Investigating Neophobia Towards New Food Technologies in Italy: The CoNF&TTI Cross-Sectional Study

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Food technology neophobia (FTN), defined as the reluctance to accept or consume foods produced with novel or emerging food technologies, represents a psychological barrier to the adoption of sustainable and innovative dietary practices. This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of food technology neophobia and its associated factors among Italian university students. <b>Methods:</b> A total of 1788 undergraduates from 13 universities completed a validated online questionnaire between February and October 2024. The instrument included the Food Technology Neophobia Scale (FTNS), environmental attitude items, and demographic and dietary questions. <b>Results</b>: The mean FTNS score was 51.2 ± 14.0, suggesting moderate levels of neophobia. Multivariate logistic regression identified several factors inversely associated with neophobia: male gender (OR = 0.73, <i>p</i> = 0.003), paternal university education (OR = 0.73, <i>p</i> = 0.024), studying in Northern Italy (OR = 0.64, <i>p</i> < 0.001), dietary supplement use (OR = 0.74, <i>p</i> = 0.003), and pro-environmental attitudes (OR = 0.97, <i>p</i> < 0.001). Conversely, being a commuter student was associated with increased neophobia (OR = 1.29, <i>p</i> = 0.031). <b>Conclusions</b>: These findings highlight the influence of socio-demographic, behavioral, and attitudinal factors on the acceptance of new food technologies. Tailored strategies are recommended to address FTN in specific subgroups, particularly among female, commuter, and Southern Italian students, to enhance receptivity to food innovation and support sustainable dietary transitions.

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Journal
Nutrients
Published
2025-08-30
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17172825
Primary Topic
Agriculture Sustainability and Environmental Impact
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article
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article

Investigating Neophobia Towards New Food Technologies in Italy: The CoNF&TTI Cross-Sectional Study

Laura Dallolio, Patrizia Calella, Giacomo Scaioli, Gabriella Di Giuseppe et al.
1 links
Nutrients
Agriculture Sustainability and Environmental Impact
article

Investigating Neophobia Towards New Food Technologies in Italy: The CoNF&TTI Cross-Sectional Study

Laura Dallolio, Patrizia Calella, Giacomo Scaioli, Gabriella Di Giuseppe, Stefania Paduano, Aida Bianco, Federica Valeriani, Alice Masini, Chiara de Waure, Christian Napoli, Lavinia Bianco, Pasqualina Laganà, Vincenzo Romano Spica, Licia Veronesi, Concetta Arianna Scicchitano, Francesco Triggiano, Giuseppina Caggiano, Francesca Licata, Francesca Gallé, Carmela Protano, Michela Persiani, Roberta Siliquini, Annalisa Bargellini, Isabella Marchesi, Maria Teresa Montagna, Maria Eugenia Colucci, Rossella Sacchetti, Giovanna Paduano, Concetta Paola Pelullo, Ksenija Vitale, Stefania Oliva, G La Spada, Cesira Pasquarella, Salvatore Borzì, Anastasia Cataldo
article en

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Food technology neophobia (FTN), defined as the reluctance to accept or consume foods produced with novel or emerging food technologies, represents a psychological barrier to the adoption of sustainable and innovative dietary practices. This cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of food technology neophobia and its associated factors among Italian university students. <b>Methods:</b> A total of 1788 undergraduates from 13 universities completed a validated online questionnaire between February and October 2024. The instrument included the Food Technology Neophobia Scale (FTNS), environmental attitude items, and demographic and dietary questions. <b>Results</b>: The mean FTNS score was 51.2 ± 14.0, suggesting moderate levels of neophobia. Multivariate logistic regression identified several factors inversely associated with neophobia: male gender (OR = 0.73, <i>p</i> = 0.003), paternal university education (OR = 0.73, <i>p</i> = 0.024), studying in Northern Italy (OR = 0.64, <i>p</i> < 0.001), dietary supplement use (OR = 0.74, <i>p</i> = 0.003), and pro-environmental attitudes (OR = 0.97, <i>p</i> < 0.001). Conversely, being a commuter student was associated with increased neophobia (OR = 1.29, <i>p</i> = 0.031). <b>Conclusions</b>: These findings highlight the influence of socio-demographic, behavioral, and attitudinal factors on the acceptance of new food technologies. Tailored strategies are recommended to address FTN in specific subgroups, particularly among female, commuter, and Southern Italian students, to enhance receptivity to food innovation and support sustainable dietary transitions.

NutrientsVol. 17(17)
University of Messina (IT), University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (IT), Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale “Amedeo Avogadro” (IT), University of Parma (IT), Parthenope University of Naples (IT), University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (IT), Foro Italico University of Rome (IT), University of Perugia (IT), Magna Graecia University (IT), Azienda Ospedaliera Citta' della Salute e della Scienza di Torino (IT), University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (IT), University of Turin (IT), University of Bari Aldo Moro (IT), Sapienza University of Rome (IT), University of Bologna (IT)
Openalex Percentile: Top 77%
Agriculture Sustainability and Environmental Impact
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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