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The growing demand for meat and animal products in emerging economies has become a concern given its environmental and health impacts. The sustainable diets approach has emerged to address the multidimensional challenge of reaching a context-based diet that minimizes negative environmental impacts, provides health and nutrition to all segments of t...
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... for the health dimension allowed a comparison among the nutritional contributions of the four protein alternatives analyzed, considering the average annual per capita consumption [28,40]. Table 3 summarizes the nutritional values of each alternative based on the Colombian Food Composition Table [41] and the Energy and Nutrient Recommendations of the Ministry of Health for Colombian men and women with an average weight of 60 to 70 kg, between 18 and 59 years old, and with a low/moderate level of physical activity [42]. Table 1 presents the statistical analysis of the nutrient values for each product. ...Context 2
... for the health dimension allowed a comparison among the nutritional contributions of the four protein alternatives analyzed, considering the average annual per capita consumption [28,40]. Table 3 summarizes the nutritional values of each alternative based on the Colombian Food Composition Table [41] and the Energy and Nutrient Recommendations of the Ministry of Health for Colombian men and women with an average weight of 60 to 70 kg, between 18 and 59 years old, and with a low/moderate level of physical activity [42]. Table 1 presents the statistical analysis of the nutrient values for each product. ...Citations
... A growing middle class and associated higher household incomes have increased the preference for meat as a protein source, with many consumers considering it a superior choice to other protein sources. In many countries, meat is not only a food, but also a symbol of well-being and a fundamental pillar of nutrition and health (Cervantes et al., 2016;Blanco-Murcia and Ramos-Mejía, 2019). Globally, poultry is the meat consumed in largest quantities, accounting for 40% of the total meat consumption, closely followed by pork (34%), beef (21%), and sheep and goat (5%) (Statista, 2023). ...
Beef production is a major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and has therefore been placed at the center of global policy and research agendas on climate change mitigation and adaptation. However, detailed quantification of the intensity of beef’s contribution to emissions has mostly focused on the farm level. This research uses the calculation of a food miles emissions indicator to analyze the Colombian beef supply network from slaughterhouses to national consumption centers and its emissions between 2019 and 2022, including a network analysis and weighted average source distance (WASD) estimation. The results were compared with emissions from the transport of alternative animal proteins, specifically chicken and pork. The results show that the beef miles emissions indicator in Colombia is equivalent to 0.055330 kg CO2eq/ton of beef/km, which is higher than pork and chicken. These findings highlight the need to develop comprehensive approaches and strategies to reduce emissions from beef production, recognizing the critical role that the beef supply network, transport distances, infrastructure, and technology play in beef-related emissions.
... Particularly, most of the Colombian consumers agree on the association between meat production and environmental pollution, a fact that coincides with studies such as those by Blanco-Murcia and Ramos-Mejía [45] and WWF and Sancho [33], where consumers closest to meat production areas were more sensitive to this fact and, consequently, tended to reduce their meat consumption to once a week on average. ...
Motivated by the evolving global food landscape and its detrimental impacts on society, the environment, and health, this research aims to understand consumer perceptions, preferences and involvement regarding sustainable food products and consumption practices. To this aim, three countries were chosen for their distinct economic, cultural, and demographic differences (Spain, Türkiye, and Colombia), enabling an exploration of how these factors influence sustainability perceptions. The results show high levels of awareness, knowledge, consumption, and willingness to switch to more sustainable habits, although differences between countries were also found (price sensitivity in Spain and demand for information regarding sustainable food in Colombia). In addition , a group of consumers has been identified that is influenced by health, shows positive behaviours and perceptions towards sustainable food, and is not price sensitive. The study is significant, as it addresses the information gap between consumers, producers, and policymakers regarding sustainable food awareness. It seeks to provide insights into cultural influences on sustainability perceptions and aims to assist in developing educational programs and policies to promote sustainable consumption.
... What takes place is the variance in the sources used to compose diets; low-cost protein sources have taken the place of beef [52]. The literature supports the Brazilian and Turkish findings, which demonstrate that when economic issues impact emerging economies, the type of protein consumption alters [41,53,54]. ...
This cross-cultural study aimed to determine the main factors behind potential changes in eating habits by analyzing changes in the patterns of beef consumption currently observed in Brazil, Spain, and Turkey. To achieve this aim, 412 regular beef consumers from Brazil, 407 from Spain, and 424 from Turkey answered a self-administered questionnaire. The study surveyed the effects of economic factors, switching from beef to other sources of protein, aspects of credence, health-related concerns, the influence of lifestyle on beef consumption patterns, and purchasing decision factors. The most important factors that changed consumer behavior and resulted in a decrease in consumption, mostly among Brazilian and Turkish consumers, were the economics and accessibility of the products. Beef was replaced by other alternative sources of protein that were likewise derived from animals. The consumers whose purchasing intentions were most significantly influenced by credence factors (e.g., indiscriminate use of agricultural products, substandard animal welfare requirements, among others) were Brazilian and Turkish and, to a lesser degree, Spanish consumers. Lifestyle factors (e.g., consumption of out-of-home meals, available time to cook, among others) were demonstrated to alter consumption patterns and therefore must be carefully considered by the industry, taking into account cultural differences and consumer needs. The population under investigation considered that eating beef had no impact on their health.
... Given that varied types of diet modes have different impacts of health and environment [17], there exist evaluation studies on diets in Vietnam and Kenya [18], the Mediterranean Diet [19] and the New Nordic Diet [20]. Meat consumption reduction [21], increased intake of plant-originated foods [22] and supply of nutrition fortification foods [23] were found more sustainable healthy diets. Although previous studies referred to meat consumption reduction as a sustainable healthy diet, further measures, especially combing this reduction with a balanced diet, were not yet mentioned, so studies on FOP labeling are expected to bridge this gap. ...
Front of Package (FOP) labeling, which assists consumers in understanding the nutritional status of fresh pork, could help reduce Chinese residents’ excessive meat intake and greenhouse gas emissions. Nevertheless, little is known about the price elasticity of consumers’ demand for the FOP labeling on fresh pork. This study implemented a contingent valuation survey by using a representative survey of 930 adults across China. The results indicated that respondents’ demand for FOP labeling applied to fresh pork was price inelastic (−0.209). Moreover, there existed significant population heterogeneity in the price elasticity of demand. Specifically, WTP increased for the urban population and those who paid regular attention to pork’s nutritional value. Overall, Chinese consumers had rigid demand for FOP labeling on fresh pork, and policy makers should pay close attention to consumer reactions to the price of FOP labeling and promote this application on fresh pork.
... Recent studies [57,58] reinforced the role of dietary shifts towards less meat consumption in public policy. However, the psychological distance was not a critical preventive factor in food adoption in emerging economies [59,60]. In this sense, the current study extends the previous evidence by applying CLT to food behaviour change decisions. ...
Sustainable diets are patterns that change consumer behaviour towards more balanced and plant-based habits. This study investigates the effect of individuals’ predisposition to adopt sustainable diets while reducing meat intake by measuring their psychological proximity to meat. Using an online consumer-based platform, a cross-sectional survey collected responses from 497 individuals. Questionnaire items included 43 questions prospected from the literature, coded as practical and essential barriers and measured on a modified 7-point Likert scale. The results showed some paradoxes, as a high predisposition to adopt a sustainable diet coexists with a high predisposition to consume animal-based proteins. The main perceived barrier to adopting a plant-based diet was the enjoyment of eating meat, followed by the lack of information about plant-based diets. Barriers related to meat alternatives remained the highest above all the others. It confirms that, for local consumers, meat remains a usual option and is easier to prepare. When investigating the moderating effect of barriers on the predisposition to behaviours towards meat intake reduction, no effect was confirmed. However, we found a U-shaped moderating effect for plant-based meal increase, confirming the psychological proximity of the meat consumption effects under the lens of the Construal Level Theory and Transtheoretical Model. These findings call for further research on the effectiveness of measuring psychological barriers related to sustainable diet adoption.
... The three dimensions of sustainability are: social (e.g., nutrition), environmental, and economic. Many studies including the recent EAT-Lancet commission's report on sustainable food systems showed that in order to feed healthy and nutritious diets to a projected 9 billion people by 2050 and at the same time not transgressing the environmental planetary boundaries, meat consumption needs to be reduced especially in high-income nations and replaced with plant-based foods [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. In particular, the high carbon footprint of beef products has received a lot of scientific and media attention over the past decade, as a major contributor to dietary carbon footprints, and to agricultural greenhouse gas emissions as a whole [8,9]. ...
... Nutritional and environmental benefits of lentil reformulated burger might not be sufficient for its widespread adoption because cost is perceived as a major factor for many consumers [6,49]. However, the price of lean ground beef and raw lentils in Canada is 5.79 US$ per kg and 3.41 US$ per kg respectively, meaning that the cost per serving (115 g) of regular and reformulated beef burgers is 0.65$ and 0.48$ respectively. ...
Numerous studies have shown that replacing a portion of beef with plant-based foods in daily diets of high-income nations can improve health, nutrition, and environmental consequences globally. Pulses are one of the major plant-based protein foods shown to have both environmental and nutritional benefits. For consumers to adopt more plant-based foods in their diets, more options are needed that meet consumer demands for taste, convenience, nutrition, and sustainability along with dietary preferences. Beef-based burger patties can be made more sustainably, nutritiously, and cost-effectively while maintaining palatability by reformulating with a portion of pulses such as whole cooked lentils. The aim of this study was to quantify the nutritional and environmental benefits of such lentil-reformulated beef burgers. Here we compared the nutrient balance score (considering 27 essential macro and micronutrients) and environmental footprints (carbon, bluewater, water scarcity, land use, and biodiversity) of an all-beef burger with a beef burger reformulated with a portion of cooked lentil puree. The geographic resolution of the analysis was Saskatchewan, Canada. Results showed that partial replacement of a lean beef burger with cooked lentil puree increased the nutrient density by ~20%, decreased the life cycle environmental footprint by ~33%, and reduced the cost by 26%. In particular, the lentil reformulated burger had 60 times higher dietary fiber, three times higher total folate, five times higher manganese, and 1.6 times higher selenium than the all-beef burger. We highlight the importance of using high-spatial resolution inventory of agricultural inputs and characterization factors (impacts per unit agricultural inputs) to obtain more accurate environmental results. The results underscore the potential of food innovation to contribute towards multiple global sustainable development goals.
High meat consumption places a heavy burden on the environment. This study aimed to highlight the practices of Turkish consumers in consuming red meat and to understand their attitudes toward in vitro meat (IVM). The relationships between red meat consumption rationalization, attitudes toward IVM, and intentions to consume IVM were examined for Turkish consumers. It was found that Turkish consumers' attitudes toward IVM were averse. Even if the respondents considered IVM a viable alternative to conventional meat, they did not consider it ethical, natural, healthy, tasty, or safe. Additionally, Turkish consumers did not evince interest in regular consumption or intention to try IVM. Although various studies have focused on consumers' attitudes toward IVM in developed economies, the current study is the first attempt to understand the phenomenon in the Turkish market as an emerging economy. These results provide important information for researchers and stakeholders in the meat sector, such as manufacturers and processors.
The study of sustainable food consumption is key in the transformation of current unsustainable food systems. We explore the tensions that emerge between individual motives and sustainability spheres when making food consumption choices in a university community in Bogotá, Colombia. This complex phenomenon is addressed through a qualitative methodology based on observations, visual diaries, and a game-based protocol, which allow us to delve into food consumption motives while trying to avoid social desirability bias. Our results show a plate that is high in cereals, roots, tubers, plantains, and animal-based protein, and low in vegetables, fruits, and plant-based proteins. Behind this plate, most tensions emerge between family traditions and other sustainability spheres. These tensions are related to socio-affective risks, animal suffering, time constraints, effort, and monetary costs. Integrating sociocultural elements such as family traditions in public policy becomes fundamental when promoting sustainable diets in similar contexts. This study contributes to the discussion about the sociocultural changes required in the transition toward sustainable food systems.
