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Open Access
Article
Publication date: 29 March 2023

Fabrizio Flavio Baldassarre, Savino Santovito, Raffaele Campo and Giacomo Dilorenzo

Palm oil is widely used in the food industry; however, there are two main controversies connected to its use, namely, its nutritional value and the environmental consequences…

1378

Abstract

Purpose

Palm oil is widely used in the food industry; however, there are two main controversies connected to its use, namely, its nutritional value and the environmental consequences deriving from its crop. In Italy, the use of palm oil has recently been criticized, insomuch that some important bakery companies decided to substitute it, creating a real food marketing case. Through a focus on biscuits, this study is aimed at profiling consumers with regard to palm oil issue to better comprehend if the presence of this ingredient truly influences their food purchases and if they care about the nutritional and environmental aspects, highlighting the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on consumers' consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was administered to 243 subjects in Italy, in order to apply a cluster analysis.

Findings

The findings show the presence of three main kinds of consumers: (1) compromise finders (sensitive to cost savings but trying to privilege palm-oil free food), (2) brand-loyal consumers (palm oil does not influence their preferences) and (3) healthsensitives (the presence of palm oil profoundly affects their choices), who represent the majority of our sample. The results and implications are discussed.

Originality/value

Research on palm oil is essentially focused on chemistry, natural sciences or on its industrial uses: this study analyzes the consumer point of view by applying a different methodology compared to existing studies.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 126 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 10 January 2023

Anil Engez and Leena Aarikka-Stenroos

Successful commercialization is crucial to innovative firms, but further investigation is needed on how diverse stakeholders can contribute to the commercialization of a radical…

1567

Abstract

Purpose

Successful commercialization is crucial to innovative firms, but further investigation is needed on how diverse stakeholders can contribute to the commercialization of a radical innovation that requires particular market creation support. This paper aims to, therefore, analyze the key stakeholders and their contributive activities in commercialization and market creation, particularly in the case of radical innovations.

Design/methodology/approach

This study relies on qualitative research design including interviews with key stakeholders, such as regulators, scientists, experts, licensing partners, core company representatives and extensive secondary data. This single-case study concerns a functional food product, which is a radical innovation requiring the development of a novel product category positioned between the food and medicine categories in global market settings. Since its market launch in 1995, the involvement of multiple stakeholders was needed for its successful commercialization in over 30 countries.

Findings

Results uncover the contributions of diverse stakeholders to commercialization and market creation, particularly of radical innovation. Stakeholders performed market creation activities such as regulating the marketing and labeling of food products, conducting safety assessments, revealing and validating the positive health effects of the novelty and raising awareness of healthy living and cardiovascular health. The commercialization activities included distributing the products overseas, applying the ingredient to different food products and making the products available for users.

Research limitations/implications

This single-case study provides an overview of the positive stakeholder activities with contributions to market creation and commercialization of functional food innovations. Although the user perspective was not included in the empirical part of this study because of our focus on B2B actors, users of the innovation can contribute to R&D activities to a great extent.

Originality/value

The developed framework of stakeholders’ contributive activities in radical innovation commercialization and market creation contributes to literature discussing market creation as well as commercialization within the marketing and innovation management research fields. This work also generates practical advice for managers who commercialize (radical) innovations.

Details

Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, vol. 38 no. 13
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0885-8624

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 February 2023

Florina Ruta, Avram Calin, Mihai Timus, Remus Sipos and Liviu Ciucan-Rusu

This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and consumption of healthy foods, respectively, of oils as sources of omega-3 and dietary supplements with omega-3, among a population of…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and consumption of healthy foods, respectively, of oils as sources of omega-3 and dietary supplements with omega-3, among a population of young people in the center of Romania. With the objectives of identifying the factors that can influence the consumption of healthy fats and the orientation toward actions to promote less known food resources, in order to diversify the healthy food intake, the long-term improvement of the health-related effects of food.

Design/methodology/approach

One of the most important aspects of health is nutrition and its role in reducing the incidence of chronic diseases is supported by scientific data. In this research, the authors analyzed the level of information and the factors determining food choices with particular reference to the consumption of healthy fats and/or supplements from these fats, in order to highlight the behavior of individuals in relation to food. For this purpose, a questionnaire about food and healthy fats (omega-3) consumption and frequency was applied to the food groups of interest, along with other factors pertaining to lifestyle. The questionnaire distributed online mainly included questions related to the consumption of fats and the respondents' knowledge about them. The interest in participating in the study was manifested mainly in the young age segment. The collected data were analyzed statistically was done through Graph Pad Prism ver. 9 software with the establishment of a statistical significance threshold of 0.05.

Findings

There is a certain degree of superficiality in the knowledge of the importance and use of foods rich in omega-3. The statistically significant association has been identified both between age and the rules established in the family for observing the schedule of meals and between age and benefiting from an evaluation of the eating behavior. Statistically significant association has also been observed between the level of education and the knowledge on the health benefits of vegetable oils. The statistically significant association was also present between the level of education and the respondents' appreciation of the essential role of eating behavior in disease prevention.

Originality/value

Identifying the consumer profile in relation to their attitude toward healthy foods, especially fats, in order to adapt nutritional interventions with the aim to promote healthy food choices that have an impact on the health of the individual and also of the population.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 125 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 February 2023

Hannah Weiss, Rebecca D. Russell, Lucinda Black and Andrea Begley

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that causes debilitating symptoms. Currently, there is insufficient evidence to recommend a…

Abstract

Purpose

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that causes debilitating symptoms. Currently, there is insufficient evidence to recommend a special diet for people with MS to slow disease progression and reduce symptoms. Little is known about the dietary choices made by people with MS. This study aimed to explore the interpretations of healthy eating in people recently diagnosed with MS. Objectives were to investigate the types of changes in food choices and to describe the impact of making these changes.

Design/methodology/approach

A social constructionist approach applying qualitative secondary analysis of semi-structured interviews was conducted (n = 11). Interviews were transcribed, coded and analysed using a deductive approach.

Findings

Participants were mostly female (82%), mean age 47 years and mean time since diagnosis eight months. Four themes emerged from the data: (1) moving in the direction of the dietary guidelines, (2) modifying intake of dietary fat, (3) requiring mental effort and (4) needing input from a dietitian.

Practical implications

The directions of food choices and the absence of dietetic input highlighted in this study suggest the need for evidence-based nutrition education that enables people with MS to tailor dietary guidelines according to their preferences.

Originality/value

How people interpret healthy eating advice and the impact on making food choice changes is useful for explaining dietary changes in MS. Special diets promoted for MS provide conflicting advice, and the lack of access to dietitians means that additional mental effort is required when interpreting healthy eating messages and diets.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 125 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 May 2023

Lei Li, Junfei Bai and Qiubo Zhu

The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of rising food prices on food demand and nutrient intake among rural–urban migrants and whether such impact varies across income…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of rising food prices on food demand and nutrient intake among rural–urban migrants and whether such impact varies across income classes.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), this study adopts a quadratic almost ideal demand system (QUAIDS) for food demand elasticity and an indirect estimation method for nutrient elasticity to investigate the effects of rising food prices on food demand and nutrient intake among rural–urban migrants.

Findings

The estimated results indicate that an increase in the price of pork alone would lead to a larger reduction in most nutrients among rural–urban migrants than other single targeted food group, and a simultaneous rise in the price of all food groups would have a remarkably adverse effect on the nutritional status of rural–urban migrants in comparison to the nutritional effects of a rise in one targeted food group. In addition, the nutritional effects of food prices across income classes show that the nutritional status is particularly vulnerable to rising food prices among low-income rural–urban migrants.

Originality/value

This paper focuses on analyzing the impact of rising food prices on the nutritional status of rural–urban migrants, a topic that is very limited in the literature. This study provides a fresh look at the effect of volatile food prices on food demand and nutrient intake among rural–urban migrants. The results indicate that income growth would have a remarkable positive effect on nutrient intake for rural–urban migrants, especially for low-income rural–urban migrants. However, an increment in nutrients due to a growth in income would not be far from enough to cover the reduction in nutrients as a result of a simultaneous rise in price of all the studied food categories at the same rate.

Details

China Agricultural Economic Review, vol. 15 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1756-137X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 December 2022

Hande Bakırhan, Fatmanur Özyürek Arpa, Halime Uğur, Merve Pehlivan, Neda Saleki and Tuğba Çelik

This study aims to identify the dietary patterns of two groups of subjects (with and without COVID-19), and to assess the relationship of findings with the prognosis of COVID-19…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to identify the dietary patterns of two groups of subjects (with and without COVID-19), and to assess the relationship of findings with the prognosis of COVID-19 and metabolic risk parameters.

Design/methodology/approach

This study included 100 individuals in the age range of 19–65 years. The medical history, and data on biochemical, hematological and inflammatory indicators were retrieved from the files. A questionnaire for the 24-h food record and the food intake frequency was administered in face-to-face interviews, and dietary patterns of subjects were assessed.

Findings

In individuals with COVID-19, the hip circumference, the waist-hip ratio and the body fat percentage were significantly higher (p < 0.05), and the muscle mass percentage was significantly lower (p < 0.05). Mediterranean diet adherence screener (MEDAS), dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) and healthy eating ındex-2015 (HEI-2015) scores were low in the two groups. A linear correlation of DASH scores was found with the muscle mass percentage (p = 0.046) and a significant inverse correlation of with the body fat percentage (p = 0.006). HEI-2015 scores were significantly and negatively correlated with body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, hip circumference and neck circumference (p < 0.05). Every one-unit increase in MEDAS, DASH and HEI-2015 scores caused reductions in C-reactive protein levels at different magnitudes. Troponin-I was significantly and negatively correlated with fruit intake (p = 0.044), a component of a Mediterranean diet and with HEI-2015 total scores (p = 0.032).

Research limitations/implications

The limitation of this study includes the small sample size and the lack of dietary interventions. Another limitation is the use of the food recall method for the assessment of dietary patterns. This way assessments were performed based on participants’ memory and statements.

Practical implications

Following a healthy diet pattern can help reduce the metabolic risks of COVİD-19 disease.

Originality/value

Despite these limitations, this study is valuable because, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first study demonstrating the association of dietary patterns with disease prognosis and metabolic risks concerning COVID-19. This study suggests that dietary patterns during the COVID-19 process may be associated with several metabolic risks and inflammatory biomarkers.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science , vol. 53 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 9 October 2023

Aref Momeni, Soodeh Razeghi Jahromi, Mitra KazemiJahromi, Farshad Teymoori, Hossein Farhadnejad and Rouhollah Haghshenas

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of the empirical dietary index for insulin resistance (EDIR) and empirical lifestyle index for insulin resistance…

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association of the empirical dietary index for insulin resistance (EDIR) and empirical lifestyle index for insulin resistance (ELIR) with the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in Iranian adults.

Design/methodology/approach

In this case-control study, 120 cases of NAFLD and 240 controls aged ≥20 years were included. NAFLD was detected by a gastroenterologist using an ultrasonography test. The food frequency questionnaire was used to collect nutritional data and determine the score of EDIR in participants. ELIR was determined based on body mass index, physical activity and dietary pattern. The odds ratios (ORs) of NAFLD were reported across tertiles of EDIR and ELIR using a logistic regression test.

Findings

The mean±SD age and BMI of subjects were 41.8 ± 7.5 years and 27.4 ± 2.2 kg/m2, respectively. In the age and sex-adjusted model, the odds of NAFLD were increased across tertiles of ELIR (OR = 3.00; 95% CI: 1.63–5.55, Ptrend = 0.001). Also, based on the fully adjusted model, the odds of NAFLD were increased according to tertiles of ELIR (OR = 2.66; 95% CI: 1.38–5.10, Ptrend = 0.006). However, no significant association was found between the higher score of EDIR and odds of NAFLD based on the age and sex-adjusted model (OR = 1.18; 95% CI: 0.68–2.05, Ptrend = 0.52) and the multivariable-adjusted model (OR = 0.91; 95% CI: 0.48–1.70, Ptrend = 0.87).

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this was the first study to examine the role of the insulinemic potential of diet and lifestyle in predicting NAFLD risk. Our findings suggested that a lifestyle with a higher score of ELIR was positively associated with NAFLD risk. However, a diet with a higher score of EDIR was not related to the odds of NAFLD.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science , vol. 54 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 January 2024

Shirin Hassanizadeh, Zahra Darabi, Maryam Khosravi, Masoud Mirzaei and Mahdieh Hosseinzadeh

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant mortality and morbidity worldwide. However, the role of dietary patterns as a potential risk factor for COVID-19 has not been well…

Abstract

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant mortality and morbidity worldwide. However, the role of dietary patterns as a potential risk factor for COVID-19 has not been well established, especially in studies with large samples. Therefore, this study aims to identify and evaluate the association between major dietary patterns and COVID-19 among adults from Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

In this cross-sectional study, the authors included 9,189 participants aged 20–70 who participated in the Yazd Health Study (YaHS) and Taghzieh Mardom-e-Yazd study (TAMIZ). They used factor analysis to extract dietary patterns based on a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Then, they assessed the relationship between these dietary patterns and the odds of COVID-19.

Findings

This study identified two major dietary patterns: “high protein and high fiber” and “transitional”. Participants in the highest tertile of the “high protein and high fiber” dietary pattern, which included vegetables, fruits, dairy and various kinds of meats such as red meat, fish and poultry, had a lower odds of COVID-19 compared with those in the lowest tertile. However, the “transitional” dietary pattern did not affect the risk of COVID-19.

Originality/value

In conclusion, a “high protein, high fiber” diet may lower the odds of COVID-19. This study suggests that dietary patterns may influence the severity and spread of future similar pandemics.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science , vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 December 2023

Norshamliza Chamhuri, Nur Syahirah Che Lah, Peter J. Batt, Muhammad Nadzif Bin Ramlan, Norain Mod Asri and Azrina Abdullah Al-Hadi

Palm oil has consistently been a staple ingredient in the Malaysian diet. Despite various promotional efforts throughout the years, the health aspects of palm oil have often been…

Abstract

Purpose

Palm oil has consistently been a staple ingredient in the Malaysian diet. Despite various promotional efforts throughout the years, the health aspects of palm oil have often been undervalued, leading consumers to overlook its benefits. This study has two objectives: (1) to explore consumer behaviour in purchasing decisions for food products containing palm oil in an emerging market and (2) to examine consumer awareness of palm oil as an ingredient in various edible products related to health.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative methodology that utilises a self-administered questionnaire was adopted for data collection. The conceptual framework and hypotheses were tested using partial least squares (PLS) structural equation modelling (SEM) on a dataset of 342 respondents.

Findings

The findings revealed that three hypotheses – attitude, subjective norms (SNs) and perceived health benefits – positively impact the intention to purchase palm-oil-based food products. Additionally, results indicate that Malaysian consumers practice sustainable consumption when purchasing palm-oil-based food products.

Originality/value

There is a need for a greater understanding of the importance perceived health benefits have in influencing consumers' consumption of food products containing palm oil in an emerging market such as Malaysia. This research study addresses the gap in existing knowledge.

Details

British Food Journal, vol. 126 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0007-070X

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 9 November 2023

Aleksandra Kowalska, Sophia Lingham, Damian Maye and Louise Manning

Applying mitigation measures during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in ‘locking down’ of economies, and disrupted agri-food markets worldwide. Income losses and food price…

Abstract

Research Background

Applying mitigation measures during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in ‘locking down’ of economies, and disrupted agri-food markets worldwide. Income losses and food price increases negatively affected food security. The ‘stay-at-home’ policy led some households towards a positive shift in eating habits and maintaining these changes could contribute to better nutrition. The Russia–Ukraine war and soaring energy and food prices contributes further to the pressure on the global food system and urgency to consider longer term resilience capacities of national food systems.

Purpose of the Chapter

The aim of the chapter is to identify and review food security challenges that governments and societies have faced during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond, with specific emphasis on Poland.

Methodology

The methodological approach was to undertake a narrative literature review and to analyse a number of indicators relating to food security at the national level. These were quantified using data from Economist Impact, the World Bank, the European Commission, FAOSTAT and Statistics Poland.

Findings

The 2019–2022 Global Food Security Index for Poland remained quite stable, but the number of food insecure people increased significantly. Hence, urgent government measures are needed to ensure food security for all. Since 2021, high food inflation has reduced food affordability and is expected to remain high due to the Russia-Ukraine war, market pressures on energy prices and climate-related weather conditions. Greater food self-sufficiency in Poland is a key strategy to build up the resilience of the national food system.

Details

Modeling Economic Growth in Contemporary Poland
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83753-655-9

Keywords

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