Study on the Influence of Food Packaging on the Psychology of Different Groups of Consumers

With the vigorous development of consumer culture in today’s society,various types of food packaging also appear in front of consumers in different forms.There are very big differences in food packaging in terms of shape,color,style and other aspects of information transmission,which have the most direct impact on the audience’s food consumption needs.Driven by the consumption-oriented society,food packaging has shown very obvious comprehensive characteristics,is significantly interdisciplinary,and has close connections with other disciplines.This article will analyze and sort out the impact of food packaging on consumer psychology from different perspectives.

Consumers’ Perception and Knowledge of Food Additives in Senegal: A Pilot Study

Food safety has become a major concern for consumers, as well as a priority for regulatory authorities. Faced with the growing industrial and domestic use of food additives, many questions are being asked and concerns are being felt by consumers around the world. Consumer perception defines the acceptability or rejection of food products, and has an impact on consumption patterns and behavior. To assess the level of knowledge and perception of food additives, a pilot study was carried out on a sample of 200 people in Dakar and Saint-Louis. A questionnaire was used to assess the acceptance or rejection, use and impact of food additives by consumers in Senegal. The results revealed several aspects. On the whole, the people surveyed expressed great mistrust and even rejection of these substances added to food products. This consumer perception is shared throughout the world, as indicated in numerous surveys. It also emerges from this study that, although most consumers are aware of the existence of these additives and their uses in the home, they feel that the use of these substances in industrial production is too excessive. What’s more, consumers associate food additives with numerous pathologies such as cancer, diabetes, hypertension, stroke and even sexual impotence. For some of these indexed pathologies, scientific studies have reached the same conclusions, although controversy still persists. On the other hand, for some of the other adverse effects mentioned, no cause-and-effect relationship has been scientifically demonstrated. In these latter cases, it seems that negative communication, misinformation and misconceptions have a major influence on consumer perception of food additives.

Consumers' perceptions on GM food safety in urban China

The debate about the safety of genetically modified （GM） food has attracted public attention in concurrence with the rapid development of agricultural biotechnology. This paper examines the consumers＇ perceptions on the safety of GM food in China. Based on a unique survey dataset, this study shows that consumers in urban China have significantly changed their perceptions on GM food safety. The percentage of consumers who perceived such food as unsafe for consumption increased by more than 30% in the 2002-2012 period. Approximately half of the consumers did not have an opinion on this issue. Major shifts have been occurred after 2010, likely because of the increasing influence of negative media reports on GM technology in recent years. Several individual and household＇s characteristics are shown to significantly affect consumers＇ perceptions on GM food safety, such as gender, education, food allergy experience and resident city size. The paper concludes with policy implications.

Welfare and Market Impacts of Food Safety Measures in China: Results from Urban Consumers' Valuation of Product Attributes

This study provides an economics assessment of various food safety measures in China. A choice experiment approach is used to elicit Chinese consumer preferences for various food safety attributes using data from a 2008 urban consumer survey. An alternative welfare calculation is used to model aggregate market impacts of select food safety measures. Our results show that the largest welfare gains are found in the current government-run certiifcation program. The implementation of a third-party certiifcation system, a traceability network and a product label would generate signiifcant value and would help reduce current system inefifciencies in China. This study builds on previous research and provides an alternative approach for calculating consumer valuation of safety and quality attributes that can be used to estimate aggregate economic and welfare impacts.

Consumers＇ Perceptions about Food Quality Attributes and Their Incidence in Argentinean Organic Choices

The objective of this paper is to analyze consumers＇ perceptions about risk and quality attributes of food consumption; and to evaluate the incidence of these factors when buying organic products in the Argentinean domestic market. Data derives from a food consumption survey on organic and non-organic consumers conducted in Buenos Aires City, Argentina, in April 2005.The Lancaster model （1966） provided the theoretical basis. The results yielded by the estimated logistic model suggest that consumers with higher educational level, who eat healthy food, and consider food control organisms as ＂inefficient＂ are more likely to buy organic products. A high percentage of consumers read and trust label information in Argentina. This has interesting policy implications to promote differentiated and high value products, and to reduce information asymmetries.

The Research Comment on Organic Food Consumer Behavior

Since the development of organic food,to a great extent,depends on the needs of consumers,the studies on the consumer behavior of organic food would have far-reaching significance to the development of the whole organic food industry. The recent studies in this field mainly include the following four aspects: the consumers' recognition of organic food; the consumers' attitude towards organic food; the consumers' purchase of organic food; the consumers' willingness to pay. The paper would review the recent domestic and foreign studies on the four aspects mentioned above,aiming to provide references to the researches in this field.

Motives Underlying Organic Food Consumption in Turkey： Impact of Health, Environment, and Consumer Values on Purchase Intentions

Raising ecological awareness and health concerns create question marks about healthiness and sustainability of conventional foods in customers＇ minds. Due to augmented mass media coverage of environmental problems, health concerns related to consumption of genetically modified food and/or chemical contaminants in food, and consumers＇ increasing interest in healthy nutrition and environmental protection, there is a growing interest for organic foods in all over the world. Growing interest for organic foods, and increasing production and demand in organic food market has made organic food consumption a significant topic of research. Although organic food market and demand for organic foods have also been growing in Turkey, literature regarding organic food consumption is not very extensive. Therefore, this study aims to understand the underlying motives for organic food consumption in Turkey, and to explore the factors affecting Turkish consumers＇ attitudes towards organic foods and the behavioral intention of Turkish consumers to purchase organic food by the help of the theory of reasoned action （TRA）. The results of 622 successful surveys used for this empirical research indicate that Turkish consumers＇ attitudes towards organic foods are determined by perception of organic foods, consumer values, and price perception, while their purchase intention is determined by health consciousness, perception of organic foods, consumer values, price perception, and environmental concerns.

Chinese Consumers' Awareness,Preferences and Purchasing Behavior on Korean Food

Based on the survey and research of awareness,preferences and purchasing behavior of residents about Korean food and agricultural products in Beijing,Shanghai,Shenyang,Qingdao and Chongqing in 2014,this paper makes a statistical analysis of the influence of consumers' personal characteristics,awareness,buying habits and income on Chinese consumers' identification and purchase of Korean food and agricultural products,and performs an empirical analysis on the purchasing behavior using Tobit model. The results show that consumers' personal characteristics have no significant influence on the purchase of Korean food; consumers' income levels have a significant positive effect on the purchasing amount of Korean food; consumers' location has a significant effect on the purchasing amount; consumers' recognition has a positive effect on consumers' purchasing behavior,but it is not significant.

Motivation Factors of Consumers’ Food Choice

Consumer perception of food products is a very complex phenomenon that is influenced by a wide range of characteristics. The major motivation for food science and nutrition should be sensual features, cost/price balance, and consumer health (sufficient/balanced nutrition). However, there are important differences between theory and reality. Food choice is a complex process influenced by a number of factors related to the product, the consumer, and the consumption context. The role of the consumer in determining the market success of a product is of maximum relevance. Consumer perceptions and preferences are in motion and in change. Understanding and analyzing consumers’ motivation factors, perception and preferences are important both food industry and also governments. In this study, some of these factors were discussed and aimed to identify them with reasons.

Consumer Preference and Willingness to Pay for Non-Plastic Food Containers in Honolulu, USA

Expanded polystyrene (EPS), a petroleum based plastic polystyrene, has an immense environmental impact with a degradation rate of over 500 years, and is a possible human carcinogen that may cause cancer in humans. Nonetheless, EPS is the most commonly used material to produce takeout food containers, a single use item that is quickly discarded. With growing recognition of the high environmental costs of EPS products and their pressure on landfill resources, EPS food container bans have become increasingly popular in jurisdictions across the globe. Similar legislation has been introduced in the state of Hawaii, USA. However, since EPS is currently more cost effective than its alternatives, the widespread adoption of food containers produced with biodegradable materials remains a challenge. This study employs Conjoint Choice Experiment (CCE) to determine consumer preference and willingness to pay for plant-based EPS alternative takeout food containers and their various product attributes in the urban center of Honolulu, Hawaii. Latent Class Analysis (LCA) is used to cluster respondents into four distinct classes based on their observable attributes of choice. Results show that the majority of respondents (81.0%) are in favor of a ban on EPS takeout food containers. As an alternative, the majority of respondents prefer a container constructed out of a sugarcane material (66.49%) that is microwaveable (88.94%), water resistant (100%), and locally produced (51.23%). Moreover, this study demonstrates an increase in consumer’s willingness to pay for more environmentally friendly food containers, which may allow businesses to offset the costs of substituting EPS for biodegradable materials. These findings provide valuable information for farmers, manufacturers, and natural resource managers, and can help to guide decision makers when considering socially responsible and environmentally sustainable policies.

Direct Marketing and Consumer Trust in Organic Food Products： Vilnius （Lithuania） Case

The market of organic food products has a continuous upward trend though the growth rate and sale channels in individual countries are rather different. This research aims to identify the key factors that influence consumers＇ choice to buy organic food products in Lithuania focusing on the consumer trust in the quality and the most acceptable marketing channels. In order to get the necessary information, the residents of Vilnius （the capital of Lithuania）, as having the greatest potential for the organic food market in the country, were interviewed. The analysis of collected data was done using the methods of mathematical statistics and comparison of relative frequencies. The results of this research prove the increasing consumers＇ interest in organic food products. The majority of consumers consider these products to be healthier, better-tasting and fresher. Only about a third of the purchasers （usually buying frequently） can see differences between organic and non-organic products, therefore, there is a problem to distinguish organic food from conventional products and, consequently, remains a possibility to cheat the consumer. An additional quality control and direct sales from known and familiar farmers might increase trust in the quality of organic food products. So far, supermarkets are the most important place to buy organic foods, however, the greater consumer confidence in the quality of organic products bought at farmers＇ markets and the acceptance of the majority of purchasers to buy organic food products directly from the farmers suppose the need to develop a direct marketing system.

Overview of the Consumer Behavior Study in the Markets of Food Products(1998-2018),Based on the Author’s Interpretation of the Consumer's Requirements in the System of Values that Influence on the Consumer Market Behavior

The purpose of this study was to review the results of a 20-year study in the author’s interpretation of the needs for food products and the value system that determines the market behavior of consumers in the food markets.The scientific novelty of the research is the following results:a)The author’s interpretation of the needs for food products,as consisting of three components:(1)The actual need for food(physiological need);(2)the need for emotions obtained from eating(psychological need);and(3)the need for market products that can meet the physiological needs of emotional expectations and social needs(socio-psychological and economic need);b)Interdisciplinary approach to the study of consumer behavior that led to the author’s interpretation of the value of the research methods outlined in the works of J.N.Sheth et al.,extended and supplemented in the study of Galina V.Astratova(1998);c)Identification of the fact that the importance of components in the system of values,according to the results of research,is different for different food products.This allows simulating more clearly the behavior of the consumer in the development of a marketing-mix and developing a marketing strategy based on targeting.

Russian Food Is Gaining Popularity among Chinese Consumers

Russian is proactively tapping into the Chinese food market and China is importing more Russian food.According to statistics from customs,the Sino-Russian trade volume hit$64.2billion in the year of 2015,down 27.8%,and Russia’s exports to China stood at$31.4 billion,down by 19.1%.'It is difficult for Russian companies to nudge into the

Consumers’ Awareness of Genetically Modified Food and Their Willingness to Buy in Yanbian Prefecture

Having a clear understanding of consumers' awareness of genetically modified food and their willingness to buy, plays a very important role in formulating the regulatory policy of genetically modified food and regulating the market of genetically modified food. This paper takes the supermarket consumers as the study object. Through on-site questionnaire survey, we find that consumers' awareness of genetically modified food is not high in Yanbian Prefecture, and their willingness to buy is also low; the prices of genetically modified food, consumers' income, educational level and so on, are the main factors that affect the willingness to buy. Based on this, we put forth the relevant recommendations: increasing publicity efforts to safeguard consumers' right to know and choose; increasing supervision efforts to improve the existing regulatory system of genetically modified food; actively organizing forces to carry out the study on safety of genetically modified food.

The Response of Consumer Food Price Index(CFPI)due to the Impact of Pandemic COVID-19 on Indian Agriculture Sector

India is an agricultural country and a core source of income for the world population.The Indian economy is greatly depending on agriculture that is decrease day by day due to pandemic COVID-19.India is a major exporter of many crop foods.India,Thailand,and Vietnam are the major exports of rice if these stopped exports it reduces the economy up to 15%.A related circumstance is built up with diverse yields too like wheat,sunflower whose fare has been stationary by Kazakhstan,Serbia individually.In India,the end of April is the main source of income to farmers because they sell their rabi crops(wheat,mustard,maize,lentil,chilies,gram,tomatoes)in the market drastically decreases of CFPI may lead to the distress of Indian agricultural economy.The change over time in the price of options on wheat futures reveals increased price volatility in response to growing uncertainty about the COVID-19 impacts.

Consumer confidence and consumers’ preferences for infant formulas in China

A series of safety incidents related to domestically-produced infant formulas(DIFs) almost destroyed Chinese consumer confidence in domestic dairy products. Understanding consumer confidence and its effect on consumption behavior is important to restore consumer confidence and enhance the competitiveness of domestic dairy industry. This article first measures Chinese consumer confidence in DIFs safety using a two-dimension scale(optimism and pessimism) and then investigates its effect on consumers’ preferences for DIFs through a choice experiment. Involving 450 consumers residing in Beijing, Tianjin and Shijiazhuang, the experiment elicited information on their preferences for DIFs with six attributes(organic raw milk, farm-to-table traceability, region of origin, quality certification, animal welfare, and price). Our analysis yields four findings. First, Chinese consumers still lack confidence in DIFs safety. Second, quality certification is the most preferred product characteristic, followed by organic raw milk and farm-to-table traceability. Third, serving as a signal of high quality, price exerts a positive impact on choices of DIFs for pessimistic consumers. Finally, consumer preferences for farm-to-table traceability and region of origin are significantly influenced by consumer confidence.

Confectionery and Child Consumers: Situation and Solution Proposals

The group of child consumers differs significantly from other consumer groups due to the effects of individuals other than themselves on their preferences as well as motivation factors of consumers’ food choices. In recent years, the effect of the relationship between nutrition and health on food preferences has increased. The effects of this relationship on protectionist consumer approaches towards children are more visible. It can be stated that communication channels, especially social media, increase the level of this effect. Foods, which are frequently preferred by child consumers due to their taste and pleasure but contain high calorie value and high sugar levels associated with obesity;are among the foods that are frequently discussed. This situation increases the concern of parents about these foods. In this study, consumption characteristics of sugar and confectionery products and potential alternatives to these products are discussed with the aim of due diligence and seeking solutions. It is important to carry out awareness-raising activities on sugar and sugar products not only for children but also for all socio-economic and age groups, and to develop policies and strategies for this purpose. Computer game-based consumer awareness studies can be used for sugar and confectionery products and for a lively lifestyle in order to provide fast and direct awareness to children. However, first, it is recommended to elaborate due diligence in order to determine the quality and quantity of information and awareness, to identify possible solution proposals with the participation of all stakeholders and to conduct pilot practices based on recommendations. It may be more beneficial to carry out these activities for a specific product and consumer groups rather than the general nutrition and consumer group.

Consumers’ Perception and Attitudes toward Packaged Milk in Turkey—A Descriptive Study

This study was conducted to analyze obtained data by consumer survey about packaged milk as long-life (UHT, ultra-high temperature) and pasteurized fluid milk (PFM). To achieve a 2.83% sampling tolerance, 1222 consumers were interviewed in person, and the data were collected. Although 76.4% of urban consumers (UCs) preferred UHT and PFM, the potential customer rate was 51.1% to 56.9%. In addition, the consumers who identify PFM with negative expression were identified as a high level of 68.4%. The definitions used for UHT can be considered as more neutral. 52.6% of consumers consider that there is a change in the composition of UHT and PFM during the production. The consumer groups (51.3%) thinking that this change is due to the addition of additives stand out. It is possible to assert that the main motivation factor for the negative attitudes of consumers towards UHT and PFM is the distrust of the technology in use.

The Dietary Importance of Kelp-Derived Detritus to Pelagic and Benthic Consumers along the West Coast of Vancouver Island, Canada

Stable isotope analysis was used to determine the relative dietary importance of kelp-derived detritus to plankton and benthic organisms along a gradient of kelp abundance driven by recovering sea otter populations along the west coast of Vancouver Island (WCVI), Canada. The study used region-specific kelp isotope values (δ13C and δ15N) and season-specific phytoplankton isotope values to model dietary contributions of kelp-derived detritus (KDD). In general, KDD contributions were moderate to high in most plankton size fractions during the summer and decreased during the winter, particularly in the kelp sparse region. Hypothesized regional and spatial (distance from the coast) differences in kelp detritus contributions to zooplankton were not evident. Modeled estimates of the KDD contribution to benthic invertebrates were high (>40%) and independent of the organism size, among regions and between seasons, with the exception of Astraea gibberosa in the kelp abundant region. Local oceanography, natural kelp isotope signature variation, and significant overlap between kelps’ and blooming phytoplankton isotope values led to a large uncertainty in the assessed KDD contributions in benthic organisms. These results highlighted the importance of the KDD as a widespread and stable year-round food source in coastal kelp populated regions.

Consumer Response to the Product Carbon Footprint （PCF）

A survey of 277 German participants demonstrates that a Product Carbon Footprint （PCF） label is not yet a suitable instrument for communication with consumers because of the lack of standardized PCF calculation within Europe. Most consumers do not understand either the PCF statement or the PCF calculation. The public message of a PCF label does not conform to the terms of sustainability. At first sight, PCF seems to be an opportunity to communicate the sustainability aspects of food to consumers, but too many different approaches to defining PCF exist in Europe. Additionally, the use of a ＂green＂ PCF label may distort trading conditions because of the lack of PCF-issuing authorities in accordance with World Trade Organization （WTO） standards. Hence, PCF may ultimately deceive consumers through its misapplication if the PCF calculation is not aligned to internationally accepted standards.