Consumers fear for novel food processing technologies: An application of food technology neophobia scale in the consumption of processed milk products in Northern Uganda

Abstract

New food processing technologies are continuously being introduced in the food industry due to the potential benefits such as longer product shelf life, convenience, sensory appeal, and nutritional superiority. Despite their potential benefits, consumers' perceptions and attitudes towards food processing technologies remain a complex phenomenon as consumers tend to take a more conservative stance concerning novel food processing technologies. This paper applied the Food Technology Neophobia Scale(FTNS) to assess the influence of food technology neophobia, and socio-economic factors on the consumption of processed milk products. Data was collected from 400 milk consumers in northern Uganda using structured questionnaires. Analysis was done in SPSS version 21, and binary logistic regression. Results show that milk consumers in northern Uganda are characterized by a high degree of food technology neophobia towards processed milk products (FTNS score of 62). Education(p=0.04), income(p=0.08), risk perception(p=0.00), healthy choice(p=0.06) and media role (p=0.00) were the major factors that influenced the consumption of processed milk products. The paper concludes that Food technology neophobia, food culture and tradition are the most important factors in the success of foods produced by novel technologies.