Americans are twice as likely as Britons to say they would eat so-called cultured meat grown in a laboratory, according to an online survey of 1,000 consumers in both countries. Overall, 29 percent said they were willing to try the meat, with 60 percent of vegans saying they would try it, says Ingredient Communications.
The food-industry consultancy, based in London, commissioned the online survey. Managing director Richard Clarke said “we were surprised by how many respondents expressed a willingness to eat cultured meat. It’s such a new concept and when you consider the backlash against GMOs, and the unstoppable momentum of the naturalness trend, it seems counter-intuitive that people would be willing to eat meat produced in a laboratory.” Lab-grown meat may appeal to consumer concern about animal welfare and environmental protection, he said.
Some 40 percent of Americans said they would try cultured meat, compared to 18 percent of Britons. “The results suggest that cultured meat pioneers would be well advised to target the US market first,” said the consulting company. “In what was perhaps a surprising twist, vegan respondents were revealed as the consumer segment most likely to eat cultured meat, with 60 percent stating they would be willing to do so. The figure was lower for vegetarians (23 percent) and pescatarians (21 percent).”