Perception of Consumers and Poultry Industry Stakeholders on the use of Insect Meal in Broiler Chicken Feed in the Souss Massa Region, Morocco

Abstract

In the face of global population growth and food security challenges, identifying sustainable alternative protein sources is crucial. Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larval meal (BSFLM) represents a promising substitute for conventional protein in animal feed. This cross-sectional, survey-based study used structured questionnaires to assess perception among 391 consumers and 35 poultry-sector stakeholders in the Souss Massa region (Morocco). Statistical associations were assessed using a chi-square test (α = 0.05). Overall consumer awareness of insects in animal feed reached 53.2%. Acceptability of BSF larval meal (BSFLM)-fed broilers was 37.3% favorable, 34.8% neutral and 27.9% unfavorable. Younger respondents showed significantly (p<0.05) higher acceptability than seniors. Key consumer concerns were health risks, food safety and limited scientific information. Among stakeholders, prior knowledge was high (94.3%) and openness was conditional on safeguards; principal barriers were regulatory uncertainty, need for stronger evidence, limited production capacity and cost. The development potential is real but hinges on coordinated action by public authorities and regulators, industry stakeholders, health and food safety authorities and researchers to: clarify the regulatory framework, fund applied safety and performance studies, scale competitive BSFLM supply and communicate transparently on health assurances and environmental benefits.