Creating consumer demand for food from algae

The qualities of algae (high in proteins, in omega oils and in vitamins and minerals) mean algae are the perfect candidates to be a future staple of a healthy diet and an integral component if we are to build a more sustainable food system. To fulfill the huge potential that algae have, we need to explore how food system actors can turn consumer perceptions into consumer preference.

In this study we discussed the perception of algae as a food, experience of eating algae and algae-based products, and the role that algae could play in making the food system more sustainable. We did this with 111 consumers from 18 different countries, and with 7 experts from different organisations working with algae. The goal was to obtain insights on how consumers perceive algae to enable actors in the food chain to develop more tailored consumer-centric product propositions and campaigns, as a step towards achieving a healthier, more sustainable food system.

This work forms part of the Citizen Participation Forum, a series of studies to gain consumer insights which are important for EIT Food and the EU.