicking plant-based convenience foods which are typically ultra-processed. Processing can improve product safety and palatability and enable fortification and enrichment. However, deleterious health consequences have been associated with ultra-processing, though there is a paucity of equivocal evidence regarding the health value of novel plant-based meat alternatives (PBMAs) and their capacity to replicate the nutritional profile of meat-equivalents. Thus, despite the health halo often associated with plant-based eating, there is a strong rationale to improve consumer literacy of PBMAs. Understanding the impact of extensive processing on health effects may help to justify the use of innovative methods designed to maintain health benefits associated with particular foods and ingredients. Furthering knowledge regarding the nutritional value of novel PBMAs will increase consumer awareness and thus support informed choice. Finally, knowledge of factors influencing engagement of target consumer subgroups with such products may facilitate production of desirable, healthier PBMAs. Such evidence-based food manufacturing practice has the potential to positively influence future individual and planetary health.

Significance of Fermentation in Plant-Based Meat Analogs: A Critical Review of Nutrition, and Safety-Related Aspects

Plant-based meat analogs have been shown to cause less harm for both human health and the environment compared to real meat, especially processed meat. However, the intense pressure to enhance the sensory qualities of plant-based meat alternatives has caused their nutritional and safety aspects to be overlooked. This paper reviews our current understanding of the nutrition and safety behind plant-based meat alternatives, proposing fermentation as a potential way of overcoming limitations in these aspects. Plant protein blends, fortification, and preservatives have been the main methods for enhancing the nutritional content and stability of plant-based meat alternatives, but concerns that include safety, nutrient deficiencies, low digestibility, high allergenicity, and high costs have been raised in their use. Fermentation with microorganisms such as Bacillus subtilis, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Neurospora intermedia, and Rhizopus oryzae improves digestibility and reduces allergenicity and antinutritive factors more effectively. At the same time, microbial metabolites can boost the final product's safety, nutrition, and sensory quality, although some concerns regarding their toxicity remain. Designing a single starter culture or microbial consortium for plant-based meat alternatives can be a novel solution for advancing the health benefits of the final product while still fulfilling the demands of an expanding and sustainable economy.

A Prospective Review of the Sensory Properties of Plant-Based Dairy and Meat Alternatives with a Focus on Texture

Consumers are interested in plant-based alternatives (PBAs) to dairy and meat products, and as such, the food industry is responding by developing a variety of different plant-based food items. For these products to be successful, their textural properties must be acceptable to consumers. These textural properties need to be thoroughly investigated using different sensory methodologies to ensure consumer satisfaction. This review paper aims to summarize the various textural properties of PBAs, as well as to discuss the sensory methodologies that can be used in future studies of PBAs. PBAs to meat have been formulated using a variety of production technologies, but these products still have textural properties that differ from animal-based products. Most dairy and meat alternatives attempt to mimic their conventional counterparts, yet sensory trials rarely compare the PBAs to their meat or dairy counterparts. While most studies rely on consumers to investigate the acceptability of their products' textural properties, future studies should include dynamic sensory methodologies, and attribute diagnostics questions to help product developers characterize the key sensory properties of their products. Studies should also indicate whether the product is meant to mimic a conventional product and should define the target consumer segment (ex. flexitarian, vegan) for the product. The importance of textural properties to PBAs is repeatedly mentioned in the literature and thus should be thoroughly investigated using robust sensory methodologies.

Antioxidant and Sensorial Properties: Meat Analogues versus Conventional Meat Products

Meat-product alternatives have become more popular among consumers, mainly due to concern for animal welfare and demand for more eco-friendly production. This study focused on the comparison between the antioxidant capacities of selected types of meat products and those of their plant-based alternatives. The analogues of the following products were analyzed: minced meat, burger, steak, Hungarian sausages, Frankfurter sausages and salami. Total polyphenol contents and antioxidant capacities and sensory profiles of the products were determined. The highest polyphenol content (1.85 mg Gallic acid/g) and antioxidant capacity values (DPPH: 41.80% inhibition, CUPRAC: 9.21 Trolox mmol/kg, FRAP: 7.51 mmol/g, ABTS: 7.45% inhibition) were observed in the analogue samples of Hungarian sausages due to the oat flour presence in these products. The results indicated that antioxidant properties of meat analogue products (plant sources) were superior compared to conventional meat products (produced from animal sources). The sensorial attributes indicated no significant (p > 0.05) differences in taste (except the Frankfurter sausages). The novelty of the study can be seen in the fact that it confirmed that the sensory properties of meat analogue products can be close to those of traditional meat products.