British Food Journal

John G. Knight; Damien W. Mather; David K. Holdsworth

doi: 10.1108/00070700510615035pmid: N/A

Purpose – Many countries have held back from planting genetically modified (GM) food crops due to perceived negative reaction in export and domestic markets. Three lines of research have tested the reality of this fear. Design/methodology/approach – In‐depth interviews were conducted in European countries with key companies and organisations in the European food sector. Supermarket intercepts were used to ascertain purchasing intent for products from countries that do or do not produce GM crops. A purchasing experiment was conducted, where cherries labelled as GM, organic or conventional were on sale in a roadside stall. Findings – Food distribution channel members expressed concern about possibility of contamination or mix‐up between GM and non‐GM food. However, presence of GM crops in a country does not cause negative perception of food in general from that country. Approximately 30 per cent of consumers in the purchasing experiment proved willing to purchase GM cherries when there was a defined consumer benefit – either lower price or spray‐free. Practical implications – Countries that have not yet planted GM food crops need to be cautious about possible negative impacts on channel member perceptions of non‐GM versions of the same crop from the same country. However, planting GM crops does not appear likely to damage the overall reputation of a food‐supplying country. GM applications in non‐food areas seem unlikely to damage perceptions of country image in relation to supply of food products from that country. Originality/value – Provides useful information for those planning to plant GM food crops.

Jessica Rapley; Neil S. Coulson

doi: 10.1108/00070700510615044pmid: N/A

Purpose – The aim of this study was to apply key theoretical constructs from the Transtheoretical Model to daily consumption of at least five portions of fruit and vegetables among adolescent females. Design/methodology/approach – A self‐report questionnaire was designed with regard to daily consumption of at least five portions of fruit and vegetables measuring stage of change, decisional balance and self‐efficacy. In total, 501 females aged 11 to 16 years old participated in the study. Findings – The percentage of students classified into each stage was as follows: precontemplation 16.4; contemplation 38.5; preparation 11.8; action 13.4; and maintenance 20.0. Significant differences in pros and cons scores as well as self‐efficacy according to self‐classified stage of change were revealed (all p <.001). With advancing stage participants' scores for pros and self‐efficacy increased while cons scores decreased. Practical implications – The results suggest that nutrition education that targets adolescent females may usefully draw on a stage‐based classification system in order to deliver more tailored and personally relevant interventions. Examination of the profile of pros and cons may assist in the identification of salient beliefs that may need to be either strengthened (i.e. pros) or challenged (i.e. cons). In addition, attention should also be given to implementing educational strategies that foster confidence in the ability to consumer at least five portions of fruit and vegetables daily. Originality/value – This study presents the first application of the Transtheoretical Model to fruit and vegetable consumption in adolescent females. The results of the research can be used for nutrition education planning and development.

Bo Rundh

doi: 10.1108/00070700510615053pmid: N/A

Purpose – The increasing internationalisation and globalisation of business has forced many firms to reconsider what contributes to their competitive advantage. Despite the importance of packaging it is rather anonymous and has received little or marginal research. The purpose of this paper is to study how packaging can contribute to competitive advantage. Design/methodology/approach – Aspects of the packing industry and market are reviewed. Five case studies covering different packages in the supply chain are presented and analysed. Findings – Structural changes within the European food industry are reinforcing a need for competitiveness where packaging can make the difference for many consumer products. The findings from the case studies and the literature review underscore the importance of packaging and packaging design for fulfilling multi‐functions in relation to logistics and marketing in the supply chain from filler to end consumer. New demands due to changes in consumption patterns and habits are requiring innovative packaging solutions in retail outlets. Practical implications – The main implications for management is to understand and take advantage of packaging as a strategic weapon and marketing tool for the entire business, especially within a highly competitive food industry. This is important in every stage of the supply chain either for the transport packaging or as a consumer package in the supermarket. Originality/value – This paper fulfils an identified need for recognising the importance of packaging in business strategy.

George Baltas

doi: 10.1108/00070700510615062pmid: N/A

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to consider a new application of stochastic frontier analysis, in which the method is applied to demand data for a food product category, in an attempt to benchmark category consumption and segment food consumers. Design/methodology/approach – In a unified, two‐stage approach, a stochastic frontier model is first estimated and subsequently deviations from the demand frontier are regressed on customer characteristics. The method is illustrated in scanner panel data. Findings – A frontier demand function estimated in scanner data of a frequently‐bought food category has significant and consistent parameters. Specific descriptor variables can explain excessive category demand and profile customers with considerable sales potential. Research limitations/implications – More work is needed to generalise the usefulness of the proposed model in different food categories. Future research may employ alternative functional specifications and explanatory variables. Practical implications – The empirical identification of salient characteristics improves consumer understanding and can assist in the design of data‐driven marketing action. Applied researchers can use marketing and demographic variables that are found in standard consumer panels to estimate frontier models. Originality/value – The paper introduces stochastic frontier analysis as a means to determine consumer differences in food demand. This is an important area for retailers, producers and researchers.

Michel Tchoné; G. Bärwald; C. Meier

doi: 10.1108/00070700510615071pmid: N/A

Purpose – The purpose of this study was to investigate the polyphenoloxidases (PPO) activities in Jerusalem artichoke tubers as well as their inactivation. The following are important for the processing of this food: treatment and conversion used in preserving processes. Design/methodology/approach – The PPO of whole tubers and the separated tuber skins as determined using a modified PPO essay with 0.01 M dopamine.HCl as reactant and photometry (ΔA 470 plotted against reaction time up to 3 min). Nine varieties used in German tuber production were in the test. Findings – The highest enzyme activity of PPO was in the skin, range from 1,274 up to 3,026 nkat. In the pulps of the tubers nearly traces of PPO could be detected (range: 2 up to 5 nkat). The inhibition of PPO activity in tuber homogenates was investigated in simulated processes which were used in the food industry: heat (drying, pasteurisation) and oxidase inhibitors such as lemon juice, ascorbic and/ or citric acid. The optimum temperature of PPO was 60°C and the inactivation occurred at 85°C. The range of the PPO activity was between pH 5 and 10, with the optimum at pH 7.0. Lemon juice is a natural inhibitor of the PPO activity in fruit and vegetable juices containing Jerusalem artichoke as well as in canning the tubers. Lemon juice combined with citric acid and ascorbic acid is recommended against enzymatic browning reaction. Originality/value – The characterisation of the parameters which influence enzymatic browning of Jerusalem artichoke tubers during food processing: heat and pH, have not been described before.

Howard Lyons

doi: 10.1108/00070700510615080pmid: N/A

Purpose – Case studies are a valuable, yet often undervalued vehicle for communicating applied industry‐related research data. The British Food Journal , along with other journals, regularly receives case study papers yet in general terms, instructions on how they are best written is lacking. The purpose of this article is to provide advice on writing case studies for publication in a food‐related journal. Design/methodology/approach – Approaches to writing case studies in other subject disciplines were reviewed and adapted for reporting food related case studies. Findings – Different forms of case studies are described and how they could be used to disseminate or communicate food related research/practitioner interventions is discussed. Suggestions for ensuring/maximising the quality of qualitative or quantitative case study submissions are presented. A template for writing case studies is provided and ethical considerations are discussed. Originality/value – The article describes for the first time, advice and considerations on writing case studies for publication in a food‐related journal.