Advancing sustainable food technologies and the eating experience: an international and generational perspective

Abstract

Concerns over the adverse environmental impacts of food production are driving a surge in the number of consumers seeking sustainable lifestyles These consumers are changing their diet and exploring alternative packaging options while emphasizing safety, quality, and affordability. Overall, this work aims to enhance our understanding of consumer behaviors and market trends when they select sustainable food choices and packaging solutions. A comprehensive perspective on consumer preferences, trends and technologies can guide industry and academia researchers on focusing their resources on meeting consumer expectations. This thesis is divided in two studies. The first study investigates the correlation between sustainable diet market growth and technological innovations, assessing consumer satisfaction and environmental impact. Sustainable diets have low environmental impact, protect biodiversity and ecosystems, and are nutritionally adequate, safe, healthy, culturally acceptable, and economically affordable. A survey (N=281) revealed that environmental (49%), ethical (33%), and health (44%) concerns are the primary drivers for adopting sustainable diets, with a 40% increase in eating pleasure noted among younger generations and vegetarians. This increase in pleasure is a result of the increasing variety of plant-based options now available in food stores. While some technologies replicate the meaty characteristics of minced products, developing whole-muscle meat analogs remain an unmet challenge. Despite advancements, industrial production of alternative proteins remains costly. The second study focuses on consumer perceptions and acceptance of edible coatings and biodegradable packaging, examining factors influencing consumer willingness to adopt these technologies. In a survey of 441 participants, responses were analyzed across different demographic groups using statistical tests. Consumers prioritize food quality (95%), price (83%), and nutritional value (74%), with willingness to pay extra for alternatives varying by generation and location. Younger consumers show openness to these packaging technologies, particularly to the use of edible coatings and nanoparticles, citing environmental, health, and shelf-life benefits. However, concerns include aversion to new technologies and health risks. Biodegradable packaging is widely accepted but faces challenges related to cost and product quality impact. Surveys proved valuable for exploring individual eating experiences and identifying shared characteristics among subgroups. By incorporating qualitative and quantitative questions, surveys enriched the analysis and increased research reliability. Considering international and generational perspectives on sustainable diets and waste management offers insights into shifting societal attitudes and behaviors. Academia, industry and government must develop effective communications with consumers to describe the benefits of packaging solutions to protect the safety, quality, and shelf life of foods. Equally important is to communicate the ecological, social, and economic advantages of sustainable diets. Effective communications are essential when introducing to the market new technologies and new products. This study showed that when consumers are aware of their benefits their acceptance is enhanced. The end result is the consumer adoption of a lifestyle that incorporates sustainable food delivery solutions.