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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
05:45
Process Development for the Spray-Drying of Probiotic Bacteria and Evaluation of the Product Quality
Published on: April 7, 2023
Technological Innovation and Consumer Trust: Understanding Safety Perceptions in Next Generation Probiotic
Diana Bogueva1, Svetla Danova2, Mükerrem Betül Yerer3
1Curtin University Sustainability Policy (CUSP) Institute, Curtin University, Perth 6102, Australia.
Microorganisms
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Technological innovation in next-generation probiotics significantly impacts consumer trust via perceived safety. Addressing misinformation and regulatory gaps is crucial for public acceptance of these advanced functional foods.
Area of Science:
- Food Microbiology
- Consumer Behavior
- Regulatory Science
Background:
- Next-generation probiotics, including conventional cultures (Tier 1), postbiotics (Tier 2), and engineered microbial strains (Tier 3), represent significant technological innovation in functional foods.
- Consumer trust is a critical factor influencing the development, application, and adoption of these novel probiotic products.
- Understanding how different tiers of technological innovation affect public perception of safety and risk is essential for market success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine how technological innovation in next-generation probiotics influences consumer trust, focusing on perceived safety.
- To evaluate the impact of distinct innovation tiers (Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3) on public risk dynamics.
- To identify key factors influencing consumer trust and rejection of probiotic innovations.
Main Methods:
- Interdisciplinary review integrating evidence from food microbiology, consumer perception research, and regulatory analysis.
- Evaluation of public risk dynamics associated with different technological innovation tiers in probiotics.
- Analysis of factors such as processing, media framing, misinformation, regulatory inconsistencies, and cognitive friction points (e.g., 'Animation Gap', 'Contamination Anxiety').
Main Results:
- Processing, media framing, and misinformation significantly influence public perception of microbial legitimacy and safety.
- The 'Animation Gap' and 'Contamination Anxiety' create new challenges for consumer acceptance.
- Regulatory inconsistencies and variable health claim substantiation hinder market adoption.
- Physical stability, sensory performance, and clear value propositions are key determinants of consumer trust.
Conclusions:
- Bridging the gap between scientific innovation and public acceptance requires proactive, ethical communication and engagement strategies grounded in empirical evidence.
- Digital ecosystems and social media amplify technology neophobia, necessitating targeted, evidence-based public communication.
- Effective strategies are needed to build consumer trust in the evolving landscape of probiotic and functional food innovation.
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