Year: 2000
Type: dissertation
Abstract: The effect of product information on the acceptability of reduced-fat foods was studied in four sensory studies and in a survey.Sensory and hedonic ratings of fat spreads, sausages, yogurts and chocolate bars were measured in blind test conditions and in the presence of different types of information.Product information, which was related to the fat content or the taste of the foods, was presented either by simple texts on labels or in pictures of food packages.A total of 743 consumers took part in the studies.The effects of subjects' age, gender, concern about food and health and involvement with the tested products on sensory and hedonic ratings were measured.Product information increased acceptance of bologna and frankfurter sausages compared to blind ratings.The acceptance increased similarly regardless of the three types of information studied: regular-fat, reduced-fat and taste-related information.Reduced-fat information increased pleasantness ratings of fat spread for those subjects who were classified as concerned about food and health.Acceptance of yogurts and chocolate bars was not affected by information on fat content or taste.Sensory properties such as fattiness, juiciness and flavour intensity were generally rated lower for foods labelled as reduced-fat compared to foods which were labelled as regular-fat.The survey showed that reduced-fat foods were best accepted by females, older subjects and by subjects who were concerned about food and health.Individual involvement with a specific food was observed to be related to differences in acceptance between regular-and reduced-fat products.The results show that the role of different foods in eating habits and individual differences in food-and health-related ideas, attitudes and practices can be used to plan product information and to understand the effects of information on food acceptance.
Source: Työväentutkimus Vuosikirja
Author: Päivi Kähkönen
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2250136981