Korean journal of applied entomology (한국응용곤충학회지)

Korean Society of Applied Entomology (한국응용곤충학회)
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Perceptions and Attitudes of Americans in Korea toward Edible Insect-based Pet Food

식용곤충 함유 반려동물 식품에 대한 국내거주 미국인 소비자 인식 및 태도 연구

  • Kim, Seo-Young (XO Center, Advanced Institute of Convergence Technology) ;
  • Bae, Ga-Eun (Food Science and Biotechnology Major, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University) ;
  • Yang, Hee (Bio-MAX Institute, Seoul National University)
  • 김서영 (차세대융합기술연구원 XO센터) ;
  • 배가은 (서울대학교 농업생명과학대학 식품생명공학전공) ;
  • 양희 (서울대학교 생명공학공동연구원)
  • Received : 2021.11.05
  • Accepted : 2021.11.29
  • Published : 2021.12.01
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Abstract

We examined American consumers' perceptions and attitudes toward edible insect-based pet food. In this study, 16 Americans in Korea who owned dogs were categorized into two groups, and focus-group discussions were conducted under three conditions. First, we observed the free association perception of edible insect-based pet food, and attitudes were analyzed after providing a newspaper article related to it. Finally, consumer attitude was examined in the context of purchasing. The study found that the participants had high awareness of the eco-friendliness of edible insects and showed a positive attitude toward news articles related to it. However, when it came to purchasing, they considered nutritional and health functional values compared to environmental values. Meanwhile, the rejection of insects was nevertheless the most important negative factor in pet food, as in general food. The results are significant in confirming the possibility of using insect-based pet food by examining the perceptions and attitudes toward the environmental, nutritional, and health functional values of edible insects under three conditions for American consumers.

식용곤충 함유 반려동물 식품 시장의 성장 요인을 확인하기 위하여, 반려동물 식품시장 규모가 가장 큰 국가가 미국임을 고려하여 미국인 소비자를 대상으로 식용곤충 함유 반려동물 식품에 대한 인식과 태도를 분석하였다. 연구는 반려견을 키우는 재한 미국인 16명을 두 그룹으로 나누어 심층토론 방식으로 다음과 같은 세 가지 상황에서 진행하였다. 먼저 식용곤충 함유 반려동물 식품에 대한 자유 연상 인식을 관찰하였고, 이후 식용곤충 함유 반려동물 식품 관련 언론 정보를 제공한 후 이에 대한 태도를 분석하였으며, 마지막으로 실제 제품을 제시하여 구매 맥락에서의 소비자 태도를 확인하였다. 분석 결과, 참여자들은 식용곤충 원료에 대해 자유 연상 시 '친환경적인', '지속가능한'과 같은 환경적 가치에 대한 인식이 높고 이와 관련한 구체적 언론 정보에 대해서도 긍정적인 태도를 보였지만, 구매 맥락에서는 오히려 환경적 가치보다 '저 알레르기', '고단백질', '피부/모질 개선' 등과 같은 영양 및 건강기능적 가치를 중요하게 여기는 것으로 나타났다. 한편, '식용곤충 원료에 대한 거부감'은 일반 식품과 마찬가지로 반려동물 식품에서도 여전히 가장 중요한 부정적 요소로 나타났다. 본 연구 결과는 미국인 소비자들을 대상으로 세 가지 상황에서 식용곤충 함유 반려동물 식품의 환경적, 영양적, 건강기능적 가치에 대한 인식과 태도를 조사함으로써 식용곤충 원료 산업에서 시도하고 있는 반려동물 식품 시장 진출 전망에 대한 가능성을 확인한 것에 의의가 있다.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 논문은 농림축산식품부의 재원으로 농림식품기술기획평가원의 수출전략기술개발사업의 지원을 받아 연구되었습니다(세부과제번호: 617078065WT111). 또한 본 연구는 서울대학교 생명윤리위원회(IRB)의 승인하에 진행하였습니다(IRB 승인번호 2006/001-010).

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