Meat replacers as part of sustainable food systems in Romania: A causal network model
The study contributes to the discourse on sustainable food systems by examining the multifaceted factors that influence the adoption of meat replacers. Based on the sustainable food system framework, the main objective was to develop a comprehensive model that explores the complex interactions among...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of Agriculture and Food Research |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666154325001747 |
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| author | Ruxandra Malina Petrescu-Mag Ioana Pistea Camelia Ginsca Lucian Cuibus Dacinia Crina Petrescu |
| author_facet | Ruxandra Malina Petrescu-Mag Ioana Pistea Camelia Ginsca Lucian Cuibus Dacinia Crina Petrescu |
| author_sort | Ruxandra Malina Petrescu-Mag |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The study contributes to the discourse on sustainable food systems by examining the multifaceted factors that influence the adoption of meat replacers. Based on the sustainable food system framework, the main objective was to develop a comprehensive model that explores the complex interactions among economic, socio-cultural, ethical, and environmental factors influencing the adoption, barriers, impacts, and long-term sustainability of meat replacers in Romania. Consequently, the resulting Causal Network Model provides a detailed understanding of the dynamics that influence the adoption of meat replacers in Romania. Inductive coding of the interviews highlighted opportunities and challenges, and the findings showed that economic incentives such as subsidies and research support could enhance market access. At the same time, high production costs and cultural resistance posed significant barriers. Participants raised concerns about the nutritional properties of plant-based alternatives and the health risks of highly processed meat replacers. Ethical considerations were emphasized, including the possible marginalization of small farmers due to the rise in industrial meat production. Despite the recognized environmental benefits, such as reduced carbon footprints, many participants were skeptical about the long-term sustainability of these products. This integrated approach underscores the need for a holistic understanding of the factors that drive and hinder the shift toward meat replacers. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-288d6a5e63ab44efbf65d52a26240836 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2666-1543 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Agriculture and Food Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-288d6a5e63ab44efbf65d52a262408362025-08-20T02:05:12ZengElsevierJournal of Agriculture and Food Research2666-15432025-06-012110180310.1016/j.jafr.2025.101803Meat replacers as part of sustainable food systems in Romania: A causal network modelRuxandra Malina Petrescu-Mag0Ioana Pistea1Camelia Ginsca2Lucian Cuibus3Dacinia Crina Petrescu4Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Babes-Bolyai University, Str. Fantanele 30, Cluj-Napoca 400294, Romania; Doctoral School “International Relations and Security Studies”, Babes-Bolyai University, Str. Mihail Kogalniceanu 1, Cluj-Napoca, 400084, RomaniaFaculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Babes-Bolyai University, Str. Fantanele 30, Cluj-Napoca 400294, RomaniaFaculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Babes-Bolyai University, Str. Fantanele 30, Cluj-Napoca 400294, RomaniaFaculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Calea Manastur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Romanian Academy, Cluj-Napoca Branch, Str. Republicii 9, 40015, RomaniaFaculty of Business, Babes-Bolyai University, Str. Horea 7, Cluj-Napoca, 400174, Romania; Corresponding author.The study contributes to the discourse on sustainable food systems by examining the multifaceted factors that influence the adoption of meat replacers. Based on the sustainable food system framework, the main objective was to develop a comprehensive model that explores the complex interactions among economic, socio-cultural, ethical, and environmental factors influencing the adoption, barriers, impacts, and long-term sustainability of meat replacers in Romania. Consequently, the resulting Causal Network Model provides a detailed understanding of the dynamics that influence the adoption of meat replacers in Romania. Inductive coding of the interviews highlighted opportunities and challenges, and the findings showed that economic incentives such as subsidies and research support could enhance market access. At the same time, high production costs and cultural resistance posed significant barriers. Participants raised concerns about the nutritional properties of plant-based alternatives and the health risks of highly processed meat replacers. Ethical considerations were emphasized, including the possible marginalization of small farmers due to the rise in industrial meat production. Despite the recognized environmental benefits, such as reduced carbon footprints, many participants were skeptical about the long-term sustainability of these products. This integrated approach underscores the need for a holistic understanding of the factors that drive and hinder the shift toward meat replacers.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666154325001747Cultured meatPlant-based meatInsect-based meatEthicsRiskAlternative proteins |
| spellingShingle | Ruxandra Malina Petrescu-Mag Ioana Pistea Camelia Ginsca Lucian Cuibus Dacinia Crina Petrescu Meat replacers as part of sustainable food systems in Romania: A causal network model Journal of Agriculture and Food Research Cultured meat Plant-based meat Insect-based meat Ethics Risk Alternative proteins |
| title | Meat replacers as part of sustainable food systems in Romania: A causal network model |
| title_full | Meat replacers as part of sustainable food systems in Romania: A causal network model |
| title_fullStr | Meat replacers as part of sustainable food systems in Romania: A causal network model |
| title_full_unstemmed | Meat replacers as part of sustainable food systems in Romania: A causal network model |
| title_short | Meat replacers as part of sustainable food systems in Romania: A causal network model |
| title_sort | meat replacers as part of sustainable food systems in romania a causal network model |
| topic | Cultured meat Plant-based meat Insect-based meat Ethics Risk Alternative proteins |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666154325001747 |
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