Insects as food: Illuminating the food neophobia and socio-cultural dynamics of insect consumption in Uganda
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Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science
Abstract
Entomophagy presents the most viable and sustainable meat alternative to feed the ever-increasing world population as insects
are highly nutritious. However, the potential of edible insects’ consumption is constrained by consumers’ fear towards novel or
unfamiliar foods (food neophobia), which tends to be higher for insects. This paper assessed the influence of food neophobia and
socio-cultural factors on the consumption and consumers’ willingness to consume three edible insects in Uganda (the longhorned
grasshoppers, the flying African termites and the wingless red termites). Data were collected from 310 edible insects’
consumers from two culturally different regions in Uganda. Results show that culture and familiarity with edible insects are
important determinants of edible insects’ consumption. Consumers with high levels of food neophobia were less likely to
consume edible insects that were unfamiliar to them.Much as the population exhibited high levels of food neophobia, neophobia
was not a significant predictor of future edible insect consumption. In addition, personal characteristics like education and age
influenced both the level of food neophobia and consumption of insects. Therefore, consumption of edible insect should be
promoted, keeping in mind specific cultural contexts and familiarity of specific edible insects among potential consumers.
Improving knowledge of consumers about edible insects and their nutritional benefits could also lower their levels of food
neophobia and improve willingness to consume insects
Description
Keywords
Edible insects, Food neophobia, Ruspolia differens
Citation
Olum, S., Wesana, J., Mawadri, J., Nakiranda, J. K., & Odongo, W. (2021). Insects as food: Illuminating the food neophobia and socio-cultural dynamics of insect consumption in Uganda. International Journal of Tropical Insect Science, 41(3), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-020-00309-2