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1 – 4 of 4Lucia Espinosa-Brisset, Caroline Pénicaud, Isabelle Souchon and Anne Saint-Eve
The purpose of this paper is to better understand consumer's familiarity with fruit processing as well as how fruit production conditions (organic and conventional farming)…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to better understand consumer's familiarity with fruit processing as well as how fruit production conditions (organic and conventional farming), processing conditions (homemade, artisanal and industrial) and the type of processing (e.g. applesauce, apple cider and apple sorbet) influence consumer perceptions of processed fruits.
Design/methodology/approach
An online survey questionnaire was applied to 1,000 people living in France. The people represented different genders, ages (18–60+) and sociodemographic categories. Participants were categorized based on their produce purchasing habits (conventional, local, organic, local-organic). The questionnaire contained multiple choice and five point Likert scale questions. Data were analyzed using non-parametric tests.
Findings
The authors found that participants saw year-round availability, fruit preservation and food waste reduction as processing advantages. Locally sourced products were preferred to organic products. The perceived disadvantages to processing were additive usage, nutrient loss and packaging. For consumers, these disadvantages drove highly differentiated perceptions of industrial versus artisanal/homemade apple products. Processing conditions appeared to matter far more than production conditions (organic vs. conventional). In general, consumers weren't familiar with processing operations, awareness was greater for consumers of local and/or organic produce than conventional consumers.
Social implications
There must be a societal transition toward healthier diets, and food technologies. Informed consumers, might be better equipped to make healthy, informed choices if the consumers are given quality information about food production and processing at different levels.
Originality/value
Research has shown that consumers view fresh organic fruit positively, but only few studies have looked at perceptions of processed fruit products and their familiarity with processing operations. Results of this study demonstrate that consumers could make better choices if the consumers are given quality information about fruit production and processing.
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Theocharis Moysiadis, Konstantina Spanaki, Ayalew Kassahun, Sabine Kläser, Nicolas Becker, George Alexiou, Nikolaos Zotos and Iliada Karali
Traceability of food is of paramount importance to the increasingly sustainability-conscious consumers. Several tracking and tracing systems have been developed in the AgriFood…
Abstract
Purpose
Traceability of food is of paramount importance to the increasingly sustainability-conscious consumers. Several tracking and tracing systems have been developed in the AgriFood sector in order to prove to the consumers the origins and processing of food products. Critical challenges in realizing food's traceability include cooperating with multiple actors on common data sharing standards and data models.
Design/methodology/approach
This research applies a design science approach to showcase traceability that includes preharvest activities and conditions in a case study. The authors demonstrate how existing data sharing standards can be applied in combination with new data models suitable for capturing transparency information about plant production.
Findings
Together with existing studies on farm-to-fork transparency, our results demonstrate how to realize transparency from field to fork and enable producers to show a complete bill of sustainability.
Originality/value
The existing standards and data models address transparency challenges in AgriFood chains from the moment of harvest up to retail (farm-to-fork) relatively well, but not what happens before harvest. In order to address sustainability concerns, there is a need to collect data about production activities related to product quality and sustainability before harvesting and share it downstream the supply chain. The ability to gather data on sustainability practices such as reducing pesticide, herbicide, fertilizer and water use are crucial requirements for producers to market their produce as quality and sustainable products.
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Lochan Singh and Vijay Singh Sharanagat
Nature and occurrence of food-borne pathogens in raw and processed food products evolved greatly in the past few years due to new modes of transmission and resistance build-up…
Abstract
Purpose
Nature and occurrence of food-borne pathogens in raw and processed food products evolved greatly in the past few years due to new modes of transmission and resistance build-up against sundry micro-/macro-environmental conditions. Assurance of food health and safety thus gained immense importance, for which bio-sensing technology proved very promising in the detection and quantification of food-borne pathogens. Considering the importance, different studies have been performed, and different biosensors have been developed. This study aims to summarize the different biosensors used for the deduction of food-borne pathogens.
Design/methodology/approach
The present review highlights different biosensors developed apropos to food matrices, factors governing their selection, their potential and applicability. The paper discusses some related key challenges and constraints and also focuses on the needs and future research prospects in this field.
Findings
The shift in consumers’ and industries’ perceptions directed the further approach to achieve portable, user and environmental friendly biosensing techniques. Despite of these developments, it was still observed that the comparison among the different biosensors and their categories proved tedious on a single platform; since the food matrices tested, pathogen detected or diagnosed, time of detection, etc., varied greatly and very few products have been commercially launched. Conclusively, a challenge lies in front of food scientists and researchers to maintain pace and develop techniques for efficiently catering to the needs of the food industry.
Research limitations/implications
Biosensors deduction limit varied with the food matrix, type of organism, material of biosensors’ surface, etc. The food matrix itself consists of complex substances, and various types of food are available in nature. Considering the diversity of food there is a need to develop a universal biosensor that can be used for all the food matrices for a pathogen. Further research is needed to develop a pathogen-specific biosensor that can be used for all the food products that may have accuracy to eliminate the traditional method of deduction.
Originality/value
The present paper summarized and categorized the different types of biosensors developed for food-borne pathogens.
Graphical abstract
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Mohd Javaid, Shahbaz Khan, Abid Haleem and Shanay Rab
Modern technologies are seen as an essential component of the fourth industrial revolution (industry 4.0) and their adoption is vital to transform the existing manufacturing…
Abstract
Purpose
Modern technologies are seen as an essential component of the fourth industrial revolution (industry 4.0) and their adoption is vital to transform the existing manufacturing system into industry 4.0-based manufacturing system. Therefore, the primary objective of this research explores the barriers of modern technology adoption and their mitigating solutions in order to align with Industry 4.0 objectives.
Design/methodology/approach
Barriers to adopting modern technologies and respective mitigating solutions are identified from the available literature. Further, these barriers are ranked with the help of expert opinions by using the BWM method appropriately. The identified solutions are ranked using the combined compromise solution (CoCoSo) method.
Findings
Several modern technologies and their capabilities are recognised to support the industry 4.0-based manufacturing systems. This study identifies 22 barriers to the effective adoption of modern technologies in manufacturing and 14 solutions to overcome these barriers. Change management, the high initial cost of technology and appropriate support infrastructure are the most significant barriers. The most prominent solutions to overcome the most considerable barriers are ‘supportive research, development and commercialisation environment’, ‘updated policy and effective implementation’ and ‘capacity building through training’ that are the top three solutions that need to be addressed.
Research limitations/implications
The barriers and solutions of modern technology adoption are obtained through a comprehensive literature review, so there is a chance to ignore some significant barriers and their solutions. Furthermore, ranking barriers and solutions is done with expert opinion, which is not free from biases.
Practical implications
This identification and prioritisation of barriers will help managers to understand the barriers so they can better prepare themselves. Furthermore, the suggested solutions to overcome these barriers are helpful for the managers and could be strategically adopted through optimal resource utilisation.
Originality/value
This study proposes a framework to identify and analyse the significant barriers and solutions to adopting modern technologies in the manufacturing system. It might be helpful for manufacturing organisations that are willing to transform their manufacturing system into industry 4.0.
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