The purpose of this study was to examine the usefulness, attitude for using on food labeling such as nutrition labeling, organic food labeling and food additives labeling, and purchase intention in Korean housewives and university students. A total of 320 subjects participated in study from October to November in 2008. They answered to developed questionnaire and 300 subjects (149 housewives, 151 students) completed all questions. The statistical analyses were performed using by SPSS 17.0 package program. The rates of checking the nutrition labeling, organic food labeling and food additives labeling were 57.3%, 57.2% and 63.3%, respectively. Comparing housewives with university students, housewives showed significantly more positive usefulness, attitude for using, purchase intention in some questions about nutrition labeling, organic food labeling and food additives labeling (p < 0.05). Subjects who checked each food labeling on purchasing had more positive usefulness, attitude for using and purchase intention in all questions (p < 0.01). For nutrition labeling and organic food labeling, usefulness (each value of beta was 0.362, 0.354) and attitude for using (each value of beta was 0.336, 0.301) were independent factors for purchase intention (p < 0.001). For food additives labeling, only usefulness had an effect on purchase intention. In conclusion, usefulness, attitude for using food labeling and purchase intention were different between housewives and university students. Moreover, usefulness and attitude for using food labeling affected positively on purchase intention.
Food Additives ; Food Labeling ; Food, Organic ; Humans ; Intention ; Surveys and Questionnaires

This study investigated the correlations of five constructs - health concerns, healthy eating practices and attitudes, food choice motives, attitudes toward organic foods - in the formation of behavioral to the purchasing intentions of organic foods. An instrument encompassing health perception, attitudes, habits and personal traits was developed through the comprehensive reviews of the literature and the assured validity and internal reliability of the contents. The questionnaire was administered to the students of three universities at Daegu, Kyungpook province. A total of 288 questionnaires were collected for a response rate of 96.0%. The correlations of five constructs and purchasing intention were tested simultaneously using structural equation modeling. Healthy eating practices and attitudes toward organic foods were found to be the determinants which directly influence the intention to purchase organic foods. Health concerns didn't show direct relation to the purchasing intention of organic foods. The hypothesized path from the health concerns to the purchasing intentions was not supported. The results indicated that food choice motives and healthy eating attitudes should be managed to achieve higher behavioral intention to purchase organic foods.
Eating ; Food, Organic ; Humans ; Intention ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Recently, according to increase in production of pond snails resulting from the widespread organic farming, organic farmers are showing a lot of interests in the promotion of consumption and extending the market of pond snails. This study was performed to suggest the process of product development of the ready-to-eat pond-snail Mandu as a health food, to show the results of market test of the pilot product, and to investigate the change of the sensory characteristics during storage periods. For the market test of pond-snail Mandu, the survey was developed and delivered to consumers. The questionnaire consisted of 3 parts such as respondents demographic characteristics, customer's perception of pond-snail Mandu before tasting, and customer's perception of that after tasting. And the market test was carried out with university students, welfare institution residents and apartment residents in the Seoul and Gyeonggi areas. As a result of the test, the most important purchasing factors were determined in the order of taste (49.5%), hygienic quality (12.5%), nutritional value (10%) and price (9%). And only 4.2% of respondents selected brand name as an important purchasing factor. After tasting pondsnail Mandu, consumers had suggested the better taste (t = 6.986, p < 0.000) and price (t = 2.082, p < 0.05) than those of before tasting. In response to favorable impression of pond-snail Mandu, 54.5% of total respondents evaluated positively. The favorable impressions came from iron-rich Mandu (27.6%), high protein and nutritious Mandu (24.4%), calcium-rich Mandu (17.9%), diet Mandu (13.3%), and delicious Mandu (12.5%) respectively. Sensory characteristics of pond-snail Mandu were evaluated by professional panels in terms of the softness of Mandu skin, chewiness, moistness, toothpacking, color, aroma, saltiness, and degree of plain, taste, and aftertaste. The evaluation of sensory characteristics on a 7-point scale, showed that softness of mandu skin (4.44) and aftertaste (4.11) got a low scores. The statistical difference of the tastes (p > 0.05) was not founded by storage period of 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. Based on the result, the improvement of these characteristics are desired in developing the pond-snail Mandu. Research method applied to this study can be useful for developing a new product.
Surveys and Questionnaires ; Diet ; Gyeonggi-do ; Food, Organic* ; Humans ; Nutritive Value ; Organic Agriculture ; Ponds ; Seoul ; Skin ; Snails

This study was conducted to investigate housewives' perception, interest and consumption of health drinks made in a health food stores, and to assess the relationship between nutritionally-related-variables and the consumption of health drinks. Data was collected from 518 housewives in Chonnam province. Among many items which housewives perceived about health drinks, three factors of 'preference health-care', 'quality convenience' and 'price' were found to be represented. Housewives' perception of 'preference health-care' was negatively correlated with nutritional knowledge. However, a positive correlation between the 'quality convenience' and eating habits was found. Consumption of health drinks was positively correlated with the diet management score, the perception and interest in health drinks. However, the inverse relationship between consumption of health drinks and nutritional knowledge was observed. Multiple regression analysis showed that the interest and factors of perception of health drinks. Consumption of health drinks was not based upon accurate knowledge concerning nutrition, but was based upon the consumers' perception of taste preference and healthful quality. Therefore, there is a need to educate consumers about the nutritional value of health drinks and how to use nutritional supplements.
Diet ; Eating ; Food, Organic* ; Jeollanam-do ; Nutritive Value

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the operation needs of school meal support centers (SMSC) in Chungnam-do based on analysis of nutrition teachers' perception of them. METHODS: The Chungnam government established the first SMSC in 2012. Thirteen SMSCs are currently being operated in Chungnam-do. To analyze the results quantitatively, we investigated nutrition teachers opinions regarding the necessity for SMSCs as a dependent variable and derived the independent variables based on the causal relationships with dependent variables using the ordered logit model. Those independent variables included region, school type, number of students, attitude regarding free meal policy, satisfaction with school meal policy, and preference for local food. RESULTS: Briefly, teachers in the region in which the SMSC was located more strongly supported the SMSC. In addition, teachers in public schools with a smaller number of students believed that having a SMSC is more beneficial, and that other variables also affected the necessity for SMSCs. Moreover, nutrition teachers preferred local foods rather than organic foods because of the unstable supply of organic foods. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, it was recommended that the local government implement the policy consistently. Moreover, it was recommended that the government operate the SMSC more efficiently, enhance the roles of the SMSC as the local organization responsible for student nutritional planing and expand the coverage of agricultural products.
Chungcheongnam-do ; Food, Organic ; Humans ; Local Government ; Logistic Models ; Meals

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the operation needs of school meal support centers (SMSC) in Chungnam-do based on analysis of nutrition teachers' perception of them. METHODS: The Chungnam government established the first SMSC in 2012. Thirteen SMSCs are currently being operated in Chungnam-do. To analyze the results quantitatively, we investigated nutrition teachers opinions regarding the necessity for SMSCs as a dependent variable and derived the independent variables based on the causal relationships with dependent variables using the ordered logit model. Those independent variables included region, school type, number of students, attitude regarding free meal policy, satisfaction with school meal policy, and preference for local food. RESULTS: Briefly, teachers in the region in which the SMSC was located more strongly supported the SMSC. In addition, teachers in public schools with a smaller number of students believed that having a SMSC is more beneficial, and that other variables also affected the necessity for SMSCs. Moreover, nutrition teachers preferred local foods rather than organic foods because of the unstable supply of organic foods. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, it was recommended that the local government implement the policy consistently. Moreover, it was recommended that the government operate the SMSC more efficiently, enhance the roles of the SMSC as the local organization responsible for student nutritional planing and expand the coverage of agricultural products.
Chungcheongnam-do ; Food, Organic ; Humans ; Local Government ; Logistic Models ; Meals

The purpose of this study is to know about the consumption patterns of functional foods and their associated factors for contributing to the promotion of healthiness on Gwangju residents. The results obtained are summarized as follows: in terms of age, 35.9% of men (n = 78) and 52.3% of women (n = 128) are found in the age range of 45~54 which comprises the highest portion of age distribution. 49.5% of subjects had college education or more. In the occupation category, 33.3% of the men had business job positions, and 39.8% of women were in the unemployed (housewife) category. Stress relief was the most important factor to maintain good health. 76.2% of the subjects have experience in consuming functional foods. The main reason for taking functional foods was to maintain health. Information and reliability of effectiveness were considered when selecting functional foods. Purchasing functional foods was motivated by family members, relatives, and/or the subjects themselves. Functional foods were mainly purchased from pharmacies or health food stores. Regular exercise, drinking, periodical medical checkups, and eating score all are taken into consideration with the consumption of functional foods.77.9% of subjects recognized functions for functional foods purchased. 18.8% of subjects experienced side effects after intaking functional food. Therefore, functional foods should be managed by the government and nutrition education for consumers should be required to encourage them to choose functional foods more satisfactorily and safely.
Age Distribution ; Commerce ; Drinking ; Eating ; Education ; Female ; Functional Food* ; Gwangju* ; Food, Organic ; Humans ; Male ; Occupations ; Pharmacies

OBJECTIVE: To study the relevant information on the label of health food in Changsha, and provide scientific evidence for health food hygienic supervision. METHODS: Investigation was conducted in department stores, supermarkets, pharmacies, and wholesale markets in the 5 districts in Changsha with multistage stratified sampling method. Self designed basic information of health food questionnaire was used to investigate the quality of labels the health food products. RESULTS: Among the 408 random samples, the unidentified rates of label items were ranked in descending order: functional components (49.8%), unsuited community (27.9%), manufacturing date (23.0%), approval number and others (9.6%). The qualified rates of labels were different in different management types (χ(2)=59.793, P<0.05): the highest rate was in supermarkets (71.15%), followed by pharmacies (70.07%), shopping malls (57.47%), and wholesale markets (26.23%). CONCLUSION The supervision of label identities of health food should be strengthened, especially for the health food in the wholesale markets.
China ; Dietary Supplements ; Food Labeling ; Food, Organic ; Humans ; Sampling Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVEIn order to guarantee the safety of health foods, a safety evaluation system has been initially proposed.

METHODBased on both experienced and experimental safe data of health foods, different safety criteria could be divided.

RESULTA safety evaluation system with five criteria has been finally established, ingredients listed in the first three safe criteria were suitable for health foods.

CONCLUSIONThis system could be applied for the selection of relevant ingredients of health foods at R&D stage, and it would be improved after certain period of implementation.

Consumer Product Safety ; Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Food Analysis ; methods ; Food Contamination ; analysis ; Food, Organic ; adverse effects ; classification ; standards

This study was performed to investigate the kinds of health food advertised and sold through media like printed matter, TV broadcasting or internet. It was found that fifty three percent of the health food was circulated through internet, 27% through printed matter, 9% through TV Broadcasting. When the health foods was classified, the proportion of special purpose nutritious foods was 36.1%, health aid foods 33.9%, uncooked powdered foods 18.5%, functional foods for health 4.9%, Ginseng products 3.9%, and tea 0.9%. The special purpose nutritious foods was composed of 59% of nutrition supplementary foods, 24% of dietary fiber foods, 9% of weaning foods, 7% of milk formula and 2% of HCA. Vegetable extracts occupied 21.1% of health aid foods, yeast 7.5%, mushroom extracts 7.0%, chitosan 6.2%, aloe 5.3%. Dried powdered type health food occupied the highest proportion. The other type were capsule(18.8%), tablet(18.1%), and liquid type(16.4%). When the health food was classified with health claim, the proportion of "nutrition supplementation" was the highest (23.9%), "diet" 14.9%, "ergogenic"(18.8%), "promoting bowel movement" 7.8%, "growth" 5.7%, "regulation of blood sugar" 4.5%, "improving of immunity"(2.4%) and anti-aging effect(2.4%).
Agaricales ; Aloe ; Chitosan ; Classification* ; Dietary Fiber ; Functional Food ; Food, Organic* ; Internet* ; Mass Media* ; Milk ; Panax ; Tea ; Vegetables ; Weaning ; Yeasts