Products In Poland Research Articles

A collaborative project of the medical research agency on new nicotine products in Poland: NIKO study protocol

A collaborative project of the medical research agency on new nicotine products in Poland: NIKO study protocol

A collaborative project of the medical research agency on new nicotine products in Poland: Preliminary results of the IDI survey. A NIKO study

A collaborative project of the medical research agency on new nicotine products in Poland: Preliminary results of the IDI survey. A NIKO study

Assessment of Gluten-Free Products' Availability and Satisfaction in a Polish Population of Coeliac Disease Patients and Their Caregivers.

Among the most important challenges associated with the gluten-free diet are the high costs and limited availability of gluten-free products, accompanied by the lower nutritional value of gluten-free products. The aim of the presented study was to assess gluten-free products' availability and satisfaction in a Polish population of coeliac-disease patients and their caregivers. The study was conducted in a population of Polish female coeliac-disease patients and female family members/relatives of patients diagnosed with coeliac disease, being members of the Polish Coeliac Society and purchasing gluten-free products. A population of n = 819 was included in the studied group based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria (n = 547 of patients and n = 272 of family members/relatives of patients). The study was conducted as a part of an international project to assess the opinions of coeliac-disease patients about gluten-free products, as well as the availability and prices of gluten-free products in various countries, while an identical questionnaire was applied in all participating countries, with transcultural adaptation applied. Opinions concerning the availability of and satisfaction with gluten-free products were assessed based on a questionnaire of agreement with fixed statements about the accessibility, range and quality of gluten-free products in Poland, with a five-point Likert scale to declare the agreement. This was stratified by the following variables: age, place of residence, being diagnosed with coeliac disease, place of purchasing major grocery shopping, gluten-free products at least occasionally bought online, declared problem(s) with the availability and quality of gluten-free products. While comparing the studied sub-groups, it may be stated that some of them were more satisfied than the other sub-groups with the gluten-free products, including their availability and quality; namely, older respondents were more satisfied than younger ones (p < 0.05), respondents living in small towns/villages were more satisfied than those living in big cities (p < 0.05), respondents undertaking major grocery shopping in hypermarkets were more satisfied than those not doing this (p < 0.05), and respondents not buying gluten-free products online were more satisfied than those undertaking this at least occasionally (p < 0.05). At the same time, respondents diagnosed with coeliac disease were more satisfied with the availability and less satisfied with the quality of gluten-free products, while respondents with diagnosed family members/relatives were less satisfied with the availability and more satisfied with the quality (p < 0.05). The group of female coeliac-disease patients and female family members/relatives of patients diagnosed with coeliac disease was highly diverse in terms of their satisfaction with gluten-free products' availability and quality, whilst older respondents, respondents living in small towns/villages, respondents doing major grocery shopping in hypermarkets, and respondents not buying gluten-free products online were more satisfied. Respondents with family members/relatives diagnosed with coeliac disease declared serious efforts and sacrifice to purchase gluten-free products, which was associated with their higher satisfaction with quality and lower satisfaction with availability, while respondents diagnosed with coeliac disease chose easier options, resulting in their higher satisfaction with availability and lower satisfaction with quality.

CHANGES IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCT PRICES IN POLAND DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

The article analyzed the level and changes in prices of selected agricultural products in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic. The scope of the analysis included data for the years 2018-2022. Central Statistical Office data on the purchase and prices of agricultural products and the consumer price index (CPI) were used. Data on purchasing prices included average annual and monthly prices for products paid to agricultural producers by purchasing entities (commercial, industrial and agricultural). The prices of carefully selected agricultural products were analyzed – three from animal production and three from plant production, i.e. pigs, poultry, cow milk and potatoes, which constitute the basis of the household consumption basket, and rye and wheat, as the basic raw materials of the food industry. In 2021-2022, the purchase prices of agricultural products, calculated as an arithmetic average, increased annually. Analyzing price changes expressed by the m/m index and the price dispersion measure, greater dynamics and, potatoes and pigs. These phenomena were reported on a larger scale in 2021-2022. Prices of selected agricultural products and the value of the price index of consumer goods and services showed similar directions of changes. Agricultural product prices and CPI values were relatively stable in 2018-2019. The highest prices of selected agricultural products, their dispersion, changes expressed in amounts and percentages, as well as CPI values, were recorded in 2021-2022. The values of seasonality indices of purchase prices for agricultural products indicated the greatest variability concerning the average prices in the season, taking the example of potato purchase prices.

Digital smoke signals: Event-driven online search trends in Heated Tobacco Products in Poland.

Heated tobacco products (HTPs) have emerged as a prominent category in the tobacco market, particularly within European countries such as Poland. The introduction of HTPs has been met with increasing public interest, reflected in online search behavior. However, the public health implications of this new form of tobacco consumption remain a concern due to the lack of comprehensive research on its long-term effects. This study aimed to track the trends in online searches related to HTPs in Poland between 2016 and 2022, and to assess the impact of significant events on these trends in order to provide insights into public awareness of HTPs. Utilizing Google Trends, a free source tool, this study analyzed relative search volume (RSV) for HTP-related keywords in Poland. Key events were identified and mapped against the fluctuations in RSV to understand their impact on search behavior. The analysis was confined to specific HTP-related keywords, excluding broader tobacco-related terms. A notable increase in HTP-related search queries was observed, particularly around the time of product launches and legislative changes. The largest increases occurred during the introduction of HTPs to the Polish market and during major events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The study demonstrates a market interest in HTPs among Polish internet users, with search trends influenced by product launches and policy changes. The findings highlight the importance of monitoring online behaviors to inform public health efforts, despite limitations such as the lack of demographic data. Further research is needed to deepen the understanding of how these online trends correlate with actual consumer behavior and product sales.

External audits and official controls – what’s the difference in their usefulness and credibility?

PurposeThe study aims to determine whether audited organizations experience differences between external audits and official controls.Design/methodology/approachA survey among 100 organic food producers was conducted to explore differences regarding the usability of external audits and official controls. The survey was conducted in 2020 using the computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) method supplemented by the computer-assisted web interview (CAWI) method. Organizations processing organic farming products in Poland were chosen for the study.FindingsThree primary benefits associated with external audits and official controls were identified, i.e. (1) enabling and initiating activities related to the improvement of the organization, (2) improving the financial performance of the organization and (3) enhancing credibility. For most organizations, the assessment of these features was at the same level for both external audits and official control. However, if these assessments differed, commercial audits were assessed at a higher level than official controls.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited to only one specific type of manufacturing organization and one European country.Originality/valueThe literature review shows some conceptual differences between audits and official controls, but the results of this study show that the business environment does not perceive these differences as significant. Thus, the value of the study is reflected in the conclusion that both external audits and official controls are considered useful and credible approaches to monitoring the quality within the organization, which allows us to state that external evaluation is generally seen as an opportunity to improve the performance of the organization.

Complex pension products: A multidimensional approach

Abstract The study analyzes and assesses the economic and linguistic complexity of individual retirement products in Poland. For this purpose, an original multidimensional approach was used and various research methods were applied. We analyzed 75 out of 86 individual pension products (IKEs and IKZEs) offered in Poland in the first half of 2017, covering our analysis of nearly 90% of Poland’s market of individual pension products. We performed the nonparametric Spearman’s rank correlation analysis, we used hierarchical cluster analysis, analysis of variance, and a chi-square test to verify if there was a statistical relationship between the clusters and the type of financial provider and the type of individual pension product (IKE or IKZE). We also built also a map of the products that shows their economic and linguistic complexity. We find that high-fee products tend to have the most complex fee systems, suggesting that the complex fee system may be a strategy used by the providers of individual retirement products. Our results also indicate that individual retirement products are too complex for most individuals.

Risk-indicative or sustainable consumption? Consumers’ risk perception on conventional and organic food products in Poland

The consumption of organic food is becoming increasingly popular and, to avoid numerous threats to human health and the natural environment, the issues devoted to it require greater attention from decision-makers, producers, and consumers. Consumer decisions have an impact on shaping food consumption patterns and recently the trend of the consumption of conventional versus organic food products has been widely discussed. This is especially true given the fact that the area of human health is strongly related to the consumption of food products produced under the challenges of environmental protection and sustainability. The study aimed to investigate if the perception of consumption among Polish respondents was risk-indicative or sustainable based on the animal, fruit, and vegetable products purchased from conventional or organic production. The results revealed that fruit and vegetable consumption was not identically related with socio-demographic features, but the income level equally affected consumer choices regarding the purchase of organic food products. Gender and marital status only influenced decisions regarding the purchase of organic fruit. The consumption of animal products regarding the frequency of their consumption did not reveal the features of sustainability. The metal accumulation index (MAI) for conventionally cultivated vegetables was not higher for all of the investigated vegetables, namely pumpkin, spring onion, cabbage, lettuce, spinach, and garlic. Our study contributes to addressing the knowledge gap on consumer choices about organic food products in Poland.

Heated tobacco products and cigarette marketing in nightclubs in Gdansk, Poland: A mixed-methods analysis.

Although advertising and promotion of tobacco products in Poland are prohibited, tobacco companies exploit legal loopholes and insufficient enforcement of the laws to conduct their marketing. To reach young adults, advertisements are placed in entertainment and social venues. This aspect of tobacco product marketing in Poland remains under-researched. The main aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and characteristics of advertising and promotion of tobacco products in nightclubs in Gdansk, a large city in northern Poland. We conducted a single-center observational study of nightclubs in Gdansk, between July and October 2022. Two independent observers visited 30 nightclubs and collected information using pre-prepared research form. The occurrences of tobacco branded bar accessories, logo signs, package displays and other forms of advertising and promotion were recorded. Where possible, photographs of visible marketing displays were taken. Advertising of tobacco products was present in 2/3 of the nightclubs observed. The most commonly advertised product category were heated tobacco products. Tobacco brand representatives promoted and offered consumers free tobacco product samples. Multi-level marketing activities were observed, including tobacco branded bar accessories, prominent sale points and tobacco brand logo signs. The majority of nightclubs observed in Gdansk advertise and promote tobacco products. The ban on tobacco advertising and promotion is being violated in nightclubs, where the most commonly advertised products are heated tobacco products. The authorities should take steps to extend the bans to cover private promotion and enforce the law to protect high-risk individuals from smoking initiation and relapse.

Health-Promoting Food Labelling – Benefits and Drawbacks

Abstract This work systematizes the knowledge on several food labelling systems, namely the Nutri-Score, the NutrInform, and the Mediterranean Index (Med Index). The Nutri-Score system assesses nutritional value of a product per 100 g or 100 ml with no consideration of usually consumed serving as well as vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds. The concept of NutrInform does not label food products as ‘good’ or ‘bad’. Instead, it indicates energy content in a serving (50 or 100 g) and contents of individual nutrients in a serving along with the percentage of their reference values of recommended daily intake. Thus, the NutrInform label placed on a product by a manufacturer participating in the system presents information in the following order: energy content in calories, contents of fatty acids, saturated fatty acids, sugars, and salt (everything expressed in grams). The Med Index covers three pillars of sustainability, taking into account nutritional, environmental, and social aspects. This labelling system assesses 27 criteria (9 for each pillar), the presence or absence of which is immediately visible to the consumer by a different colour of a label on the front of the pack (where blue reflects to the best score). A single graphic symbol allows consumers to simultaneously analyse various properties of the product and/or its production process in a few seconds. It forms a useful tool for comparing food products belonging to the same category and a useful system for ending the information asymmetry that characterizes the market of many food products. In our opinion, the concept of the Med Index would be the most useful considering health-promoting labelling of food products in Poland.

The Genotyping Diversity and Hemolytic Activity of Cronobacter spp. Isolated from Plant-Based Food Products in Poland.

The present study aimed to determine the genotyping diversity and hemolytic properties of 24 strains of Cronobacter spp. (15 Cronobacter sakazakii, 6 Cronobacter malonaticus, 2 Cronobacter turicensis, and 1 Cronobacter condimenti) isolated from commercial ready-to-eat leaf vegetables, sprouts, nuts, and dried fruits. The multilocus sequence typing (MLST) method was used to determine the sequence types (ST) and clonal complexes (CC) of these strains. The study demonstrated the high genotypic diversity of the Cronobacter genus bacteria isolated from plant-based foods. Five novel sequence types (804, 805, 806, 807, and 808) and the presence of novel alleles in the ppsA, gltB, gyrB, and infB loci were detected. In total, 16 of the 24 strains were assigned to the sequence types ST99, ST258, ST17, ST648, ST21, ST494, and ST98. One C. sakazakii strain (s12) isolated from alfalfa sprouts was assigned to the clonal complex CC4, which encompasses strains often associated with severe infections leading to meningitis in infants. In addition, 87.5% and 16.7% of the Cronobacter spp. strains showed β-hemolysis of equine and sheep red blood cells, respectively. The presence of the pathogenic species C. sakazakii, C. malonaticus, and C. turicensis in ready-to-eat plant-derived food products shows they are potential sources of infection, especially to those with compromised immunity, which substantiates their further multi-faceted characterization. The significance of this study may prove useful not only in epidemiological investigations, but also in assessing the risk of infections caused by the presence of Cronobacter.

Edible Insects: A Study of the Availability of Insect-Based Food in Poland

In Poland, there has been a significant surge of interest in exploring insects as a novel food source in recent years. This increased interest is evident in various sectors of society, from researchers and food manufacturers to consumers and culinary experts. For example, research institutions have been conducting studies to assess the nutritional value and environmental impact of insect-based foods, while food companies are actively experimenting on how incorporating insect-based ingredients into their product lines affects consumer preferences. Although insect-based food products are highly valued in many parts of the world, their development has only gained attention in Poland over the last decade. Researchers and startups began conducting studies and developing insect-based food alternatives at the beginning of 2015. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the market availability of insect-based food products in Poland. Since the success of insect-based food products in the Polish market depends on the willingness of consumers to buy this type of food alternative, the results of a narrow recent literature review have been summarized in this study and point out consumer perceptions and barriers to choosing insect-based food products. The aim of this narrow literature review was to provide information on consumer perceptions and barriers to consuming insect-based food products so that producers and manufacturers in Poland can design marketing strategies. To achieve the aim of this study, the websites of several food stores were examined that sell insect-based food products in Poland and created a database. Then, to identify the perceptions and barriers towards insect-based food products, the results of a few studies conducted in Poland and other countries were summarized. Six online food stores operating in Poland that sell insect-based food products were found. In total, seventy-three products that were available on the market were analyzed. The results showed that Polish consumers have access to a large variety of insect-based food alternatives, such as whole insects, protein bars, and several types of powdered insect-based food products. However, their purchasing behavior is reluctant due to several barriers, such as food neophobia and disgust, lack of familiarity with the product, lack of information about the handling and preparation of insects, and ways to incorporate insects into the daily diets of consumers. Insect-based food producers and manufacturers in Poland should consider these results when tailoring their marketing strategies.

Trends in the acrylamide content of potato products in Poland in the years 2004–2020

This study aimed to analyse the acrylamide content of potato products tested as part of nationwide monitoring studies in 2004–2020, and to assess trends in the changes in the compound level over 17 years. The analysis of trends in the acrylamide content of individual potato product categories was carried out using the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis rank-sum test, assuming the significance of differences at p < 0.05. The highest median, statistically significant (p < 0.001), acrylamide content was found in potato crisps (388 μg/kg), followed by French fries sampled from bars and restaurants (272 μg/kg) as well as French fries prepared from pre-fried frozen semi-finished products (172 μg/kg). A significant (p < 0.01) downward trend in the acrylamide content was found in all three potato product categories tested. The result analysis showed that, during the applicability period (2011–2020) of legislation relating to indicative value/benchmark levels, the aforementioned values were exceeded in single samples only, which represented less than 2.5% of all samples tested. In all three potato product categories, a significant (p < 0.0001) downward trend of acrylamide content in potato products was observed over the 17 years studied. Both potato product manufacturers and legislators should take more effective measures to further reduce the acrylamide content in food. Given the adverse effects of acrylamide on human health, reducing its levels in food should be a priority in risk management.

The excise duty gap on tobacco products in Poland

One of the ways to raise budget revenue from taxes involves sealing the tax system. This includes eliminating evasion of the payment of excise duty on tobacco products, especially traditional cigarettes and tobacco used for roll-your-own cigarettes. The aim of the research described in the article is to estimate the excise duty gap on tobacco products in Poland on the basis of a survey addressed directly to consumers. The data were drawn from reports prepared for the Polish Chief Sanitary Inspectorate (Pol. Główny Inspektorat Sanitarny – GIS), covering the years 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019. The number of consumed traditional and roll-your-own cigarettes was calculated. Therefore, the estimates are more consistent with the definition of a tax gap as they include the consumption of roll-your-own cigarettes. According to the research, the excise duty gap on tobacco products was relatively stable between 2013 and 2017 (fluctuating from PLN 5.69 bn to PLN 6.98 bn) and then dropped considerably in 2019 (to PLN 0.94 bn). Nonetheless, increasing the state budget revenue from excise duty on tobacco products is still possible. The growth in the number of smokers in the years 2021 and 2022 allowed the predication that, if other conditions remained the same, the excise duty gap in 2022 would increase in comparison to 2019.

Long-matured cured meats from Poland and Europe compared – An overview

This review aimed to present different varieties of long-matured cured meats, such as cold cuts, sausages, and hams produced in Poland, and compare them with similar European products. Moreover, we briefly presented the impact of meat products on human health. Due to its significant production in Poland, most meat products are made of pork. Polish long-matured, cured meats are nutritious, provide essential amino acids and micronutrients, and are a balanced source of monosaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). We suggest choosing cured Polish meat products matured with probiotics to provide pro-health benefits. Although long-matured sausages are essential and valuable meat products in Poland, they should be consumed moderately as an element of a balanced, diverse diet.

The Identification of the Abundance of European Larch Trees in Polish Forests

The purpose of the study was to identify the abundance of European larch trees in Polish forests, taking into account the size of areas and their location. A dendrometric analysis (volume, age of trees) was performed as a source of knowledge on the availability of the raw material base as a response to the production needs of wood products in Poland. The detailed data were made available in 2023 by the Directorate General of State Forests on the basis of a license specifying the conditions of use of the vector record of the forest numerical map and appraisal description data. European larch trees are in areas all around Poland. They grow throughout the country, with most stands located in the southern and northern parts of Poland. Stands with a dominant share of larch in the species composition (i.e., those that are part of trees stands with a minimum area of 0.1 ha) occupy 44,813 ha and occur in 17,553 stand divisions. The analysis of productivity showed that the average height of larch stands in Poland ranges from 5 m to 45 m. Tree stands are predominately 26–30 m in height. Most stands with trees over 30 m high are located in the RDFS Krosno (over 15% of the entire forest area with larch as the dominant species). European larch stands in Poland are characterized by significant differences in the average DBH. They are correlated with the age of the stands.

Storing Carbon in Forest Biomass and Wood Products in Poland—Energy and Climate Perspective

Huge amounts of carbon being sequestered in forest ecosystems make them an important land carbon sink at the global scale. Their ability to withdraw carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, whose concentration is gradually increasing due to anthropogenic emissions, renders them important natural climate-mitigation solutions. The urgent need for transition from high to zero net emission on country, continental, and global scales, to slow down the warming to an acceptable level, calls for the analysis of different economic sectors’ roles in reaching that ambitious goal. Here, we examine changes in CO2 emission and sequestration rates during recent decades focusing on the coal-dominated energy sector and Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry (LULUCF) as well as wood production at the country level. The main purpose of the presented study is to examine the potential of storing carbon in standing forest biomass and wood products in Poland as well as the impact of disturbances. The ratio of LULUCF absorption of CO2 to its emission in Poland has ranged from about 1% in 1992 to over 15% in 2005. From a climate-change mitigation point of view, the main challenge is how to maximize the rate and the duration of CO2 withdrawal from the atmosphere by its storage in forest biomass and wood products. Enhancing carbon sequestration and storage in forest biomass, via sustainable and smart forestry, is considered to be a nature-based climate solution. However, not only forests but also wood-processing industries should be included as important contributors to climate-change mitigation, since harvested wood products substitute materials like concrete, metal, and plastic, which have a higher carbon footprint. The energy perspective of the paper embraces two aspects. First, CO2 sequestration in forests and subsequently in harvested wood products, is an effective strategy to offset a part of national CO2 emissions, resulting largely from fossil fuel burning for energy-production purposes. Second, wood as biomass is a renewable energy source itself, which played an important role in sustaining energy security for many individual citizens of Poland during the unusual conditions of winter 2022/2023, with a scarce coal supply.

The pace of removing asbestos-containing products in Poland and the forecast time for the completion of this process

The pace of removing asbestos-containing products in Poland and the forecast time for the completion of this process

Rosyjskie kosmetyki z Europy czy europejskie kosmetyki z Rosji - kraj pochodzenia w komunikacji marki Natura Siberica w kontekście bojkotu rosyjskich produktów

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the problem of understanding the country-of-origin of products and brands in the context pf the boycott of Russian products in Poland after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The author discusses the most important issues related to understanding the “nationality: of brands and, on the example of Natura Siberica founded in Russia, shows how communicating about the country of origin affects brand identity, its perception and functioning on the market. It also indicates the problems and changes in communication of Natura Siberica, which has so far benefited from implementation of associations related to Siberia into its marketing narration.

ROLE OF IMPORTS IN THE SUPPLY OF RAW MATERIALS IN THE FOOD PROCESSING SECTOR IN POLAND

The aim of the article is to assess the significance of imports in the supply of raw materials to the food processing sector in Poland. Production of food products in Poland shows high development dynamics. Mainly products from domestic agriculture are the raw material base for it. The progressing internationalization processes of the Polish food sector, resulting from globalization and economic integration, mean that the significance of imported agricultural raw materials is gradually increasing. In the analysis of the structure of the value of total raw material resources, mainly statistical data from the Central Statistical Office and the Ministry of Finance were used. The study covered the years 2003-2021.The analysis shows that during Polands membership in the European Union, the share of imported products in the total raw material resources of the food sector almost doubled to approx. 40%. The products are mainly raw materials imported from other climatic zones. This does not change the fact that food production in Poland is still based primarily on the domestic raw material base. Individual branches of the domestic food industry apply diversified strategies related to raw material supply and production and commercial risk management, which results from different conditions of their operation, including a different ownership structure.