Organic Food Consumption Research Articles

Socio-demografski profil potrošača organske hrane u Republici Srpskoj

The aim of this research is to determine the profile of organic food consumers in the Republic of Srpska according their socio-demographic characteristics and to analyse if there is a significant relation between consumer education level and intention to purchase organic food. For this purpose, a questionnaire was developed and a survey was conducted on a random representative sample. Consumers were segmented according to their purchase habits and a profile was developed for each segment. The results show that different socio-demographic characteristics partly determine each profile and that education level has a positive and low significant relation with intention to purchase organic food.

Research on Consumer Satisfaction of Yili SATINE in China

With the development of the economy and society, people's living standards have improved, and they are paying more attention to their health and diet. The demand for organic food consumption continues to grow and organic milk, as an important part of organic food, is also loved by many consumers. As an increasing number of consumers become more aware of liquid milk, the advantages of organic milk are being highlighted and sales of which are gradually increasing. But while dairy companies are upgrading their products, they need to note whether they can fit in with consumers' consumption habits, and they also make efforts in terms of sales channels and publicity. At present, domestic organic milk product upgrades face the problem of low consumer acceptance, and there is still a long way to go for organic milk. As the organic milk market keeps developing, competition is getting fiercer. Hence, this thesis takes the example of Yili SATINE Organic milk of Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Company Limited, which is a Chinese dairy products producer headquartered in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia. Based on the results of the questionnaires distributed, problems are identified and related analysis will be carried out in the paper, and we also propose guidelines and suggestions to improve the organic milk marketing strategy. This will help Yili SATINE organic milk to be more effective in the organic milk market, and enhance its competitiveness thus providing a basis for the future development.

Motives and barriers of organic food consumption behaviour: a comparative study between Indonesia and Malaysia

Motives and barriers of organic food consumption behaviour: a comparative study between Indonesia and Malaysia

Motives and barriers of organic food consumption behaviour: a comparative study between Indonesia and Malaysia

Motives and barriers of organic food consumption behaviour: a comparative study between Indonesia and Malaysia

(2021) Volume 2, Issue 4 Cultural Implications of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC Authors: Dr. Unsa Jamshed Amar Jahangir Anbrin Khawaja Abstract: This study is an attempt to highlight the cultural implication of CPEC on Pak-China relations, how it will align two nations culturally, and what steps were taken by the governments of two states to bring the people closer.

(2021) Volume 2, Issue 4 Cultural Implications of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC Authors: Dr. Unsa Jamshed Amar Jahangir Anbrin Khawaja Abstract: This study is an attempt to highlight the cultural implication of CPEC on Pak-China relations, how it will align two nations culturally, and what steps were taken by the governments of two states to bring the people closer.

Is Organic Food Good for Health and the Environment?

Global organic food consumption has increased significantly in the last decade. Organic product agriculture is a one-of-a-kind technique that strikes a balance between environmental sustainability and consumer safety by developing a good client relationship with the end customer or consumer group. According to environmental studies, organic farming is less damaging to the environment than traditional agricultural methods. Recent studies show that customers who eat organic foods have lower pesticide exposure, which results in fewer human diseases. Organic food has more nutrients. However, the evidence to support this is lacking, and no well-designed human study has shown any direct health benefits or disease prevention benefits from consuming organically produced food. Furthermore, some researchers mention that for some types of plants, the nutrients in the case of conventional products were better. This study aims to identify the benefits of organic foods over conventional foods and consumers' beliefs about health and environmental benefits associated with organic foods. Secondary data for this research have been gathered from different international journals and the Internet, utilizing information from a variety of scholarly publications. The author addresses the present state of organic farming, as well as the benefits and disadvantages of consuming organic and conventional food,. The article has also investigated the effects of organic and conventional food production on both health and the environment.

Comparison of Organic and Conventional Food and Food Production

Comparison of Organic and Conventional Food and Food Production

Exploring the Antecedents of Organic Food Purchase Intention: An Extension of the Theory of Planned Behavior

Worldwide organic food consumption has registered a consistent rise in recent years. Despite the relevant body of literature on the topic, it is necessary to further understand the antecedents of purchase intention. This article aims to identify the factors that influence the consumer’s intention to purchase organic food. It extends the theory of planned behavior model by including environmental concerns, health concerns, and perceived quality as determinants of attitude toward organic food products. Additionally, it considers the effect of product availability on consumers’ perceived behavioral control. This article includes a quantitative study that was conducted in Portugal in 2020 (n = 206). Structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed set of research hypotheses. In line with extant literature, this study confirmed that attitude toward organic food is the main determinant of purchase intention. Additionally, it demonstrates that health concerns and perceived quality have a significant impact on attitude toward organic food. The impact of environmental concerns on attitude was not confirmed by this study. Based on these findings, it is recommended that managers stress health benefits and quality of organic food in order to foster positive attitudes and consequently leverage purchase intention.

Organic Food Consumption During the Complementary Feeding Period and Respiratory or Allergic Diseases Up to Age 5.5 Years in the ELFE Cohort.

Objectives: To assess (1) whether a history of allergy is associated with feeding with organic foods (OFs) during the complementary feeding period and (2) whether OF consumption in infancy is related to the incidence of respiratory and allergic diseases up to age 5.5 years.Study Design: Analyses involved more than 8,000 children from the nationwide Étude Longitudinale Française depuis l'Enfance (ELFE) birth cohort. Associations between family or infant history of allergy and frequency of OF consumption during the complementary feeding period were assessed with multinomial logistic regression. Associations between OF consumption in infancy and respiratory or allergic diseases between age 1 and 5.5 years were assessed with logistic regression.Results: A family history of allergy or cow's milk protein allergy at age 2 months was strongly and positively related to feeding with OF during the complementary feeding period. Feeding with OF during the complementary feeding period was not related to respiratory diseases or eczema up to age 5.5 years. Compared to infrequent consumption of both organic and commercial complementary foods, frequent OF consumption without commercial complementary foods was associated with a higher risk of food allergy, whereas frequent commercial complementary food consumption without OF use was associated with a lower risk of food allergy.Conclusions: This study suggests that a history of allergy strongly affects feeding with OF during the complementary feeding period. However, OF consumption was not associated with reduced odds of food allergy later in childhood but could be associated with increased odds, which should be examined more deeply.

Integrated Soil and Crop Management in Organic Agriculture: A Logical Framework to Ensure Food Quality and Human Health?

The environmental and biodiversity benefits of organic farming are widely recognized, but there is still controversy about the effects of organic production methods on the nutritional composition of food and human health. In the first part of this article therefore, we critically review the evidence that organic farming methods improve the nutritional quality of food crops. Moreover, we summarize our current understanding of how quality gains are linked to the implementation of the “innovations” introduced into conventional crop production during the intensification or “green revolution” of agriculture over the last 100 years. In the second part of the article, we critically review the evidence for the range of health benefits related to organic food consumption. Specifically, we describe and discuss the results from: (i) dietary intervention studies which have found that organic food consumption substantially reduces pesticide exposure in humans and affects feed intake, growth, hormone balances and immune system responsiveness in animal models; (ii) human cohort/epidemiological studies which have reported significant positive associations between organic food consumption and the lower incidence of a range of diseases including obesity, metabolic syndrome, cancer, hypospadias, pre-eclampsia, eczema and middle ear infections in infants; (iii) interactions and trade-offs between diet (e.g., whole-grain, fruit and vegetables and reduced red-meat consumption) and food types (organic versus conventional) concerning public health and future food security. The article also identifies knowledge gaps and highlights the need for (i) long-term, factorial field experiments to understand the relative effects of agronomic and pedoclimatic drivers on crop quality and safety, and (ii) clinical trials and additional human cohort studies to confirm the positive health outcomes linked to organic food consumption. The main conclusions from our review are that there is growing evidence that (i) agricultural intensification has resulted in a reduction in the nutritional quality of food and the sustainability of food production, and (ii) organic farming practices not only improve food quality and human health, but also food security. This is particularly true where current nutritional guidelines (increasing whole-grain, fruit and vegetable products, while reducing red-meat consumption) are implemented.

Consumption values, anxiety and organic food purchasing behaviour considering the moderating role of sustainable consumption attitude

PurposeThis study aims to identify and describe the relationships among different consumption values, anxiety and organic food purchase behaviour considering the moderating role of sustainable consumption attitude from the viewpoint of the theory of consumption values.Design/methodology/approachData were collected using a structured questionnaire survey in first-tier cities in China. A total of 344 consumers of organic foods participated in the study. Structural equation modelling and hierarchical regression analysis were employed for data analysis.FindingsThe results indicated the significant association of functional value-price, emotional value, social value and epistemic value with purchase behaviour. Anxiety had a positively significant influence on functional (quality), functional (price), emotional, social, conditional and epistemic values. In addition, the results indicated that functional (price), emotional, social and epistemic values played mediating effects in the relationships between anxiety and purchase behaviour. Moreover, sustainable consumption attitude had a positive moderating effect on functional value-price and purchase behaviour.Practical implicationsThe research not only provides novel and original insights for understanding organic consumption but also provides a reference for organic retailers to develop sales strategies and policymakers to formulate policies to guide organic consumption that are conducive to promoting sustainable consumption.Originality/valueFor the first time, this research attempts to explore the relationships among different consumption values, anxiety and purchase behaviour. It may improve the gap of inconsistency in attitude and behaviour in organic consumption, and provide a new perspective for the study of organic consumption.

Factors affecting the consumption of organic and functional foods in Brazil

The objective of this work was to investigate the factors which affect the consumption of organic foods enriched with functional properties. The study was developed by investigating the consumer profile of organic and functional foods by applying a questionnaire hosted on the Google Forms® platform (docs.google.com/forms/). The obtained results show that individuals in the age group 31 to 40 years old and those 51 and older, widowed, divorced and inhabitants of the Midwest, Southeast and South regions consume organic food more often. The education level did not influence the willingness to pay more for the purchase of an organic food, the consumption frequency or the interest in consuming organic food with functional potential. The interviewee group had a monthly income of up to R$4,686.00 (In Reais - 5 minimum monthly salaries) and showed a consumption frequency between “almost never” and “sometimes”, while those with an income higher than R$4,686.00 presented between “sometimes” and “often”. Residents of capital cities and from smaller cities showed similar behavior for all variables analyzed. We can conclude that the degree of confidence and the interest in consuming organic foods with functional potential were little influenced by socio-demographic differences.

Organic Food Consumption among Households in Hanoi: Importance of Situational Factors

The promotion of sustainable consumption plays an extremely important role in Vietnam’s National Green Growth Strategy. However, despite an increase in concerns about environmental issues, eco-friendly buying behaviors in general and organic food consumption in particular are still unpopular among Vietnamese consumers, leading to a question about the importance of situational factors, which this article focuses on. Based on attitudes; subjective norms; perceived norms, which are mentioned in the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and consumer choice theory; and social norms from social categorization theory, the research created a questionnaire and then sent it to respondents who were in charge of buying food for their family in Hanoi. Then, 423 of the 570 responses received were used to create the structural equation model (SEM) with four distinct stages in AMOS statistical software, which evidences the crucial role of situational factors. Subjective norms and social norms have the highest positive impact on organic food purchase among households in Hanoi. Moreover, households’ organic food purchase is also positively affected by perceived behavior control and the availability of products but negatively affected by the price of products, which strongly fits with TPB, social categorization theory, and other studies. In particular, there is no evidence about relationships between knowledge of or attitude toward organic food and family income and organic food purchase among households in Hanoi. In addition, age and education status do not have any impact on respondents’ behavior in organic food purchase in this city. Finally, the authors propose some suggestions to promote organic food consumption among households in Hanoi. First is that businesses specializing in the production and supply of organic products should focus on customer care activities, innovate business models, and advertise to attract customers to use organic products. Second is that the government should issue regulations to encourage businesses to invest in the research and production of organic products as well as implement strict regulations to penalize violations in the production and supply of organic products.

Reported organic food consumption and metabolic syndrome in older adults: cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses.

Examine cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between organic food consumption, metabolic syndrome (MetS), and its components among older adults. Respondents of the 2012 Health and Retirement Study (HRS), and Health Care and Nutrition Study (HCNS) were included in this study. Organic food consumption was measured with a crude binary question asking about past-year consumption (yes/no). Cross-sectional analyses were conducted with 6,633 participants (mean (SE) age, 65.5 (0.3) years). Longitudinal analyses were conducted with a subset of 1,637 respondents who participated in the HRS Venous Blood Study (mean (SE) age, 63.8 (0.4) years). Hemoglobin A1C and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were assessed using dried blood spots at baseline. Glucose, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides were assessed using fasting blood samples collected 4years after baseline. Waist circumference and blood pressure were measured at baseline and follow-up. Logistic and linear regressions were used to assess the associations between organic food consumption, MetS, and its components. Any organic food consumption over the previous year was reported among 47.4% of cross-sectional and 51.3% of longitudinal participants. Unadjusted models showed inverse cross-sectional associations between organic food consumption and waist circumference, blood pressure, and hemoglobin A1C, and positive longitudinal association with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. No significant associations were detected in the fully adjusted models. No association was observed between organic food consumption and MetS among older adults after adjusting for confounders. Future studies with a precise definition, quantitative assessment of the consumption, and duration of organic food consumption, together with pesticides biomarkers, are warranted.

Invited Perspective: How Can Studies of Chemical Mixtures and Human Health Guide Interventions and Policy?

Invited Perspective: How Can Studies of Chemical Mixtures and Human Health Guide Interventions and Policy?

Stairway to organic heaven: The impact of social and temporal distance in print ads

Multiple studies employ consumers’ intentions rather than actual purchases when assessing organic food consumption. These studies typically suggest a green bias in organic market share. Employing reactance and construal level theory, this research investigates the impact of one’s social distance to the character depicted in ads (animal vs. human) and the temporal distance (present vs. future) toward organic animal husbandry on consumers’ purchase responses directly; indirectly, as related to the portrayed character; and generally to organic foods. Three 2 (temporal distance: low, high) × 2 (social distance: low, high) between-subjects experiments demonstrate that low social distance depicting humans rather than animals induces psychological reactance, which impedes purchase intentions of organic groceries, whereas ads featuring high social and temporal distance (depicting animals in an ideal future husbandry state) increase consumers’ purchase intentions and actual purchase behavior, even for products with no direct connection to the depicted character in the ads.

Prospective association between dietary pesticide exposure profiles and Type 2 Diabetes risk

Abstract Background Many modifiable risk factors have been identified for type 2 diabetes. However, emerging risk factors such as food contaminants could also play a role and studies are lacking on the subject. We aimed to assess the prospective associations between dietary pesticide exposure profiles and Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) risk among NutriNet-Santé cohort participants. Methods In 2014, participants completed a Food Frequency Questionnaire, assessing conventional and organic food consumption. Exposures to 25 active substances were estimated using a residue database accounting for farming practices from Chemisches und Veterinäruntersuchungsamt Stuttgart, Germany. Exposure profiles were established using Non-Negative Matrix Factorization (NMF), adapted for sparse data. Cox models adjusted for confounding factors were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI), for the association between the four obtained NMF components and T2D risk. Results The sample comprised 33,013 participants aged 53 years old on average, among which 76% of women. During follow-up (median: 5.95 years), 340 incident T2D cases were diagnosed. Positive associations were detected between NMF component 1 (reflecting high exposure to azoxystrobin, chlorpyriphos, imazalil, malathion, profenofos, thiabendazole) and T2D risk: HRQ5 vs Q1=1.47, 95% CI(1.00, 2.18). NMF Component 3 (reflecting low exposure to several synthetic pesticides) was associated with a decrease in T2D risk, among those with high dietary quality only (high adherence to French dietary guidelines): HRQ5vsQ1=0.31, 95%CI(0.10, 0.94). No associations were found for NMF Components 2 and 4. Conclusions These associations between some pesticide mixtures and T2D diabetes risk need to be confirmed in other types of studies and settings. These results could have important implications for developing prevention strategies, through regulations or dietary guidelines. Key messages Specific pesticide mixtures could play a role in increased type 2 Diabetes risk. Organic eaters were less exposed to most synthetic pesticides.

Halo Effect and Source Credibility in the Evaluation of Food Products Identified by Third-Party Certified Eco-Labels: Can Information Prevent Biased Inferences?

Despite the growing awareness of the need to promote the consumption of organic food, consumers have difficulties in correctly identifying it in the market, making frequent cognitive mistakes in the evaluation of products identified by sustainability labels and claims. This work analyzes the halo effect and the source credibility bias in the interpretation of product attributes based on third-party certified labels. It is hypothesized that, regardless of their specific meaning, official labels lead consumers to infer higher environmental sustainability, quality and price of the product, due to the credibility attributed to the certifying entity. It also examines the extent to which providing the consumer with accurate labeling information helps prevent biased heuristic thinking. An experimental between-subject study was performed with a sample of 412 Spanish business students and data were analyzed using partial least squares. Findings revealed that consumers tend to infer environmental superiority and, consequently, higher quality in products identified by both organic and non-organic certified labels, due to their credibility. Label credibility was also associated with price inferences, to a greater extent than the meaning attributed to the label. Interestingly, providing accurate information did not avoid biased heuristic thinking in product evaluation.

The role of life satisfaction and locus of control in changing purchase intentions for organic and local food during the pandemic

This study investigates the relation between locus of control, life satisfaction, and Covid-19 related changes in consumers’ intentions to purchase organic or local food. It is assumed that people with high internal locus of control pro-actively engage in pro-environmental behaviors, e.g. organic or local food consumption. In addition, literature suggests that internal locus of control positively influences life satisfaction and that the relation between life satisfaction and changes in local and organic food purchase intentions during the Covid-19 pandemic is mediated through food choice motives. The results of this study confirm these theoretical considerations. However, concerning the relation between internal locus of control and stated changes in food choices, a significant and positive relation could only be found between internal locus of control and the willingness to purchase more locally produced food items since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, but not between internal locus of control and the importance attached to organically produced food. As locus of control and life satisfaction have mainly been applied in health-related contexts so far, this study addresses the lack of research concerning its application in food and consumer behavior research. Comprehensive knowledge on these relations adds to theoretical framework building, and further research on these measures in different food-related contexts is necessary.

Similarity Effect and Purchase Behavior of Organic Food Under the Mediating Role of Perceived Values in the Context of COVID-19.

Due to the influence of COVID-19, people pay more attention to the balance between human and nature and pursue more healthy, environmental and nutritional sustainable products (such as organic food). However, the mainstream consumption of organic food is far less, especially in developing countries like China. Therefore, it is urgent to take effective measures to promote the development of China's organic food market. This current study investigated the relationships between consumers' similarity (i.e., information anxiety, uncertainty, and sustainable consumption attitude), perceived values (i.e., functional value, health value, and environmental value) and organic purchasing behavior based on the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) theoretical model and information similarity effect. And considering gender differences in consumers' similarity, perceived values and organic purchasing behavior. Meanwhile, the mediating effects of perceived values on the relationship between consumers' similarity and purchasing behavior were also discussed, considering the background of COVID-19. Data were collected using structured questionnaire survey in first-tier cities in China. A total of 344 consumers of organic foods participated in the study. Structural equation modeling was employed for data analysis. The results indicated the significant association of information anxiety, uncertainty and sustainable consumption attitude with perceived values. And perceived values and sustainable consumption attitude had a positively significant influence on purchase behavior. In addition, environmental value played mediating effects in the relationships between organic purchasing behavior and information anxiety, uncertainty and sustainable consumption attitude. And the impact of sustainable consumption attitude and environmental value on organic purchasing behavior differed in gender. The research not only provides novel insights for understanding organic consumption, but also provides reference for organic sellers to develop sales strategies and policy makers to formulate policies to guide organic consumption, which are conducive to promoting China's organic food industry.