Attachment to Meat and Willingness Towards Cultured Alternatives Among Consumers: A Cross-Sectional Study in the UAE

Background/Objectives: The escalating global demand for meat, as a sequela of population growth, has led to unsustainable livestock production, resulting in a host of environmental and food security concerns. Various strategies have been explored to mitigate these issues, including the introduction of a novel food product, cultured meat. Cultured meat is not yet commercially available, yet public perceptions are already taking shape. To better understand the factors influencing its adoption by consumers, a cross-sectional, web-based study was conducted to examine consumer attitudes toward conventional meat and cultured meat among adults in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: The survey was conducted between December 2023 and March 2024 and used a convenience snowball sampling method. The questionnaire focused on current meat consumption patterns, meat attachment, and willingness to consume cultured meat. Sociodemographic data, including age, sex, education, and self-reported weight and height, were also collected. Results: Results showed that the vast majority (86%) of participants consumed all types of meats, while more than half (59.3%) were unfamiliar with the term "cultured meat". Despite this unfamiliarity, about one-third (35%) were somewhat willing to try cultured meat, though more than two-thirds (69%) were reluctant to replace conventional meat with cultured meat in their diet. Male participants and those with higher BMIs showed a significantly stronger attachment to conventional meat. Willingness to consume cultured meat was notably higher among participants aged less than 30 years, those having less formal education, and those who are Arabic. Conclusions: These findings suggest that while interest in cultured meat exists, significant barriers remain, particularly regarding consumer education and cultural acceptance.