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

Eliana Martínez-Padilla, Ilona Faber*, Iben Lykke Petersen, Einar Vargas-Bello-Pérez

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)
44 Downloads (Pure)

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.

Original languageEnglish
Article number385
JournalFoods
Volume12
Issue number2
Number of pages10
ISSN2304-8158
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 by the authors.

Keywords

  • consumer perception
  • milk alternatives
  • oat
  • online survey
  • plant-based
  • soy

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