Paper Title
CONSUMER’S KNOWLEDGE ABOUT NUTRITIONAL ASPECTS OF EDIBLE INSECTS

Abstract
Abstract—Edible insects have been recognized as a nutritive food, rich in protein and other nutrients of value for the human body, while being a more sustainable alternative to other conventional protein-based foods.For this reason, and because edible insects are not a part of the traditional diet in Portugal, an European country of Mediterranean dietary influences, this work aimed to investigate the knowledge of the population about the nutritive value of edible insects. For that a questionnaire survey was prepared and data were collected through internet means and were treated using appropriate statistical tools and tests. The results showed that, in general, the level of knowledge was low, and most especially regarding aspects like the presence of anti-nutrients, or the fat and mineral contents. Regarding the influence of sociodemographic variables on the level of knowledge, significant differences were found between sexes or between age groups, and the same applies to the education level. Reversely, living environment was not found to significantly influence the knowledge. In conclusion, Portuguese consumers are not yet informed enough about the potential of edible insects as valuable foods. Keywords - Edible Insect, Information, Knowledge, Sociodemographic Characteristics.