Microplastics in seafood: Consumer preferences and valuation for mitigation technologies

Barrientos, Manuel; Vásquez Lavín, Felipe; Ponce Oliva, Roberto D.; Nayga, Rodolfo M.; Gelcich, Stefan

Abstract

Microplastics, an emerging pollutant, have garnered widespread attention due to potential repercussions on human health and the environment. Given the critical role of seafood in food security, growing concerns about microplastics might be detrimental to meeting future global food demand. This study employed a discrete choice experiment to investigate Chilean consumers' preferences for technology aimed at mitigating microplastic levels in mussels. Using a between-subjects design with information treatments, we examined the impact of informing consumers about potential human health and environmental effects linked to microplastics pollution on their valuation for the technology. We found that the information treatments increased consumers’ willingness to pay for mussels. Specifically, consumers were willing to pay a premium of around US$ 4 for 250g of mussel meat with a 90% depuration efficiency certification. The provision of health impact information increased the price premium by 56%, while the provision of environmental information increased it by 21%. Furthermore, combined health and environmental information significantly increased the probability of non-purchasing behavior by 22.8% and the risk perception of microplastics for human health by 5.8%. These results emphasized the critical role of information in shaping consumer preferences and provided evidence for validating investment in research and development related to microplastic pollution mitigation measures.

Citation

Barrientos, M., Vásquez Lavín, F., Ponce Oliva, R. D., Nayga, R. M., & Gelcich, S. (2024). Microplastics in seafood: Consumer preferences and valuation for mitigation technologies. Food Research International, 187, Article 114342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2024.114342

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 17, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Apr 23, 2024
• Publication Date: 2024-07
• Deposit Date: May 1, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: May 1, 2024
• Journal: Food Research International
• Print ISSN: 0963-9969
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 187
• Article Number: 114342
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2024.114342
• Keywords: Animals, Bivalvia, Choice Behavior, Female, Mitigation technology, Male, Chile, Consumer Behavior, Seafood - analysis, Humans, Middle Aged, Willingness to pay, Young Adult, Food Contamination, Microplastics pollution, Information treatment, Microplastics
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2430882