Data_Sheet_1_Perceptions and acceptance of yeast-derived dairy in British Columbia, Canada.pdf

Yeast derived-dairy (YDD) produced using cellular agriculture technologies is already available for purchase in the United States, though there has been little study of public understanding of these products. Our pilot study explored consumer perception and acceptance of YDD and yeast-derived agriculture (YDA). The study employed a questionnaire consisting of Likert scale, multiple-choice and open-ended questions, which was disseminated to vegans and the food-interested public in the province of British Columbia, Canada. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS 27.0, and qualitative data was collected and analyzed (in English) using thematic analysis. A binary logistic regression model indicated that among our participants, being vegan or 35 years of age or older negatively predicted having positive feelings towards YDA [chi-square (10) = 29.086, p = 0.001]. Vegans were less likely to try or purchase YDD than non-vegans. Consumers in our study shared concerns regarding the health and safety of YDD with many viewing it as non-vegan and a highly processed product. Although vegans receive a disproportionate amount of media attention with regards to cellular agriculture, our pilot study suggests this group may be unlikely to accept or consume YDA or YDD. Rather, our preliminary work indicates non-vegans and individuals under the age of 35 may be a more receptive market. Across groups, confusion about YDA processes may be a barrier to adoption.

依托细胞农业技术（cellular agriculture technologies）制备的酵母基乳制品（Yeast derived-dairy, YDD）已在美国市场有售，但目前针对公众对这类产品的认知相关研究仍较为匮乏。本先导性研究围绕酵母基乳制品与酵母源农业（Yeast-derived agriculture, YDA）的消费者认知与接受度展开探究。本次研究采用包含李克特量表（Likert scale）题、多项选择题与开放式问题的调查问卷，面向加拿大不列颠哥伦比亚省的纯素主义者（vegans）与食品关注群体发放。定量数据采用SPSS 27.0软件进行分析，定性数据则以主题分析法（thematic analysis）开展英文语境下的收集与分析。二元逻辑回归模型（binary logistic regression model）分析结果显示，在本次研究的受访者中，为纯素主义者或年龄≥35岁的群体，对酵母源农业持有积极态度的概率显著更低[卡方(10)=29.086, p=0.001]。相较于非纯素者，纯素主义者尝试或购买酵母基乳制品的意愿更低。本次研究中的受访者普遍担忧酵母基乳制品的健康与安全问题，多数群体认为其不属于纯素食品，且属于高度加工产品。尽管纯素群体在细胞农业相关媒体报道中获得了不成比例的关注度，但本先导性研究结果显示，该群体或许并不愿意接受或消费酵母源农业产品与酵母基乳制品。相反，本初步研究表明，非纯素者与35岁以下群体或许是接受度更高的目标市场。跨群体分析显示，对酵母源农业生产流程的认知困惑，或是制约产品被消费者采纳的一大障碍。