Beverage Categories Research Articles

Bariatric Surgical Alterations in Tolerability, Enjoyment and Cravings in the Diet (BSATED) instrument: A new scale to measure food preferences following bariatric surgery

Bariatric surgery is associated with changing food preferences, but it is not known whether these changes differ by type of operation or are associated with weight loss. The current study presents validation results for a new 27-item scale, Bariatric Surgical Alterations in Tolerability, Enjoyment and Cravings in the Diet (BSATED). This scale measured enjoyment, craving, and intolerance changes for nine food and beverage categories common to dietary habits in the Southern California region of the U.S. one year following bariatric surgery in the Bariatric Experience Long Term (BELONG) study. Validation of BSATED was done using exploratory factor analyses, construct validity with other conceptually related survey instruments, and criterion validity using hypothesized differences for operation type and percent total weight loss (%TWL) at 12–18 months after surgery. Participants (n = 999) were 86% female, 41% non-Hispanic White, with a mean age of 43.1 ± 11.3 years and a body mass index (BMI) of 43.4 ± 6.8 kg/m2 at the time of surgery. Participants reported less enjoyment and craving for high-fat meats (62%), grains (54%), candy and other desserts (e.g. candy bars, chocolate, ice cream) (52%), and sweet baked goods (48%) 12 months after surgery. These changes were more common among participants undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) compared to those receiving sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Participants who reported decreased enjoyment and craving for foods and beverages that post-bariatric patients are counseled to reduce or avoid had greater %TWL at 12–18 months following surgery (p < .001 and p = .003 respectively). The foods and beverages in BSATED that post-bariatric patients are counseled to reduce or avoid could be used to understand how changes in enjoyment, craving and tolerability of these foods/beverages contribute to weight loss following surgery.

The effect of alcohol tax changes on retail prices: how do on-trade alcohol retailers pass through tax changes to consumers?

The effectiveness of alcohol duty increases relies on alcohol retailers passing the tax increase on to consumers. This study uses sales data from a market research company to investigate tax pass-through over 11 years for on-premise retailers in England and whether this varies across the price distribution, for different beverage categories and outlet types. Panel data quantile regression analysis is used to estimate the impact of 12 excise duty changes and 3 sales tax changes between 2007 and 2017 on prices. We use product-level quarterly panel data from for 777 alcoholic products. We undertake the regression at all outlets level separating products are analysed in seven broad beverage categories (Beer, Cider, RTDs, Spirits, Wine, Sparkling Wine, and Fortified Wine). We further test sensitivity by disaggregating outlets into seven outlet types. For all seven broad beverage categories, we find that there exists significant differences in tax pass-through across the price distribution. Retailers appear to “undershift” cheaper beverages (prices rise by less than the tax increase) and subsidise this loss in revenue with an “overshift” in the relatively more expensive products. Future modelling of tax change impacts on population subgroups could incorporate this evidence, and this is important because different socio-economic and drinker groups purchase alcohol at different points on the price distribution and hence are affected differently by tax changes. Governments could also potentially incorporate this evidence into future impact assessments.

Comparing the day temperature and holiday effects on retail sales of alcoholic beverages – a time-series analysis

PurposeLittle research on the influence of external factors, such as weather and holiday periods, on retail sales on alcoholic beverages is available. This study aims to investigate how weekly retail sales of different alcoholic beverages vary in association with daily maximum temperatures and annual federal holidays across selected US counties in the years 2013 to 2015. The research provides information, which can contribute to better sales forecasts.Design/methodology/approachSecondary data of weekly retail sales (volume) of alcoholic beverages from 37,346 stores in 651 counties in the USA are analysed. The data cover on average 21% of all existing US counties and 12% of the total US off-trade retail sales of alcoholic beverages in the period studied (Euromonitor, 2017). Additional data of federal holidays and meteorological data are collated for each county in the sample. Seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average models with exogenous regressors (SARIMAX) are applied to develop forecasting models and to investigate possible relationships and effects.FindingsThe results indicate that off-trade retail sales of beer, liquor, red and white wine are temperature sensitive throughout the year, while contrary to expectations rosé, sparkling and other wines are not. Sales sensitivities to temperature also differ by geography. In the warmest regions, liquor and white wine sales do not respond to temperature changes, as opposed to the coolest regions, where they are responsive. Public holidays, particularly Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year holidays, represent a constant influencing factor on short-term sales increases for all investigated alcoholic beverage categories.Originality/valueThis is the first large-scale study of weather and holiday-related sales variations over time, across geographies and different alcoholic beverage categories. Seasonal and non-seasonal short-term sales variations are important for retailers and manufacturers alike. Accounting for expected changes in demand accommodates efficiencies along the supply chain and has implications for retail management, as well as adjusting marketing efforts in competing categories.

Lead in Brazilian food: Exposure assessment and risk characterization

ABSTRACT A risk assessment was performed to estimate the lead (Pb) dietary intake in the Brazilian population. Data on Pb concentration in food were obtained through a systematic review with meta-analyses and from the GEMS/Food database, both involving data through 2018. Food consumption data were obtained from a Brazilian official dietary survey. Pb dietary intakes were estimated by a deterministic approach. Risk characterisation was conducted using the margin of exposure approach (MOE). The total Pb intake in the Brazilian population ranged from 1.53 to 2.01 μg/kg bw/day. Major contributors to Pb dietary exposure were the vegetable and vegetable products and beverage categories. From the results obtained, a risk of increased systolic pressure, nephrotoxicity and decrease of 0.5 point intelligence quotient can be expected, MOE<1, with greater magnitudes of risk observed for men in rural areas and in the Midwest, Southeast and South Brazilian regions. The dietary risk assessment indicates a health concern for the Brazilian population associated with Pb dietary intake.

Market Testing dan Positioning Produk Inovasi

The product innovation enters the next stage in the product development process series towards commercialization. As a product during its development period, it is necessary to carry out market research to determine consumer preferences and perceptions, to become the basis for business analysis and improvement. This activity is carried out through deep interviews with inventors, product / sample tests and simulations, surveys and observations on the market and its segmentation. Market research techniques are used by searching, gathering, and analyzing information about consumers or markets that are appropriate for the business they run. In addition to product quality through understanding the needs and tastes of consumers, another thing that also builds consumer ratings of products is perception. Positioning is the initial analysis to build perception in the minds of consumers. This activity aims to obtain market research documents to determine consumer perceptions about innovation products after consuming the product so that it can be used as a reference for product improvement before commercialization. This activity also aims to help to analyze positioning and design marketing strategies for the next stage. Understanding consumer needs and creating products that are able to meet the needs and solve consumer problems are the keys to successful product commercialization. This activity carried out market research on 7 Andalas University innovation products on food and beverage category with 100 respondents for each of their products spread across the West Sumatra region. This activity produces product market research documents that can be used by each inventor and developer of each product to develop and commercialize their products.

Bacchus among the Blackshirts: Wine Making, Consumerism and Identity in Fascist Italy, 1919–1937

This article explores the way in which wine came to be viewed as a quintessentially ‘Italian’ beverage among Italy's middle- and upper-class households during fascism's twenty years in power. Due to significant increases in wine consumption among the labouring classes during the years immediately following the First World War, wine, as a general category of beverage, had become closely associated within the minds of many bourgeois and wealthy consumers with the country's popular taverns and saloons, alcoholism and physical and moral ‘degeneration.’ In response, fascist Italy's typical wine growers, merchants and industrialists worked feverishly to rehabilitate the beverage's downtrodden reputation via a series of wide-ranging public relations and collective marketing campaigns during the 1920s and 1930s. By promoting the beverage's hygienic and alimentary qualities, as well as systematically intertwining the moderate consumption of the peninsula's standardised wines with the dictatorship's nationalisation and popular mobilisation programmes, this article will show, the Industrial Wine Lobby successfully re-established ‘wine's honour’ and, simultaneously, recontextualised the country's typical wines as Italy's wholesome, family-friendly, ‘national beverage’.

Life Cycle Assessment of Beverage Packaging

Global plastic production has been increasing annually since World War II and is currently 380 million tonnes. Global concern about pollution from plastics in the seas and the environmental costs of plastics manufacture is rising. This study aimed to: i) review the costs, benefits, advantages / disadvantages of plastics as packaging materials and ii) use life cycle assessment to determine if there is less environmentally impactful beverage packaging than plastic bottles. As different beverages have different packaging needs, three categories were used: commonly used containers for milk, fruit juice and pressurised ‘fizzy’ drinks. The packaging types included in the assessment were glass bottles, aluminium cans, milk cartons, Tetra Pak, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles and high-density polythene (HDPE) bottles. The ISO 14040:2006 and ISO 14044:2006 standards for life cycle assessment formed the basis of the methodology. The open source software openLCA was used to conduct the assessments. Data was assembled from LCA databases such as the European reference Life Cycle Database of the Joint Research Center (ELCD), existing life cycle assessments, scientific reports and peer reviewed literature. The functional unit was set at a container that held one litre of fluid. The results found that in each category there was a less impactful beverage packaging than plastic bottles. In the Pressurised Beverage Category, 100% recycled aluminium cans would be the least impactful option, in the Fruit Juice Beverage Category Tetra Pak would be the least impactful option and in the Milk Beverage Category milk cartons would be the least impactful option.

Is it good for me? A content analysis of the healthiness of foods advertised in magazines

ABSTRACT This paper used Fooducate product ratings to evaluate the healthiness of food products being advertised in 15 U.S. magazines over a 1-year period (N = 623 food products), and compared those ratings across product categories, magazine genres, types of claims, and the presence of endorsement seals. Novel food rating apps like Fooducate offer scholars the ability to credibly assess food products in analyses of media content. In line with the academic grading scale where “A” is excellent and “D/F” is poor/failing, results indicate an average grade of approximately a “C+” (M = 2.57; SD = 0.80). Products in the ingredient, beverage and food pyramid categories received the highest scores, whereas foods high in fat/sugar, dietary supplements, and prepackaged meals scored significantly lower. Of the five magazine genres explored, health and food magazines featured the healthiest foods while fashion and women’s magazines featured the least healthy. In addition, products making health claims were significantly healthier than products without such claims, supporting their accuracy. Finally, advertisements with endorsement seals had the highest health ratings of any category assessed. Implications based on previous work in food advertising research are discussed, such as the benefit of including this topic in adult nutrition literacy initiatives.

The early impact of Scotland's minimum unit pricing policy on alcohol prices and sales.

In May 2018, Scotland became the first country in the world to enforce a minimum unit pricing (MUP) of 50 pence ($0.65; €0.55) on alcoholic beverages as a measure to control alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harms. This study presents early estimates of the impact of MUP on three outcomes: average price per unit (8 gr/10 ml) of alcohol, liters of alcohol sold per adult, and liters of alcohol sold per adult drinker, in three different settings: off-premise, on-premise, and both combined. Using yearly alcohol price and sales data from 2011 to 2019, I find that the average price per unit of alcohol has significantly risen post-MUP across all beverage categories (beer, spirits, wine, cider, and alcohol-all types), whereas liters of alcohol sold per adult and per adult drinker have significantly reduced for beer, spirits, cider, and alcohol-all types. For all outcomes, the impact of MUP on off-premise alcohol prices and sales is more pronounced than under the combined case, while no significant effects are found on-premise. These results are robust to model specification and to the addition of various control variables. Falsification tests changing the timing of the policy were performed and no significant results were found.

Examining Trends in Beverage Sales in New York City During Comprehensive Efforts to Reduce Sugary Drink Consumption, 2010-2015.

Since 2006, New York City (NYC) has attempted to reduce sugary drink consumption through several population-based initiatives, media campaigns and policy proposals. We estimated trends in the relative market share of sugary drinks and other beverage categories in NYC, using over 5 years of weekly, point-of-sale data from a retailer sample. We used an interrupted time series approach to assess whether changes in NYC beverage purchasing patterns occurred following the announcement of a proposed portion cap rule for consumer purchases of sugary drinks. Overall, market share of sugary drinks declined in NYC between 2010 and 2015. While the proportion of beverage volume sold that was sugary drinks was stable prior to the May 2012 portion cap rule announcement, decreases of 1.25% per year were observed in the period following the announcement compared to the period before (95% confidence interval (CI) - 1.60, - 0.90). Water/seltzer market share was increasing prior to the announcement and increased by an additional 1.03% per year in the post-announcement period (95% CI 0.48, 1.57). City-led efforts to increase public awareness about sugary drink-associated health risks in NYC may have led to reductions in consumer purchases of these beverages. Though never implemented, the portion cap proposal and accompanying media coverage may have contributed to decreases in sugary drink sales.

Plastic packaging goes sustainable: An analysis of consumer preferences for plastic water bottles

The market of bottled water is projected to become the largest beverage category by volume worldwide. Consumption data are already impressive in many countries, with Italy leading the path in the European Union. Such market expansion will come with environmental costs, due to increasing plastics production and increasing bottle leakage in the environment. To tackle the problem consumer purchasing decision can make the difference. Using a hypothetical Discrete Choice Experiment this study explores consumer preferences and willingness to pay for plastic water bottles made of conventional plastic polymer and of more sustainable plastic alternatives. Additionally, by comparing two experimental conditions the study investigates whether information on plastic-related sustainability might affect consumer purchasing decisions. The results provide insights that could be relevant from a market and policy perspective. They indicate that Italian consumers prefer Bio-bottles water bottles with respect to common PET, being willing to pay more for these alternatives. Furthermore, recycled materials are dispreferred compared to virgin plastics and information provision seems to help consumers discriminating across different plastic types although it is not effective in increasing willingness to pay.

Patterns of beverage purchases amongst British households: A latent class analysis.

Beverages, especially sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), have been increasingly subject to policies aimed at reducing their consumption as part of measures to tackle obesity. However, precision targeting of policies is difficult as information on what types of consumers they might affect, and to what degree, is missing. We fill this gap by creating a typology of beverage consumers in Great Britain (GB) based on observed beverage purchasing behaviour to determine what distinct types of beverage consumers exist, and what their socio-demographic (household) characteristics, dietary behaviours, and weight status are. We used cross-sectional latent class analysis to characterise patterns of beverage purchases. We used data from the 2016 GB Kantar Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) panel, a large representative household purchase panel of food and beverages brought home, and restricted our analyses to consumers who purchase beverages regularly (i.e., >52 l per household member annually) (n = 8,675). Six categories of beverages were used to classify households into latent classes: SSBs; diet beverages; fruit juices and milk-based beverages; beer and cider; wine; and bottled water. Multinomial logistic regression and linear regression were used to relate class membership to household characteristics, self-reported weight status, and other dietary behaviours, derived from GB Kantar FMCG. Seven latent classes were identified, characterised primarily by higher purchases of 1 or 2 categories of beverages: 'SSB' (18% of the sample; median SSB volume = 49.4 l/household member/year; median diet beverage volume = 38.0 l), 'Diet' (16%; median diet beverage volume = 94.4 l), 'Fruit & Milk' (6%; median fruit juice/milk-based beverage volume = 30.0 l), 'Beer & Cider' (7%; median beer and cider volume = 36.3 l; median diet beverage volume = 55.6 l), 'Wine' (18%; median wine volume = 25.5 l; median diet beverage volume = 34.3 l), 'Water' (4%; median water volume = 46.9 l), and 'Diverse' (30%; diversity of purchases, including median SSB volume = 22.4 l). Income was positively associated with being classified in the Diverse class, whereas low social grade was more likely for households in the classes SSB, Diet, and Beer & Cider. Obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2) was more prevalent in the class Diet (41.2%, 95% CI 37.7%-44.7%) despite households obtaining little energy from beverages in that class (17.9 kcal/household member/day, 95% CI 16.2-19.7). Overweight/obesity (BMI > 25 kg/m2) was above average in the class SSB (66.8%, 95% CI 63.7%-69.9%). When looking at all groceries, households from the class SSB had higher total energy purchases (1,943.6 kcal/household member/day, 95% CI 1,901.7-1,985.6), a smaller proportion of energy from fruits and vegetables (6.0%, 95% CI 5.8%-6.3%), and a greater proportion of energy from less healthy food and beverages (54.6%, 95% CI 54.0%-55.1%) than other classes. A greater proportion of energy from sweet snacks was observed for households in the classes SSB (18.5%, 95% CI 18.1%-19.0%) and Diet (18.8%, 95% CI 18.3%-19.3%). The main limitation of our analyses, in common with other studies, is that our data do not include information on food and beverage purchases that are consumed outside the home. Amongst households that regularly purchase beverages, those that mainly purchased high volumes of SSBs or diet beverages were at greater risk of obesity and tended to purchase less healthy foods, including a high proportion of energy from sweet snacks. These households might additionally benefit from policies targeting unhealthy foods, such as sweet snacks, as a way of reducing excess energy intake.

Knowledge, attitudes and binge drinking among urban Chinese university students in Hong Kong

Abstract Background Although dormitory residents have been identified as a high-risk group for alcohol misuse in Chinese university settings, the factors associated with their drinking behaviors has not be characterized. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among hostel residents in two Hong Kong universities (n = 1455) using self-administered, anonymous surveys. In addition to examining the knowledge levels and drinking-related attitudes, we examined the factors associated with binge drinking in this population using multivariable regression analysis. Results Among university dormitory residents, the prevalence of past-month binge drinking was 26.8% among males and 12.8% among females. It was noted that although respondents demonstrated attitudes conducive towards alcohol-free socialization, they exhibited low levels of alcohol-related knowledge (mean knowledge score: 3.3/ 10, SD = 2.0). While about 59% were aware that alcohol is a carcinogen and that some medications should not be taken with alcohol, only 10.4% were familiar with symptoms of alcohol poisoning and only 23% were familiar with relative amounts of alcohol in different beverage categories. Of the respondents the factors independently associated with past-month binge drinking were: male sex, older age, full-time hostel residence, drinking roommates, drinking romantic partner, participation in drinking games, and having pro-alcohol attitudes (OR ranging from 1.33-3.69). Alcohol-related knowledge was not associated with binge drinking. Conclusions Although southern China is a low alcohol consumption area, binge drinking is common among university residents and requires multi-prong interventions. Heavy drinking is a neglected health problem among urban Chinese university students. Interventions targeting binge drinkers need to counteract pro-alcohol attitudes and peer effects. Increasing alcohol knowledge may additionally help to reduce alcohol-related harms in this age group. Key messages Urban Chinese university dormitory residents demonstrate low levels of alcohol knowledge. Pro-alcohol attitudes and peers effects need to be addressed in university anti-binge drinking interventions.

Study on Water and Other Drinks Used for Hydration in Movement Activities

The main purpose of this study was to identify the types of water and other drinks used for hydration by those who perform movement activities and also to analyze the quality of these drinks. As a result of performing movement activities, through perspiration, a greater or lesser amount of water is lost from the body. Along with this, a number of nutrients are lost. Given these aspects, the main objective of the research was to understand more correctly, what is involved in proper hydration, which are the factors that must be taken into account to maintain good health. We analyzed and compared the level of the main electrolytes and carbohydrates for different categories of drinks and also measured with the help of two specific devices the level of purity and pH of three categories of drinking water. We indicated general values regarding the ratio of water consumption to weight on the one hand, and on the other hand, we indicated the indicative quantities that should be consumed before, during and after performing medium-level physical effort. As a general conclusion, the importance of sodium, alkaline water and high water purity was highlighted in relation to the categories of beverages analyzed in this study.

Energy-dense, nutrient-poor food and beverage sales in Australia: where and when products are sold, and how sales are changing over time.

To quantify sales trends for key energy-dense, nutrient-poor (EDNP) foods and beverages over 5 years in Australia. The Euromonitor Global Market Information Database and linear regression models were used to estimate average annual change in sales per capita of thirteen EDNP food categories and two EDNP beverage categories (defined using Australian Dietary Guidelines) over 5 years (2012-2017 for foods and 2011-2016 for beverages). The average annual change in sales was divided by the observed sales in 2012 (foods) or 2011 (beverages) to estimate the average percentage-change in sales per capita per annum. All major retail outlets in Australia. Euromonitor Global Market Information Database sales data. Between 2012 and 2017, sales per capita per annum of frozen pizza (6 %), pastries (5 %), potato chips (crisps) (5 %), tortilla chips (3 %), chocolate confectionery (2 %), frozen processed potatoes (2 %), ice cream (2 %) and sugar confectionery (0·2 %) increased. There were no changes in sales of sweet biscuits, chocolate spreads and cakes, and sales of savoury biscuits and processed meat decreased (-2 and -1 %, respectively). Between 2011 and 2016, sales per capita per annum of sports and energy drinks increased (4 %), sales of regular (sugar-sweetened) cola (-6 %) and all non-cola soft drinks (-1 %) decreased and sales of diet cola did not change. Sales of EDNP foods and beverages generally increased or remained stable relative to population growth. Our results demonstrate the need for public health policies to reduce sales of EDNP foods and beverages.

IPTEKS BERBASIS INKUBASI INOVASI DAN DUNIA USAHA: MARKET RESEARCH PRODUK-PRODUK INOVASI UNIVERSITAS ANDALAS

Produk-produk inovasi Universitas Andalas memasuki tahap selanjutnya dalam rangkaian proses pengembangan produk menuju komersialisasi. Sebagai produk pada masa perkembangan perlu dilakukan market research untuk mengetahui preferensi dan persepsi konsumen, untuk menjadi dasar analisis bisnis dan perbaikan. Untuk itu perlu dilakukan kegiatan pengabdian untuk membantu para inventor, pengembang, dan mitra dalam meneliti pasar dan mengetahui preferensi calon konsumennya sebagai salah satu program Ipteks berbasis Inkubasi Inovasi dan Dunia Usaha (IbIIDU). Kegiatan ini dilakukan melalui deep interview dengan inventor, uji produk/sampel dan simulasi, survey dan observasi pada pasar dan segmentasinya. Teknik riset pasar digunakan dengan cara mencari, mengumpulkan, dan menganalisis informasi tentang konsumen atau pasar yang sesuai dengan usaha yang mereka jalankan. Selain kualitas produk melalui pemahaman kebutuhan dan selera konsumen, hal lain yang juga membangun penilaian konsumen terhadap produk adalah persepsi. Positioning merupakan analisis awal untuk membangun persepsi di benak konsumen. Kegiatan ini bertujuan untuk memperoleh dokumen riset pasar untuk mengetahui persepsi konsumen mengenai produk-produk inovasi setelah mengkonsumsi produk tersebut sehingga dapat dijadikan acuan untuk perbaikan produk sebelum dikomersialisasikan. Kegiatan ini juga bertujuan membantu untuk menganalisis positioning dan merancang strategi pemasaran untuk tahap selanjutnya. Memahami kebutuhan konsumen dan menciptakan produk yang mampu memenuhi kebutuhan dan menyelesaikan masalah konsumen adalah kunci suksesnya komersialisasi produk. Kegiatan ini melakukan riset pasar pada 7 produk inovasi Universitas Andalas pada bidang food and beverage dan melibatkan 100 responden untuk masing-masing produknya yang tersebar di wilayah Sumatera Barat. Kegiatan ini berhasil menghasilkan dokumen riset pasar per produk, hasil analisis positioning, dan rencana strategi pemasaran yang dapat digunakan oleh setiap inventor dan pengembang masing-masing produk untuk melakukan pengembangan dan komersialisasi produknya.

User Perceptions of Different Electronic Cigarette Flavors on Social Media: Observational Study.

BackgroundThe number of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) users has been increasing rapidly in recent years, especially among youth and young adults. More e-cigarette products have become available, including e-liquids with various brands and flavors. Various e-liquid flavors have been frequently discussed by e-cigarette users on social media.ObjectiveThis study aimed to examine the longitudinal prevalence of mentions of electronic cigarette liquid (e-liquid) flavors and user perceptions on social media.MethodsWe applied a data-driven approach to analyze the trends and macro-level user sentiments of different e-cigarette flavors on social media. With data collected from web-based stores, e-liquid flavors were classified into categories in a flavor hierarchy based on their ingredients. The e-cigarette–related posts were collected from social media platforms, including Reddit and Twitter, using e-cigarette–related keywords. The temporal trend of mentions of e-liquid flavor categories was compiled using Reddit data from January 2013 to April 2019. Twitter data were analyzed using a sentiment analysis from May to August 2019 to explore the opinions of e-cigarette users toward each flavor category.ResultsMore than 1000 e-liquid flavors were classified into 7 major flavor categories. The fruit and sweets categories were the 2 most frequently discussed e-liquid flavors on Reddit, contributing to approximately 58% and 15%, respectively, of all flavor-related posts. We showed that mentions of the fruit flavor category had a steady overall upward trend compared with other flavor categories that did not show much change over time. Results from the sentiment analysis demonstrated that most e-liquid flavor categories had significant positive sentiments, except for the beverage and tobacco categories.ConclusionsThe most updated information about the popular e-liquid flavors mentioned on social media was investigated, which showed that the prevalence of mentions of e-liquid flavors and user perceptions on social media were different. Fruit was the most frequently discussed flavor category on social media. Our study provides valuable information for future regulation of flavored e-cigarettes.

Five considerations for marketers navigating the changing US beverage alcohol e-commerce landscape

E-commerce accounts for a growing percentage of total retail sales. Until recently, the highly complex and heavily regulated beverage alcohol category has been struggling to keep pace relative to other food and beverage categories. Recent developments in technology, combined with a renewed interest among fast-digitising retailers, have led many executives in the beverage alcohol industry to reconsider their e-commerce strategy and invest more in the channel. For beverage alcohol marketers developing their e-commerce strategies, however, there is little information to help navigate the fast-changing e-commerce landscape and the profoundly complex regulatory landscape. This article reviews the aspects of the regulatory landscape that are relevant to alcohol e-commerce and digital marketing, identifying emerging technologies that are enabling the growth of online alcohol sales, and offering key considerations for marketers building go-to-market strategies for their products in alcohol’s unique e-commerce ecosystem.

Identification of an Obesogenic Dietary Pattern Using Partial Least Squares in a Nationally-Representative Sample of Canadian Adults

Abstract Objectives Hybrid methods of dietary patterns analysis have emerged as a unique and informative way to study diet-disease relationships in nutritional epidemiology research. The objectives of this research were to identify an obesogenic dietary pattern using weighted PLS in nationally-representative Canadian survey data, and to identify key foods and/or beverages associated with the defined obesogenic pattern. Methods Data from one 24-hr dietary recall data from the cross-sectional Canadian Community Health Survey-Nutrition (CCHS) 2015 (n = 12,110 adults) were used. Weighed partial least squares (wPLS) was used to identify an obesogenic dietary pattern from 40 standardized food and/or beverage categories using the variables energy density, fibre density, and total fat as outcomes. The association between the derived dietary pattern and likelihood of obesity was examined using weighted multivariate logistic regression. Key dietary components highly associated with the derived pattern were identified. Results Compared to quartile one (i.e., those least adherent to an obesogenic dietary pattern), those in quartile four had a 2.40-fold increased odds of being obese (OR = 2.40, 95% CI = 1.91, 3.02, P-trend &amp;lt; 0.0001) with a monotonically increasing trend. Using a factor loading significance cut-off of ≥|0.17|, three food/beverage categories loaded positively for the derived obesogenic dietary pattern: fast food, carbonated drinks and salty snacks. Seven food/beverage categories loaded negatively (i.e., in the protective direction): consumption of whole fruits, orange vegetables, “other” vegetables (including vegetable juice), whole grains, dark green vegetables, legumes and soy, and pasta and rice. Conclusions This study pinpoints key dietary components that are associated with obesity and consumed among a nationally-representative sample of Canadians adults. Compared to a similarly-defined obesogenic diet identified by our research group in 2004, the top contributors to a Canadian-specific obesogenic diet in 2015 have remained consistent. This evidence may aid in developing targeted policies and dietary interventions for obesity and chronic disease prevention. Funding Sources Supported by grants from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund Innovation in Regulatory Science Award and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

The impact of formulation change and R&D cooperation types on the eWOM of extension products

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of formulation categories (parent brand and extension product) and research and development (R&D) cooperation types on electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) volume for extension products.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses data from 109 extension products in the Korean dessert market whose formulations were changed between 1 February 2014 and 19 February 2019. The formulation categories and R&D cooperation types are transformed into dummy variables to conduct a linear regression.FindingsThe formulation categories and R&D cooperation types play key roles in proliferating eWOM for formulation change products. The most effective way to proliferate eWOM is through product extension by changing the formulation of ice cream, beverage and snack category products. Furthermore, vertical R&D cooperation positively affects the proliferation of products' eWOM.Originality/valueThese findings contribute to increasing the chance of successful food product development by providing information on the formulation changes that are effective at inducing consumers' interest.