Organic Food Products Research Articles

Assessing Environmental Concerns, Knowledge and Health Consciousness in Young Adults’ Organic Food Choices

The trend towards buying organic food is declining among young adults, which raises concerns about factors influencing their purchasing behavior. This study investigates factors affecting young adults’ buying behavior of organic food products, including environmental concerns, knowledge, and health consciousness. Survey data was collected from 100 young adults in Selangor, Malaysia. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to analyze the data. The results showed that knowledge about organic food was the strongest predictor of young adults’ organic food purchasing behavior. In addition, concern for the environment had a significant positive influence on young adults’ organic food purchasing behavior, while health consciousness showed no significant influence. These findings offer practical implications for manufacturers: to provide clear product details that can enhance consumers’ knowledge and highlight environmental advantages in marketing strategies to encourage consumption. This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the value of environmental awareness and knowledge of organic food and shedding light on the minor influence of health awareness-a topic that has received less attention in other studies.

Organic cropping systems balance environmental impacts and agricultural production

Agriculture provides food to a still growing population but is a major driver of the acceleration of global nutrient flows, climate change, and biodiversity loss. Policies such as the European Farm2Fork strategy aim to mitigate the environmental impact of land-use by fostering organic farming. To assess long-term environmental impact of organic food production we synthesized more than four decades of research on agronomic and environmental performance of the oldest system comparison experiment on organic and conventional cropping systems (DOK experiment). Two organic systems (bioorganic and biodynamic) are compared with two conventional (manure-based integrated and mineral-based) systems all with the same arable crop rotation including grass-clover, and manure from livestock integrated in all except the mineral-based system. Organic systems used 92% less pesticides and 76% less mineral nitrogen than conventional systems. Nitrogen use efficiency, that also considers biological nitrogen fixation, was above 85% for all systems. Organic fertilization with farmyard manure maintained or increased soil carbon and nitrogen stocks in the long term, especially in the biodynamic system with manure compost. Conventional mineral-based cropping reduced soil organic carbon and nitrogen stocks. Higher soil organic carbon stocks in organic cropping did not translate to increased N2O emissions, which were the main driver for 56% lower soil-based, area-scaled climate impact compared to the integrated conventional system with manure. Organic cropping systems, especially compost-based biodynamic, showed enhanced soil health, richness of micro- and macrofauna and weed species. Highest yields were achieved in integrated conventional system, with highest total nitrogen inputs and enhanced soil health compared to pure mineral fertilization. Yet, these benefits come at the cost of lower nitrogen use efficiency and higher N2O emissions. Despite a rigorous reduction of inputs yields of the organic systems achieved 85% of the conventional systems. We demonstrate at field level that organic cropping systems with reduced external nutrient inputs have less climate impact and a larger in-situ biodiversity, while providing a fertile ground for the future development of sustainable agricultural production systems.

Organic Food Demand Boosts Organic Food Production? Closer Look Into a Bibliometric Analysis of Organic Food Manufacturing Research from the Period 1998 to 2023

Introduction: Given the significance of organic food research in food manufacturing industry, bibliometric analysis within the period of 1998 to 2023 was utilised to provide a review of the body of work published in this area. The framework and central idea of the literature on organic food production in food and beverages industry by using the bibliometric analysis of the literature was further determined. To comprehend the thematic organisation and knowledge of organic food research in food manufacturing industry, the bibliographic coupling and co-citation analysis are carried out. Additionally, research trends and research direction in organic food development in food and beverages industry were fully understand by utilised co-occurrence and confluence analysis. The results of this study has suggested that there are more research are related to organic food demand and consumption which are linked to production of the organic food. Objective: Given the significance of organic food research in food manufacturing industry, bibliometric analysis within the period of 1998 to 2023 was utilised to provide a review of the body of work published in this area. Theoretical Framework: Organic production and terms related to organic food were combined in this study's nomenclature. The keywords linked with each sector had to be used to make sure that this research addressed all aspects of organic food and organic production. Method: The Scopus database, which is the largest biographical database, was used for data extraction and analysis. The research evolution and themes of organic food research in the food manufacturing industry were covered in the study for various time periods. Results and Discussion: The research evolution and themes of organic food research in the food manufacturing industry were covered in the study for various time periods. This study outlined the evolution of organic food research in the food manufacturing industry as well as potential research topics for academics.To further comprehend the research paradigm from high-quality publications, future studies may use bibliometric analysis on SCI, SSCI, and ABDC-listed articles solely. Research Implications: The current study has a number of ramifications for academics, businesspeople, marketers, and scholars. They ought to learn about the general studies that have been done in this field. They can use these papers to address the current issues in academia and business by being aware of the important contributors to this field of research and their motivations for doing so. Originality/Value: By examining many facets of organic food research, researchers have made significant contributions to this field. Studies are primarily focused on consumers’ demand facet, but there are fewer studies on the supply side from food and beverages industry. The first study on organic food development was carried out in 1998, according to the Scopus database. Since its inception till the present, organic food has taken many different forms. As there is no study that specifically focuses on organic food production in food and beverages industry, there is a need to research develop in the field of development of organic food production in food and beverages industry.

Weed management in organic dryland wheat production in the Pacific Northwest

AbstractGrowth in demand for organic small grains has increased interest in producing certified organic crops in the semiarid US Pacific Northwest. The region is well‐suited for small grain production, and there is a strong market for organic food products on the US West Coast. However, many growers encounter significant and persistent challenges with weed management, particularly management of perennial weeds such as Canada thistle [Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.] and field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis L.), but also common winter and spring annual grass weeds including cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) and wild oat (Avena fatua L.). Coupled with the need to minimize soil disturbance, weed management can become nearly intractable and production limiting. From 2004 to 2024, several short and intermediate studies have been conducted to assess weed control tactics and crop rotation effects on weed management. Lessons learned include incorporating alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) into rotations for suppression of field bindweed, or alfalfa and winter triticale (x Triticosecale Wittmack) for suppression of Canada thistle. Optimization of cultural inputs, particularly seeding rate, are critical for each crop in rotation. Animal integration and new crops such as quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) are alternatives to conventional crops and potentially profitable. Incorporation of precision mechanical and chemical systems is feasible in narrow‐row cereals, and when combined with crop rotation, it could reduce or eliminate the need for repeated transitions back to convention production for organic growers.

The organic mindset: decoding the drivers of young Indian consumer’s purchase intentions

PurposeThe purpose of the present study is to explore the factors affecting young consumers’ purchase intention towards organic food products (OFPs) and gain a comprehensive understanding of the various factors that influence how consumers perceive and respond to organic food. Therefore, this study frames and validates the measurement scale to examine the factors that may impact purchase intention among young consumers in India.Design/methodology/approachIn order to frame and validate the measurement scale for this investigation, sophisticated statistical procedures such as exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and other statistical measures utilizing SPSS v.26 and AMOS v.24 were used. This study utilized 307 samples to investigate.FindingsThe main findings of the study show that Indian consumers' intent to buy organic food items is strongly associated with factors such as “warm glow”, “cultural values”, “environmental cognition”, “natural experience”, “food safety concern”, “self-identity” and “environmental ethics”. These factors explained 69.14% of the overall variance in research variables.Practical implicationsThe present offers a novel measurement mechanism for exploring the green consumer behaviour. By applying it in real-world settings, marketers will gain insights and develop more effective, targeted strategies to promote OFPs among young Indian consumers.Originality/valueThe study brings together a diverse set of antecedents that have not been collectively analysed in the context of consumer purchase intention for OFPs. The emphasis on environmental ethics, green self-identity and related constructs aligns with the growing global emphasis on sustainability.

Natural pesticide, Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Neem), disrupted reproductive parameters of male rats

Ethnopharmacological relevanceNeem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) is native to India and belongs to the Meliaceae family. It has been used for centuries in Eastern medicine, and more recently, as a natural pesticide. Although the use of bioinsecticides is supported by organic food production, further research is needed on each formulation, particularly on their effects on organisms. Aim of the studyThis study evaluated the reproductive toxicity of an aqueous extract of neem leaves in male Wistar rats of reproductive age after eight days of exposure. Materials and methodsFor this study, 20 rats were divided into four groups of five animals each and treated with different concentrations: Group 1 received 10,000 ppm, Group 2 received 7500 ppm, Group 3 received 5000 ppm, and Group 4 served as the control, received distilled water. The animals were observed for eight days for any clinical signs of toxicity. Semen quality, including sperm motility and viability, was analyzed. ResultsNo significant differences in physiological changes were observed between treatments. However, sperm motility and viability were affected in a concentration-dependent manner, with the group that received the highest dose exhibiting inviable spermatozoa. ConclusionThe data suggested that the administered doses had low toxicity. Nevertheless, concerns regarding reproductive toxicity remain because motility and sperm viability are negatively affected at the highest dose. Although bioinsecticides are widely used in organic food production, further research on each formulation, particularly regarding their long-term effects on organisms, is required.

Eager or passive? Decoding potential consumer profiles based on knowledge and perceptions regarding organic food products

Organic food-choice behaviour has gained paramount interest from researchers and marketers due to the growing inclination of consumers towards healthy and sustainable lifestyles. With regard to India, despite being a leading producer and exporter of organic products, its domestic market is still in nascent stages of evolution. To overcome the underlying attitude-intention-behaviour gap in such emerging markets, it is imperative to identify targetable segments based on factors that are relevant to these markets. The present study makes a novel attempt at segmenting potential organic consumers based on their knowledge and perceptions regarding organic products. Robust analytical procedures, including a two-stage cluster analysis and multiple discriminant analysis, were employed to draw consumer profiles based on a sample of 608 Indian consumers. The analysis resulted in four mutually exclusive segments, which exhibited significant heterogeneity with respect to various clustering and profiling variables, namely actual and perceived knowledge regarding organic products, price and availability perceptions, trust in organic products, and purchase intention. The aware enthusiasts displayed high knowledge, while both the aware and unaware enthusiasts exhibited favourable organic perceptions and high purchase intention and behaviour. The sceptics had positive perceptions but displayed a lack of trust in organic sellers and regulatory frameworks. The laggards exhibited the least favourable perceptions and had the lowest intention and purchase behaviour. The study identifies potential target segments of organic consumers and throws light on how consumers construe organic food products. Furthermore, marketing strategies are recommended to tap these segments, considering the core characteristics specific to each segment.

Blockchain-based food traceability system and pro-environmental consumption: A moderated mediation model of technology anxiety and trust in organic food product

Blockchain technology is increasingly recognized as a transformative tool for enhancing clarity and responsibility in the organic food supply chain, where concerns about product authenticity and safety are paramount. By offering provable and translucent information about the origination, production processes, and administration of organic items, blockchain helps to reduce information asymmetry and builds consumer trust, which is critical for purchase decisions in the organic food market. Drawing on insights from the trust theory and the stimulus-organism-response framework, this study uses a moderated mediation model to explore how technology anxiety negatively moderates the direct and indirect influences of blockchain-based food traceability systems on trust in organic food products and organic food purchase intention. Using a targeted sample of 5326 consumers in Vietnam, the PROCESS macro approach (models 8 and 4) is utilized to examine the formulated hypotheses. The results demonstrate that blockchain-based food traceability systems notably enhance consumer trust in organic food products and their intention to buy these products. Trust in organic food products serves as a mediator in the connection between blockchain-based traceability and purchase intention, while technology anxiety weakens the positive impacts of blockchain technology on trust and purchase intention when anxiety levels are high. This research makes crucial contributions to the literature by offering a mechanism-based explanation of how blockchain technology enhances consumer trust in organic food products and integrates technological anxiety as a moderator, providing a deeper understanding of how technological innovations shape consumer behavior. In light of the findings, several critical recommendations have been proposed for practitioners and policymakers.

Organic Food Products - A study on Consumers Perspective in Udgir Town of Maharashtra

In the recent decade we have observed a trend of emerging concern among human beings on the planet earth towards ecology and environment. The increasing concern among humans about environment has led to the increasing demand and requirement for Eco-friendly Organic Food products in the Indian market. As awareness of environmental issues and health concerns rises, consumers increasingly seek sustainable food options that align with their values. This study examines key factors influencing consumer choices, including perceived health benefits, environmental impact, and the importance of ethical sourcing. Through survey, insights are gathered on consumer knowledge of organic certifications, pricing concerns, and the role of marketing in shaping perceptions Considering the environmental concerns this articles states that today the consumers are optimistic and have a positive attitude towards Organic Food products and consumers do prefer to buy such products even if they have to pay a premium for the same which is usually influenced by certain variables that include their perceptions about the benefits that Eco-friendly Organic Food organic food products provide, along with the societal norms and personal values moreover including their understanding towards environmental concerns. The study is concluded with certain suggestions that emphasizes on various methods to increase the consumer awareness towards Eco-friendly Organic Food products and based on sustainability encourage the Eco-friendly Food consumption pattern. The findings reveal a growing trend towards prioritizing eco-friendly products, suggesting a shift in market dynamics that could influence future agricultural practices and food production. Understanding these consumer attitudes is essential for producers and retailers aiming to meet the demand for sustainable food options and to promote a healthier planet.

Structural equations modelling applied to the study of Communities Supported Agriculture (CSAs) located in the Southeastern region of Brazil

Food production is an increasingly relevant issue in the current framework associated with food and water security and future years projections. In addition, the production of organic food has gained significance in recent years, revealing a growing change in the population's consumption habits. The Communities Supported Agriculture (CSAs) play an important role in enabling productive areas for planting crops in agroecological and biodynamic standards. Given this, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between different CSAs variables located in the Southeastern region of Brazil to validate or not the hypotheses created. Thus, the study was designed as a descriptive research and quantitative approach, using an inductive logic survey. In addition, the methodology was set up with the support of the Structural Equation Modeling technique. The study confirmed the hypothesis (H1) that socioeconomic characteristics positively influence CSAs’ performance. The limitations were associated with the method of data collection and the difficulties imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Organic wheat: Lessons learned and challenges remaining

AbstractWheat has been an important part of the human diet for millennia. The increase in demand for wheat grown organically in the United States and globally reflects the growing interest in organic food and food products. A symposium on organic wheat production was held during the annual meeting of the American Society of Agronomy in Baltimore, MD, during 2021. Presenters discussed the state‐of‐the‐science on organic wheat research. Papers were solicited following the symposium for inclusion in this special section. As a result, five papers are included in this special section: four focus on organic wheat research in North America while one discusses results of a European study.

Consumer Intention to Purchase Organic Ice Cream: How Health Awareness and Product Knowledge Support SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-Being

Objective: The study aims to examine the factors influencing consumer purchase intention towards organic ice cream in Indonesia. Adopting organic food products aligns with SDG 3, which promotes a healthy lifestyle. Theoretical Framework: This study employs the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework as the foundation for model development. The TPB model is expanded with additional variables: health awareness and product knowledge. Method: This type of research is quantitative research with a sample of 262 respondents. The sampling technique in this study used purposive sampling, and the data collection method used a survey. To test the data collected with Structural Equation Model (SEM) Partial Least Square (PLS). Results and Discussion: Consumers with high knowledge about the health benefits of organic ice cream tend to have a higher intention to purchase it. Product knowledge has a positive and significant indirect impact on the intention to buy organic ice cream through its influence on attitude. Research Implications: Our research highlights the knowledge gap regarding organic ice cream, in developing countries such as Indonesia. By extending the TPB model, we provide a more nuanced understanding of consumer decision-making processes. Originality/Value: Theoretically, this study addresses a gap in the existing literature by examining the mediating role of attitudes in predicting the intention to purchase organic ice cream. In practice, marketers need to increase organic food advertising and conduct consumer education to help them recognize organic products and their good health effects.

Examining consumers’ willingness to pay premium price for organic food

This study examines the factors influencing organic food consumption and willingness to pay premium prices in the context of an emerging economy. The extended attitudinal behavior-scenario model, rooted in Signaling theory, served as the foundation for the proposed model. A convenience sample of 470 young Chinese consumers was collected through online and offline surveys. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized relationships. The results reveal that consumers’ environmental concern, environmental values, value perception, price sensitivity, and green promotion significantly affect their attitudes toward organic food. In addition, consumers’ health consciousness, value perception, price sensitivity, and green promotion demonstrate significant positive effects on their intention to consume organic food. Moreover, consumer attitude toward organic food substantially influences their intention to consume it. Similarly, consumer attitude, intention, and green psychological benefits significantly affect their willingness to pay premium prices for organic food. In addition, the indirect effects of consumer attitude toward organic food and intention to consume in the relationship between the factors and willingness to pay premium prices provide interesting findings. This study offers valuable guidance for policymakers in developing appropriate strategies to expand the organic food market and provides a solid foundation for future research on organic food consumption. This study suggests that policymakers should concentrate on enhancing awareness and knowledge of organic food, promoting organic food production, and prioritizing campaigns that emphasize the exceptional health advantages of organic food to encourage greater consumption.

Leverage points for the uptake of organic food production and consumption in the United Kingdom

Organic food systems are recognised as an important component in meeting United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals. A leverage points perspective can help to identify approaches which have the potential to facilitate transformative systemic change towards organic and sustainable farming. Using fuzzy cognitive maps developed from expert stakeholder opinions, we modelled a system of drivers of organic food production and consumption in the United Kingdom, according to the UN Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agriculture systems framework. The most influential concepts in the uptake of organic systems were related to system norms and values and social structures, such as short-term economic thinking, landowner engagement, and relationships with certification bodies. However, in a scenario analysis, organic stakeholders identified relatively shallower leverage points as more likely to change under a sustainable future, resulting in limited systemic change. This demonstrates the need for policies targeting system norms, values and social structures relating to food systems to facilitate the transition to organic and sustainable farming.

Who can you trust? The curvilinear effects of producer-retailer trust (im)balance in organic food consumption – The moderation role of trust in blockchain technology

Little is known about the role of producer-retailer trust congruence in the organic food supply chain, while blockchain technology is considered a ‘trust machine’ in this supply chain. This research adopts the lens of the trust transfer theory to explore how trust in organic food producers can congruently and incongruently interact with trust in organic food retailers to trigger consumers’ trust in organic food products, which, in turn, interact with trust in blockchain technology to reinforce consumers’ purchase decisions. Using a purposive sample of 5326 Vietnamese consumers, the research employs an advanced method-polynomial regression with response surface analysis test the hypothesized model. The findings reveal that both trust in organic food producers and trust in organic food retailers significantly affect trust in organic food products, with trust in organic food products being higher when trust in organic food producers and trust in organic food retailers are balanced at a high level. These trusts also pose serial indirect effects on consumers’ purchase decisions through trust in organic food producers and purchase intentions. Trust in blockchain technology was found to positively moderate the impact of trust in organic food producers on consumers’ organic food purchase intentions. Based on the findings, some practical implications for stakeholders are released.

Potential Health Benefits of a Diet Rich in Organic Fruit and Vegetables versus a Diet Based on Conventional Produce: A Systematic Review.

Over the past decade, the production and consumption of organic food (OF) have received increasing interest. Scientific studies have shown better quality of organic fruit and vegetables (FV) in terms of nutrients and pesticide contents, but it appears difficult to conclude if there are potentially greater health benefits of these products compared with conventional food (CF). To determine whether the current scientific literature demonstrates that a diet rich in organic FV is healthier than 1 based on conventional produce. A systematic search was conducted using the PubMed and Web of Science databases for articles published between January 2003 and December 2022. Articles were analyzed uniformly by 2 reviewer, using a specific template summary sheet, and scored from 1 to 5. The level of evidence and the quality of studies in humans were assessed using the Jadad score and the French National Authority for Health method. A total of 12 human studies were included. Studies often reported contradictory or even opposite results, with methodological limitations. Only 6 of the 12 studies found significant associations between OF and the health outcomes evaluated. The current data do not enable a firm conclusion about a greater health benefit for a diet rich in FV based on products grown organically compared with conventional farming. There is a paucity of available data and considerable heterogeneity in study designs (participants, exposures, durations, health outcomes, and residual confounding factors). Well-designed interventional studies are required.

Does Organic Food Consumers’ Perception of Organisation CSR Matter: Evidence from Malaysia

This article aims to test whether organic food consumers’ perception of organisations’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) matters by examining the specific attributes that consumers prioritise in gauging the corporate CSR of organisations manufacturing organic food products in Malaysia. A structured Likert scale questionnaire was used to collect data from a total of 313 consumers utilising the survey method. Findings suggest that organisations should prioritise stakeholders’ interest through positive health benefits of organic food products, environmental commitment, product knowledge, trustworthy information and affordable prices rather than using CSR as a growth factor to promote quality and sustainability only. The study emphasises the role of the Malaysian government in enhancing the standards of organic food production and processing, which will motivate many companies to venture into organic farming and lead towards less reliance on imports of organic food. This will build up consumer trust and satisfaction towards organic produce. Lastly, there will be an increase in consumer trust and satisfaction towards organic produce as demand increases after the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, this study is suitable for organic food manufacturers who intend to improve social image, stakeholder experience and value creation, which will help brand their products. The implications of this study are generalisable not only in Malaysia but worldwide since the world is moving towards the new normal, and precautionary measures to combat health issues are prioritised.

Unpacking consumer reactions toward unexpected spoilage of organic versus conventional perishables

AbstractThe retail industry greatly relies on perishable foods, which are integral to consumers' shopping routines. However, it remains unclear how consumers react to their spoilage. This study is an initial attempt to explore how consumers react to unexpected product spoilage of organic versus conventional food products and how their evaluations can lead to different emotional and behavioral outcomes. The investigation includes five studies specifically focused on whether organic or conventional foods elicit different consumer reactions toward spoilage. The results of these studies indicate that consumers exhibit attenuated emotional reactions toward organic product spoilage compared to conventional products. In contrast, food spoilage leads to higher levels of anger toward conventional products, resulting in negative behavioral intentions. Moreover, price is found to moderate the aforementioned conditional consumer reactions. In all, these findings have significant implications for retailers and manufacturers in designing and promoting their products to meet consumers' preferences and expectations.

Understanding Consumers’ Willingness to Pay More and Choice Behavior for Organic Food Products Considering the Influence of Skepticism

The purpose of this research is to uncover consumers’ willingness to pay more (WTPM) and their choice behavior (CB) for organic food products using the Theory of Consumption Values (TCV) while also examining how skepticism toward organic labeling impacts the relationship between WTPM and CB. This study includes 374 survey responses collected using purposive sampling. The statistical software package IBM SPSS 28 was utilized for factor analysis and reliability, while CFA, validity, and structural assessments were carried out using AMOS 28 software. Process Macro 4.1 was employed to study the interaction of skepticism. This study reveals that consumers favor organic foods due to various values: price, social, emotional, epistemic, and conditional. Despite this, only price value directly affects the willingness to pay more. Once committed, consumers are willing to pay more, yet skepticism can hinder this commitment. Marketers should highlight the health, eco-friendliness, and value benefits of organic food products through advertisements and infomercials linking organics to daily life. Emotional appeals can stress the harms of non-organic foods, though skepticism must be managed delicately by gaining consumers’ trust.

Comparative Study of Natural Fibres to Improve Insulation in Wooden Beehives Using Sensor Networks

The beekeeping sector is increasingly focused on creating optimal and natural environments for honeybees to reduce dependence on external factors, especially given progressively hotter summers. Improving hive thermal conditions can enhance bee wellbeing and production. While pinewood hives are predominant, some have started using insulating materials like polystyrene. However, many synthetic materials, despite their excellent insulation properties, are incompatible with organic food production, requiring alternative solutions. This study compares the thermal insulation properties of various natural materials, including white and black agglomerated cork, wood fibres, and rock mineral wool. These materials are potentially compatible with organic food production. Additionally, the research evaluates cost-effective sensor networks to monitor bioclimatic variables in real time. Lab tests using a Langstroth-type hive with a controlled heat source were conducted, monitoring temperature and humidity inside and outside the hive. The results revealed that all selected materials provided similar thermal insulation, superior to a hive without insulation. This finding suggests that using natural materials can enhance hive thermal comfort (i.e., the material’s ability to maintain a stable internal temperature), thereby improving honeybee wellbeing and productivity in a manner compatible with organic food production.