Acceptance Towards Insects as Food or Feed in Iceland, Consumer´s Perspectives

• The study used 5-point Likert scale (1 the lowest and 5 the highest acceptance) • The mean acceptance level for Animals-Fed-on-Insects was 3.31 • The mean acceptance level for insects as food was 2.01 • Males were generally more positive towards insects as food and feed than females • Previous experience with consuming insects affected the acceptance level positively This study aims to assess consumer acceptance of insects as food and feed in Iceland and to identify factors influencing this acceptance. A total of 885 respondents completed a survey using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = very low, 5 = very high) to evaluate willingness to consume insects as food and livestock products derived from animals fed insects (Animals-Fed-on-Insects). The survey also measured respondents’ knowledge of insects as food and feed. The mean acceptance score for Animals-Fed-on-Insects was 3.31, whereas the mean score for direct insect consumption was lower, at 2.01. Males generally exhibited higher acceptance of both categories, while the oldest respondents reported the lowest acceptance of eating insects. Prior knowledge and previous experience with insect consumption were associated with significantly higher acceptance levels. The primary reasons for reluctance to consume Animals-Fed-on-Insects were disgust and lack of trust in insects as a suitable feed source; disgust was also the main reason for unwillingness to consume insects directly. Among different product forms, respondents were most receptive to insect-based protein powder (mean acceptance score: 2.19). Notably, providing information on the environmental benefits of insect consumption increased the willingness of 42.5% of respondents to consider consuming insects regularly.