Consumers excited: Is cell-based fish the future on our plates?

Consumers excited: Is cell-based fish the future on our plates?

The future of fish consumption could come from the bioreactor! An employee at the University of Vechta, Johanna Böttcher, recently carried out an exciting study on the acceptance of cell-based fish, which will be presented in Hamburg on Wednesday. According to AHGZ it shows that German consumers are definitely interested in fish from the laboratory. Factors such as taste, smell, texture and the price of the product are decisive for acceptance.

The study was created on the basis of expert interviews, group discussions and a survey. This shows a global trend: around 20 companies are already working on the production of cell-based fish. This novel technology uses fish cells that are supplied with nutrients in a bioreactor. Food wholesalers and fish suppliers will also be present at the fishing industry summit in Hamburg, including Sebastian Rakers, co-founder of Bluu Seafood.

Innovative approaches to fish farming

Bluu Seafood operates its own bioreactor in Hamburg to produce cell-based fish and is planning collaborations with Cultivate at Scale. The company is currently waiting for approval to sell its products, which has already been applied for in Singapore. After this initial approval, the USA should also follow.

A look at the challenges of our time makes it clear how important such developments are. The rapid growth of the world's population and the worsening climate crisis pose immense challenges to food systems. According to a research project that deals with the perception of new food technologies, a transformation towards more sustainable food systems is urgently needed.

Dependence on animal products is no longer sustainable, primarily because of the enormous environmental and health impacts. Innovative food technologies could act as a solution here. Not only do they offer alternatives, but they also help reduce resource consumption and reduce environmental impact. Research on this is essential to support product development and political decisions.

Consumer acceptance and new technologies

A central issue remains consumer acceptance of new products, which is crucial for market success. This examines how consumers perceive the properties of cell-based fish and which influencing factors, such as personal psychology and demographic characteristics, influence their purchasing decisions. A representative survey will be conducted with 1,000 consumers in countries such as Germany, France, Denmark and the United Kingdom.

Curiosity about new food technologies has been aroused, but the awareness-raising process is not yet complete. The taste and quality requirements must also be met. These demands reflect the need for sustainable solutions at a time when we have to think intensively about our diet.

Below is an overview of key arguments for consumer acceptance:

• Geschmack
• Geruch
• Textur
• Preis

Developments in the field of cell-based foods offer the opportunity to rethink how we use resources. An advance that is not only relevant for the fish industry, but for the entire food system of our time.