Tag: Attitudes

Reports

Food and sustainable tourism. Summary.

Published:

01/04/2014

Authors:

Þóra Valsdóttir, Guðjón Þorkelsson

Supported by:

Technology Development Fund

Contact

Þóra Valsdóttir

Project Manager

thora.valsdottir@matis.is

Food and sustainable tourism. Summary.

Food and sustainable tourism was a priority and cluster project to promote environmentally friendly food production and food processing in connection with tourism. The project was carried out by public bodies in the business support system, regional development associations and the University of Iceland. The project was carried out in response to a great deal of interest in local food and the environment in connection with the growing activities in tourism. The emphasis was on supporting entrepreneurs in the development of new products and sales channels that benefit tourism in each area. The innovation segment was successful and had a multiplier effect both domestically, nationally and internationally. At the same time, important research was conducted on sustainability criteria, consumer attitudes and quality and shelf life. The communication and communication part of the project was no less important. This report briefly describes the progress of the project and the main conclusions.

Food and Sustainable Tourism was a 3 year collaboration project between academia, R&D institutions and regional development agencies. In the project focus was put on strengthening small scale local food production to encourage sustainability in tourism. The project was executed as a response to rise in interest in local food and environmental issues within tourism. Focus was put on supporting entrepreneurs developing new products and sales channels. Research on sustainability indicators, consumer attitudes and product quality was carried out. 

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Reports

Attitudes and fish consumption in Iceland 2011

Published:

01/12/2011

Authors:

Kolbrún Sveinsdóttir, Dagný Yrsa Eyþórsdóttir, Gunnþórunn Einarsdóttir, Emilia Martinsdóttir

Supported by:

Student Innovation Fund, Rannís

Contact

Kolbrún Sveinsdóttir

Project Manager

kolbrun.sveinsdottir@matis.is

Attitudes and fish consumption in Iceland 2011

The aim of the study was to examine consumption habits and attitudes related to seafood among Icelanders aged 18-80. A survey was set up online and letters were sent to a sample from Statistics Iceland in June 2011 and responses were received from 525 people. The aim was also to examine the changes that have taken place in Icelanders' attitudes and fish consumption since the last figures were published in 2006 for people aged 18-26. Attitudes and consumption of Icelanders were analyzed by gender, age, place of residence, education, monthly household income before tax, number in the household and number of children under 18 in the household. On average, Icelanders eat fish as a main course about twice a week. Haddock is the most popular species on the tables of the people and is consumed about once a week, followed by cod. On average, Icelanders take fish oil about four times a week, but in total about half of Icelanders take fish oil daily and 62% three times a week or more. In general, Icelanders seem to eat fresh but frozen fish more often and very little is bought from prepared fish dishes chilled or frozen. Attitudes towards eating fish are generally very positive and the vast majority consider fish healthy and good. Most people believe that family has the most encouraging effect on fish consumption and that a wider budget, easier access to fresh fish and a wider range of fish could have an effect on increased fish consumption. There is a big difference between fish consumption and the attitudes of men and women. Women prefer to buy food and place more emphasis on hygiene, freshness, accessibility and price. They are also of the opinion that it is expensive to eat fish. There was a significant difference between age groups, both in terms of total fish consumption frequency, consumption of different fish products and attitudes. Fish consumption increases with age, as does fish oil consumption. The emphasis on hygiene is lower among younger people. There was a difference in the consumption behavior and consumption of different fish species and products according to residence, which can probably be largely explained by traditions and different supply of fish. Most people, especially those in the older age group, find it rather expensive to eat fish. On the other hand, they find fish more valuable than younger ones. However, it seems that the youngest group is even willing to pay more for fish, as they are of the opinion that a wider range of ready-made fish dishes and fish dishes in restaurants could have an effect on increased fish consumption. Positive changes have taken place in fish consumption and attitudes of people aged 18-26 in the last five years. This group is now more in favor of fish and the frequency of fish consumption has increased somewhat, which is mainly explained by increased fish consumption outside the home. Consumption of fish oil and diversity in the choice of seafood seems to have increased. In this age group, there has been an increase in the consumption of fresh fish, sushi, salted fish and chilled semi-prepared dishes.

The aim of the study was to investigate seafood consumption and attitudes among 18‐80 year old Icelanders. A total of 525 people completed a web-based survey. The aim was also to study changes in attitudes and fish consumption in the last five years among people 18-26 years. The data were analyzed by gender, age, residence, education, income, number of household members and number of children below 18 years. On average, the fish consumption frequency (fish as main course) is around two times a week. Haddock is the most frequently consumed fish species and is consumed around one time per week. Fish oil is consumed four times a week on average, but 50% of the participants consume fish oil every day. Fresh fish is more frequently consumed than frozen fish and ready fish meals, chilled or frozen, are rarely bought. Attitudes towards consuming fish are generally very positive. Most people consider family to have the most encouraging influence on their fish consumption and that less stringent finances, easier access to fresh fish and more variety of fish could positively influence their fish consumption. Fish consumption pattern and attitudes differ by gender. Women more frequently purchase food and emphasize more healthy food, freshness, access and price. Large differences were found between different age groups, both regarding fish consumption frequency, fish products and attitudes. Fish consumption and fish oil consumption frequency increase with age. Emphasis on healthy food are less among younger people. Consumption habits and consumption of different fish species and products differ by residence around the country. This can largely be explained by different traditions and different fish supply. Most people, especially in older age groups consider it expensive to consume fish. They are, however, more likely to consider fish money worth compared to younger people. The youngest age group appears though to be ready to pay more for fish as their opinion is that more variety of ready fish meals and fish courses at restaurants could positively influence their fish consumption. The last five years, positive changes in fish consumption and attitudes among people 18-26 years have occurred. This group now consumes fish more frequently, the varity in their choice of seafood has increased. The consumption of fresh fish, sushi, salted cod and chilled oven ready fish meals has increased among this group.

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Reports

Product development of healthier processed meat products

Published:

01/08/2009

Authors:

Aðalheiður Ólafsdóttir, Ólafur Reykdal, Óli Þór Hilmarsson, Gunnþórunn Einarsdóttir, Kolbrún Sveinsdóttir, Þóra Valsdóttir, Emilia Martinsdóttir, Guðjón Þorkelsson

Supported by:

Technology Development Fund, Agricultural Productivity Fund

Contact

Aðalheiður Ólafsdóttir

Sensory evaluation manager

adalheiduro@matis.is

Product development of healthier processed meat products

The goal of the "Healthy Meat Products" project was to develop healthier ready-made meat products with less salt and hard fats. In the product development process, sensory evaluation was used to assess the sensory quality of the products and consumer surveys to check how consumers liked the product. Consumer surveys were conducted both at home and at work. The results of sensory evaluation and consumer surveys were used to decide on changes in the production process to adapt the products to consumer tastes. Microbial and chemical measurements were performed to monitor the shelf life and chemical content of the products. Consumption habits of processed meat products and attitudes towards low-fat and low-salt meat products were studied. The project succeeded in producing fat- and salt-reduced products from three product categories: new meat products, pre-fried meat products and cold cuts. One of those products is now ready for the market. The new product received very good reviews from consumers and even better than the product that was on the market. The other two products have come a long way in product development and the company now has the knowledge and experience to complete that product development and continue with the development of such products. Consumers are generally positive about fat reduction in meat products. However, there is a difference in their answers depending on which product is involved and there is also a difference between the sexes. The vast majority consider low-fat meat products to be healthier than products with a traditional fat content. For consumers, the most important thing is that the product is tasty. Price is also important, but less so. Consumers often make the same quality demands on low-fat and traditional products. Consumers care about the hygiene of meat products but are not willing to replace the taste quality with hygiene. There was a difference in the attitudes of men and women. Women think more about healthy food than men and are more positive about low-fat meat products. They are also more likely to buy low-fat meat products. Women rather than men check whether the product is environmentally friendly. Package information is important. About two-thirds of consumers say they look at fat content when choosing meat products. About half of consumers look at the amount of salt, so it seems that most people care less about the amount of fat. Care must be taken with the labeling and content description of salt and low-fat meat products, as this affects consumers' choices and expectations.

The aim of the project was to develop healthier processed meat products with lower salt and fat content. In the production development process, the sensory attributes of the prototypes were evaluated by a trained sensory panel. Consumer tests were conducted to study the consumer liking of the products. The consumer tests were done in different settings as central location tests and in-home tests. The results from the sensory evaluation and the consumer test were used to make decisions on the next steps in the product development. Microbiological and chemical analysis was performed to estimate the storage life and nutritional status of the products. The consumption pattern and consumer attitudes towards processed meat products with reduced fat- and salt content were studied. In the project the product development of three products in different product categories was successful. One of the products is ready for marketing and consumer tests indicated better liking of this new prototype than of the traditional one. The two other products need further development and the company now has the competence and experience to finalize the development. Consumers are generally in favor of fat-reduced meat products but there is a gender difference and a difference towards different product categories. Most of the consumers believe that fat-reducing meat products are healthier than traditional products. The taste is most important to most consumers and the price is also important. The consumers make the same demands to quality of fat-reduced food as other food. Consumers find the healthiness of food important, but not as important as the taste. Women are more aware of the healthiness of food and they are more positive towards fat-reduce meat products. They are more likely to buy fat reduced food and more aware of environmentally friendly food. The information on the packaging is important. Two thirds of consumers look for the fat content on the food label of the product they buy, but only half of them look at the salt content. Labeling and packaging information is very important as it affects the choice and expectations of the consumers.

Report closed until 01-10-2012

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