Media Framing and Consumer Adoption of Synthetic Food

This project examines how media framing, misinformation, and social media influencer narratives shape consumer perceptions and adoption of synthetic food in Bangladesh. Using focus group discussions and content analysis of traditional and digital media, the study explores whether synthetic food is presented as innovative, risky, sustainable, or unnatural, and how these frames affect trust, curiosity, anxiety, and willingness to try such products. The project is grounded in Framing Theory and Diffusion of Innovations Theory to explain how communication influences public attitudes and behavioral intentions toward novel food technologies.Media-Framing-and-Consumer-Adoption-of-Synthetic-Food.docx The findings suggest that media messages can strongly shape initial impressions, but long-term acceptance is also influenced by cultural habits, taste preferences, cost, trust in authorities, and perceived credibility of influencers. Overall, the project offers insight into the role of media ecosystems in shaping public understanding of emerging food technologies and provides practical implications for risk communication, food policy, and public education in Bangladesh.