Consumer acceptance of precision fermentation technology: A cross-cultural study

Technological advances in precision fermentation hold great potential for transformative changes in the agri-food system, addressing crucial environmental and food security challenges. However, the successful adoption of this technology hinges on consumer acceptance, which plays a pivotal role in determining its market success. To shed light on consumer acceptance of precision fermentation technology, three studies were conducted. Study 1 found that adopting natural (vs. sustainable) framing positively influenced acceptance (N = 308). Study 2 revealed that the information supporting use of representative heuristic can effectively enhance technology acceptance (N = 300). Furthermore, Study 3 proposed and tested the technology acceptance model in a cross-cultural setting (N = 3032), indicating that when prompting similarity to traditional fermentation positively influenced consumer perceptions. This further fosters higher levels of trust and perceived benefits, significantly impacting consumer acceptance and intention to purchase new products derived from precision fermentation technology. These insights emphasize the critical role of consumer acceptance in driving the adoption and market success of precision fermentation.