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European perspectives on fungi-based food: Appeal and concerns
University of Borås, Faculty of Textiles, Engineering and Business. Millow AB, Gothenburg, Sweden.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-8280-5042
University of Borås, Faculty of Textiles, Engineering and Business. Millow AB, Gothenburg, Sweden.ORCID iD: 0000-0003-4887-2433
2026 (English)In: Food and Humanity, ISSN 2949-8244, Vol. 6, article id 101025Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Ensuring food security while reducing the environmental footprint of food production has intensified interest in fungi-based foods. This study gauges Europeans’ sentiments to such products by surveying 6004 adults in Germany, Spain and Sweden (Oct–Nov 2024), countries chosen for their contrasting food cultures, sustainability views and regulatory contexts. Many respondents already find the concept appealing, while a similarly large group is open to trying it. A group of respondents voices disinterest, and many do not know what fungi-based food is, highlighting an opportunity for awareness-building. Country effects are modest: Spain shows slightly higher rejection, Germany more uncertainty and Sweden the most trial experience. Up to one-quarter report no concerns; the remainder focus mainly on additives, processing transparency, toxicity, price and flavor or texture parity with meat, while nutritional, digestibility and sustainability worries are rarer. Younger, highly educated and animal-derived food minimizing or avoiding (e.g., flexitarian or vegetarian) persons are more receptive than older or meat-oriented cohorts. Clear labeling, sensory optimization and targeted messaging could convert the sizeable open-minded segment into early adopters, advancing the EU Farm-to-Fork vision of resilient, resource-efficient food. © 2026 The Authors. 

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2026. Vol. 6, article id 101025
Keywords [en]
Alternative protein, Consumer attitudes, Europe, Fungi-based food, Mycoprotein, Sustainable food systems
National Category
Food Science Other Industrial Biotechnology
Research subject
Resource Recovery
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hb:diva-35098DOI: 10.1016/j.foohum.2026.101025ISI: 105027685445Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-105027685445OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hb-35098DiVA, id: diva2:2032038
Funder
Swedish Research Council Formas, 2013–02018Available from: 2026-01-26 Created: 2026-01-26 Last updated: 2026-03-06Bibliographically approved

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Hellwig, CoralieTaherzadeh, Mohammad J

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CiteExportLink to record
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Citation style
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Language
  • de-DE
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  • Other locale
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Output format
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