Consumer Attitudes and Acceptance of Insects as Food and Feed: A Review

Edible insects are considered as a promising alternative for meat-derived protein to meet increasing human demand for meat over the world. Despite the evident benefits in regard to human health (nutritious with high fat and mineral) and the environment (less gas emission and fewer usages of water and cultivated land), introducing and publicizing insects as a new kind of food have faced huge obstacles in both developed and developing countries. There has been a lack of reviews focusing on consumer attitudes and behavior (willingness to consume or acceptance) toward eating insects as food and feed. Based on an analysis of 50 originally peer-reviewed articles on reliable journals from the year 2013 to 2020, this work summarizes consumer acceptance of insects as food and feed and systematizes factors driving or deterring consumers to consume these foods. Further recommendations for future research are also proposed.