Consumer perceptions and market analysis of plant-based foods: A global perspective

Plant-based alternatives have gained increased attention during the past decades, from both industries and consumers. This chapter aims to highlight the current market situation of these products and provide a comprehensive picture of the role of consumers in the plant-based alternative sector. Specifically, this chapter investigates the current knowledge of both consumers’ perception and the sensory evaluation of plant-based foods that strive to mimic animal products—that is, meat, dairy, seafood, and eggs—and identifies research gaps that should be addressed to enhance plant-based alternatives and enable them to become a practical tool toward a sustainable plant-forward transition.