This study examines U.S. consumer acceptance of meat from animals affected by foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), a non-zoonotic yet economically significant disease. A January 2025 survey of U.S. residents assessed demographic factors, disease knowledge, neophobia, and trust. Experimental approaches, including discrete choice and best-worst scaling, evaluated willingness to pay for attributes like vaccination status and geographic origin, and acceptance of alternative uses for recovered meat. Results highlight key consumer acceptance barriers, emphasizing strategies for integrating recovered meat into supply chains to reduce waste, mitigate market disruptions, and enhance sustainability. The study provides insights to balance economic recovery, food security, and sustainability in food systems following disruptive animal disease events.
