1,720,996 research outputs found
Consumers’ Preferences and Willingness-To-Pay for Misfit Vegetables
No full textFood retailers had been used accustomed not to offer the so-called “Misfits”, that was fruits and vegetables whose appearance did not meet the best visual quality standards. This was due to the assumption that consumers only preferred fruits and vegetables with perfect appeal, which ultimately contributed towards the global, food waste bad tendencies. Therefore, it was important to understand consumers’ acceptance of the pricing possibilities for misfits. Furthermore, this aspect inspired the current study, which was aimed to investigate whether consumers could accept or reject misfit vegetables if there was any possibility of choosing such produce. A sample of 200 consumers was surveyed in Bologna, Italy, in June 2014 using a choice experiment approach and fresh carrots as the product of interest. Data were analysed using both Multinomial Logit (mnl) and Random Parameter Logit (rpl) models. The results suggested that appearance actually influenced consumer preferences for fresh carrots, on the basis of deformation as well as irregularity in terms of size, reducing the probability to purchase. However, consumers were showing more tolerance for irregular sized carrots compared to deformed ones. In addition, misfits were more accepted by consumers purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables at fresh food market compared to supermarket customers
Consumers' Willingness-to-Pay for Food Safety Labels in an Emerging Market: The Case of Fresh Produce in Thailand
No full textFood safety systems in emerging markets are currently facing a transformation period, becoming more stringent because of an increasing demand for safer food. Consequently, policy makers need to find strategies to increase food safety while giving the industry time to improve their performance. In Thailand, policy makers have adopted the strategy of upgrading food safety standards gradually. Government and private food safety brands and labels were introduced onto the market but little is known whether Thai consumers have preferences for them or not. This study is aimed at evaluating Thai consumers’ preferences for food safety labels and brands on fresh produce, using a surveyed based on discrete-choice experiments. A sample of 350 Thai consumers was surveyed in Bangkok in 2013. Quota sampling according to the shopping outlets and convenience sampling methods were adopted. Two hundred respondents were recruited at fresh-food markets and 150 respondents were recruited at supermarkets. We found that consumers are willing-to-pay more for both government led food safety label and private brands, but that there is high heterogeneity in their preferences. The high degree of social desirability for food safety labels confirms that food safety labelling policy should be supported. However, the provision of information and credibility are vital in order to mitigate the risk of consumer deception by self-claimed labels
Nutri-Score and Eco-Score Labeling: A Systematic Review of Their Impact on Consumer Understanding, Attitudes, and Behaviors
No full textThe increasing socio-political interest in front-of-pack (FOP) labels is leading to a larger body of consumer studies on the topic. This work explores the current literature on a highly discussed color-coded label format at the European level: the Nutri-Score (NS) and its environmental counterpart, the Eco-Score (ES). Our systematic review investigates consumers’ responses to the labels in terms of consumers’ understanding, attitudes, and behaviors. Results from the retrieved articles (n = 72) showed a positive performance of the NS in promoting objective understanding. Specifically, the NS more consistently led to correct responses in tasks assessing objective understanding (e.g. ranking products based on their nutritional quality) compared to other nutrition labels. Additionally, the NS showed promising effects on purchasing behavior, frequently guiding consumers toward choices with improved nutritional quality. More heterogeneity was identified for subjective understanding. Regarding the ES and the dual-labeling system (i.e. the two labels are displayed simultaneously), the restricted number of studies limited our conclusions and implications. Finally, limitations and suggestions for future research were proposed, as well as policy implications. Given the current socio-political debates on this FOP label format, our analysis can contribute to the ongoing discussion to adopt mandatory FOP labels to support public health
Organic Food Marketing in Asia: a value chain perspective
No full textOver the last three decades, the organic agro-food system in Asia has transformed from the early development stage to one of the most promising markets in the world. Initially from the attempt to apply the organic concepts to sustain agriculture, rural, and social development, nowadays, the increasing demands for organic food from the region and the industrialized countries is the main driver for organic farming movement in Asia. Due to the diversified characteristics and levels of economic development of Asian countries, the Asian organic food market is heterogeneous as it hosts a wide range of organic sector development scenarios, from early development to highly regulated. Japan is the third largest organic consumption market after the EU and the US while China and India are the main organic food producers in the world
Attitudes and preferences of Kosovar consumers towards quality and origin of meat
Full text linkQuality and safety are important attributes for consumers in developed and transitional countries such as Kosovo. This study aims to examine Kosovar consumers’ characteristics, attitude and preferences towards meat as well as to provide meat consumer profiling using a descriptive analysis together with the Food-Related Lifestyle approach. We drew a sample of 300 Kosovar consumers by means of intercept sampling in Prishtina, Prizren and Gjilan. Results suggest that Kosovar consumers perceive country of origin (COO), especially domestic origin, as an indicator of quality and safety for meat. Two consumer profiles were identified through segmentation analysis: conservative and innovative food consumers. The innovative food consumer is the most interesting target segment for Kosovar meat. There is potentially a market for meat products bearing food safety and origin labels. Therefore, private operators could consider the use of safety certification labels to signal to consumers that their products are safer than common products. The paper concludes by discussing the implications of our findings for businesses and policy makers regarding domestic meat promotion strategies
Customers’ Preferences for Different Processed Tomato Categories in Food Service
No full textHypothetical discrete choice experiments were conducted to elicit food-service professionals’ preferences and willingness-to-pay for different attributes of processed tomatoes. A sample of 110 food-service professionals were surveyed in Italy, Russia, Eastern Europe, and South Korea in 2012. Data were analyzed by using multinomial logit and random parameter logit models. Results suggest that food-service professionals preferred peeled tomatoes to chopped pulp, tomato purée, and tomato paste. However, their preferences were heterogeneous. They would pay a premium price for products labeled with Italian origin. Types of cuisine sold by practitioners, numbers of points of sale, and nationalities also influence practitioners’ WTP. Factors affecting their purchasing decision were freshness of product, followed by convenience, cooking time, price, origin of product, and brand. This study shows that the research method is suitable for evaluating the preferences of food-service professionals. The preferences of industry operators resemble those of consumers
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Can information affect sensory perceptions? Evidence from a survey on Italian organic food consumers
Full text linkThis paper aims to investigate the influence of information on consumers’ preferences and sensory perceptions of organic food using a sample of 301 Italian organic food consumers. Consumers stated their preferences for “core organic” attributes, labels and information on food products and performed blind and informed tests on strawberry yoghurts and cookies. Data were analysed using descriptive analysis, Mann-Whitney U tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results revealed that consumers appreciate “core organic” attributes, like artisanal production and variability of sensory attributes. Comparing blind and informed tests, results showed that information affects the overall liking of products and consumers’ perception of product-specific sensory attributes. However, the influence of information on sensory perceptions depends on the product category, sensory attributes and the type of information provided
Geographical Indications: outlook on the European and Thai systems and overview of EU gatekeepers perceptions towards GI fruit and coffee products proceeding from Thailand
No full textIn 1992, at the urging of most active producer associations, the European Union adopted a comprehensive and efficient regulatory system for Geographical Indications (GIs) to protect superior local origin products and cultural identity in Europe.
In contrast, GIs development in Thailand started under the WTO‘s TRIPs Agreement, to establish certain mechanisms for value enhancement and to protect products with a good reputation. This was done as a response to consumer demand and in an effort to position export products in a lucrative global market. Since the EU is one of the biggest markets for GIs products, Thailand, through the DIP (Department of Intellectual Property, Ministry of Commerce), is now attempting to further extend Thai GIs‘ protection and value by applying for product registration according to EC Reg. 510/2006.
Due to the underdeveloped international legal framework, there is no universally accepted definition for ―Geographical Indications‖ and significant differences still exist between EU and Thai regulatory systems. It is important for both the EU and Thailand to understand these differences in order to overcome them and foster mutually beneficial trade opportunities for food and agricultural products
There is an enormous lack of knowledge among EU gatekeepers and consumers towards foreign GIs entering the EU market, which leads to questions such as: might GIs be an advantage for countries outside the EU, like Thailand, in their effort to get listed by EU gatekeepers? Might GIs certification be an important factor which consumers take into consideration when purchasing fruit and coffee products? By conducting extensive research on European gatekeepers, the present study provides partially encouraging results and underlines the importance of information and promotion activities addressed to both European gatekeepers and consumers.
Although this study focuses mainly on the marketing aspects of geographical indications and EU-Thai trade opportunities, it is important to remember that GIs are not exclusively trade or legal tools used to protect products or penetrate markets. In many countries GIs represent a potential for developing rural areas
Effect of multimedia interventions on children’s fruit and vegetable consumption in a real-life setting
Full text linkPurpose
This paper aims to examine the effect of a food-inspired multimedia intervention on children’s fruits and vegetables (F&V) consumption in a real-life setting during lunch.
Design
Children in an elementary school in Bologna (Italy) in third, fourth and fifth grade, aged between 9 and 12 years old, were examined (N = 171). Two different types of messages (generic and specific) were used to test message-tailoring in two separate intervention groups and one control group. The two intervention groups (classes) were presented with multimedia messages during an English lesson before lunchtime, and their eating behavior during lunch at school was observed. All children were served the first and second course, vegetables and fruit during lunchtime. Data was analyzed with R 3.4.2. Mann–Whitney U, Kruskal–Wallis and ANOVA tests were used to test for group differences, ordered logistic regression for modelling fruit and vegetable consumption.
Findings
The results show that children receiving a specific message targeting F&V consumed more fruit than the other two study groups. No effect on vegetable consumption was observed. Results from an ordered logit model support the notion that the multimedia message impacted fruit intake in the specific message group when taking other variables into account, such as F&V consumption and availability at home and children’s attitude toward F&V.
Originality
While many studies have considered a group of intervention for understanding the effect of multimedia, this study is focused only on the effect of a message (generic or specific). Moreover, participants, children, were not informed that they were participating in a study on fruit and vegetables consumption, and thus were following their daily routine
Strategies to Promote Healthy Eating Among University Students: A Qualitative Study Using the Nominal Group Technique
Full text linkIntroduction: The years spent at university are critical in terms of altering people’s dietary
patterns. This study aimed to: (1) understand the main dietary changes that students
experience after starting university; (2) determine the personal and objective factors that
hinder healthy eating, and (3) define possible strategies to facilitate healthier diets among
university students.
Methods: The nominal group technique (NGT) was used to elicit ideas from 39
students from the University of Parma, Italy. The sample comprised 16 freshmen and 23
non-freshmen. Participants prioritized and weighed their top five ideas regarding dietary
changes, barriers to healthy eating, and possible strategies to maintain a healthy diet. A
thematic analysis was conducted to compare the priorities across groups.
Results: Forty-three themes were elected as the most significant changes related to
diet, 39 themes related to personal barriers, 43 themes related to objective barriers,
and 55 themes related to strategies. A lack of time for cooking, low financial availability,
consumption of unvaried food or junk food, and gaining knowledge about food were
identified as the main changes. Personal barriers to eating healthy were intrinsic (i.e.,
lack of willpower, personal gluttony, and little effort in cooking preparation), poor dietary
information, and a busy lifestyle.Market and financial factors (i.e., the high price of healthy
products and low financial availability), as well as social factors (i.e., the negative influence
of social networks, childhood food education, and origin/tradition), emerged as objective
barriers. Possible strategies that could encourage students to adopt a healthy diet include
varying the food products offered in university canteens, including organizing spaces
where students who prepare meals from home can warm up and eat their food. Student
discounts at supermarkets and information on nutrition and a healthy diet were also
identified as important ways of supporting students.
Conclusion and Implication for Practice: In order to make students part of the
solution, the NGT provided them with the opportunity to equally contribute their ideas
and opinions about having a healthy diet in a university context. This could potentially
lead to tailor-made solutions for policymakers, educators, and foodservice providers in
promoting healthy eating habits
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