Perceptions toward Plant-Based Milk Alternatives among Young Adult Consumers and Non-Consumers in Denmark: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine associations among plant-based milk alternatives (PBMAs), sources of information on the PBMAs used, and the consumption of PBMAs among Danish young adult consumers and non-consumers of PBMAs. An online survey was conducted in May 2019. A total of 341 participants (consumers: n = 171; non-consumers: n = 170) aged 16–35 years old completed the survey. Most consumers drank less than one glass of PBMAs per week, and oat drink was the most frequently consumed PBMAs. Oat drinks were primarily consumed with coffee/tea or porridge, while soy drinks were preferred to be consumed alone. Participants who perceived PBMAs as natural, good for health, tasty, or nutritionally equal to cow’s milk were more likely to be consumers of PBMAs. Additionally, participants who perceived PBMAs as highly processed or artificial were less likely to be consumers of PBMAs. For consumers, the most used sources of information on PBMAs were package labeling, followed by social media. The study´s results can help to improve marketing campaigns concerning the Danish retail of PBMA, whereby nutritional and sensory characteristics of PBMAs are highlighted through social networks and marketing strategies with product package labeling.

Organic Vegetable Chips: Exploring Romanian Consumers’ Preferences in Relation to Socio-Demographic Factors

“…For both Pearson’s chi-square test and for binary logistic regression, the p -value was considered significant when p < 0.05 [ 58 ].…”

Consumers’ Preferences and Attitudes towards Plant-Based Milk

“…Prytulska et al [ 34 ] corroborate the significant impact of health consciousness on favoring PBM. Moreover, Martínez-Padilla et al [ 35 ] found that positive perceptions of PBM’s naturalness, health benefits, and nutritional parity to cow’s milk bolstered its consumption, whereas perceptions of PBM as excessively processed or synthetic deterred consumption. Collectively, these studies underscore the pivotal role of health consciousness in determining PBM consumption trends.…”

“…Ritchey et al [ 37 ] examined the impact of food neophobia on the acceptance of PBM, concluding that higher levels of neophobia were associated with a lower likelihood of PBM consumption. Faber and Petersen [ 35 ] found that consumers who perceive PBM as natural, healthy, tasty, or nutritionally equivalent to dairy milk are more likely to consume it, whereas those who view it as highly processed or artificial are less likely to do so.…”

Plant-Based Milk Alternatives in Child Nutrition

“…Full-fat cow’s milk has ~3.2–3.7 g/100 mL [ 40 ], whereas partially skimmed and fat-free cow’s milk have lower fat content. There are differences in the fatty-acid composition: a prevalence of saturated fatty acids is typical of cow’s milk (around 60%) and coconut-based drinks (around 90%) [ 10 , 36 ], whereas a prevalence of polyunsaturated fatty acids is reported for soy-based drinks [ 36 ]. Moreover, during the production, different oils (such as sunflower, rice) can be added to improve the organoleptic characteristics, making the lipid profile of the final product different from what could be inferred considering only the primary source.…”

“…In another qualitative study conducted in Poland, Germany, and France, it was found that barriers and reinforcement to the consumption of plant-based alternatives depend on social factors, including health aspects, peer influences, and country-specific culinary traditions [ 35 ]. An online interview conducted in Denmark among young adults showed that consumers who consider milk and plant-based alternatives nutritionally equivalent are also those who consume them more often [ 36 ]. In a Canadian study based on perceptions and attitudes towards plant-based milk alternatives, plant-based drinks were associated with sustainability and health benefits among participants [ 37 ].…”