Results of a consumer survey conducted in early October showing millennials’ greater receptivity to animal fats in their diets than a year ago has Coast Packing Co., a supplier of animal fat shortenings in the western United States, eager to share the news.

The survey also indicated that more 18-to-34-year old Americans (a population group of more than 75 million) are likely to actually consume fats from a category that includes lard and tallow than a year ago.

Results of the survey included interviews with 1,000 adults aged 18 and over conducted by Coast Packing and Ipsos Research indicating 24% of millennials were receptive to animal fats in their diet, up from 15% last year. Twenty per cent of millennials reported having increased their intake of animal fats this year compared with 13% last year. At the same time, 32% of millennials this year said they reduced their intake of animal fats, along with 35% of the 35- to 54-year-old age group and 51% of those older than 55.

The survey indicated 12% of 35-to-54-year-olds were open to more animal fats in their diet, an increase over last year, Coast Packing said.