By Jamie Martin
A recent Rutgers study highlights a significant disconnect between environmental sustainability and the factors influencing American meat consumption.
The research, published in the journal Appetite, surveyed over 1,200 U.S. adults, revealing that health and price are the predominant motivators for reducing red meat intake, overshadowing sustainability concerns.
The study found that while 70% of participants reported reducing their red meat consumption, 64% did so for health reasons and 32% due to cost, with only 6% citing environmental sustainability.
"There's a disconnect between the mounting evidence on meat's environmental footprint and what's actually driving consumer behavior," explained Shauna Downs, lead author and associate professor at Rutgers.
Participants prioritized health (85%) and taste (84%) over environmental impact (29%) and animal welfare (28%) when purchasing meat. The demographic breakdown showed older adults and women placing higher importance on health and sustainability than other groups.
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Categories: National