Current issue
Volume 13, Issue 1, 2024
Online ISSN: 2182-1054
Volume 13 , Issue 1, (2024)
Published: 01.05.2024.
Open Access
Dear Readers,
It is a privilege to introduce our first 2024 issue (Vol 13) of the International Journal of Food Studies.
The journal mission was again well addressed, with a diverse research authorship and a stimulating discussion in the area of food education, food research and innovation.
The consumer was one of the main themes through this issue:
- Guo presented an analysis of the power of media to shape consumer attitude towards meat alternatives and the opportunities that policy makers have in this area.
- Un Nisa et al studied the quality assessment of a strawberry juice with prebiotic fibre processed with ultrasound, showing how ultrasound processed samples obtain higher scores in sensory acceptability.
- Acella and colleagues aimed to enhance the knowledge on the perception of quality by consumers of short food supply chain products, with 20 case studies of SFSCs across Europe. Social characteristics of the products such as genuineness were seen as major criteria.
A second main topic in this issue was shelf life:
- Andriani et al studied a traditional Indonesian fish shelf life demonstrating that vacuum packing and salt may contribute to extend the short shelf life of this product.
- Susantia and Kristamtini assessed in vivothe ability of black garlic extracts to maintain blood sugar homeostasis as well as reducing low density lipoprotein levels and increasing the high density lipoproteins.
- Haddad and Bani-Hani assessed the ability of protective cultures to extend the shelf life of Labaneh, a traditional dairy product from Jordan.
- Duc Vu and colleagues presented an analysis of the efficiency of the commercial production of dried Segestid shrimp studying losses and bringing a better understanding of the production of this traditional Vietnamese product.
Finally, food and health was the third underlying theme, where:
- Najat and colleagues discussed the issue of brucellosis in dairy farms in Morocco, identifying a number of knowledge gaps in farmers and potential risks associated.
- Hernandez et al. presented a study highlighting the need to characterise liquids for dysphagia patients and the importance of rheology in these preparations.
- Hasain et al. findings included that energy drinks available in Kosovo may exhibit higher concentrations of caffeine than those levels declared in the label, highlighting the need to potentially secure the food safety and integrity of these products.
I would like to thank all the authors for their contributions, all the Editorial Board who continue to offer their voluntary work to this publication, the journal office that makes possible this issue and (last but not least) the Iseki Association support of the International Journal of Food Studies.
I wish you all a good reading.
Best regards,
Jesus Maria Frias Celayeta
Editor-in-Chief International Journal of Food Studies
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Contents
28.07.2022.
Original scientific paper
Barriers and facilitators of purchasing from short food supply chains in europe: insights from a stakeholder perspective
Thirty-two expert stakeholder (e.g., consumer advice center, state parliament at regional level, European Network for Rural Development, university and research center, chamber of tourism, rural development association, and social cooperative enterprise) interviews were conducted to examine consumer attitudes, values and preferences in relation to short food supply chains. These stakeholders have expertise in policy, consumer behaviour, the tourism sector and regulation. The interviewees represented the views of consumers, producers, and other actors who work with or within short food supply in seven European countries (Belgium, Germany, Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland). Consumers were generally perceived to be aware of the environmental impact of food production. In terms of preferences, consumers would like to shop for local food the way they shop at the supermarket: having variety of products, accessibility, and availability. The relative lack of convenience and high prices associated with short food supply chains products were seen as the major barriers to their purchase. Consumers were thought to buy the products because of health and environmental benefits, a desire to support their local community, and a preference for tradition. However, relatively few consumers purchase products regularly from SFSC. The main segments are people who believe in short food supply chains values, middle class families with young children and elderly people. More can be done to educate and engage consumers regarding these chains, and market research is needed to inform which strategy is likely to be most effective in specific contexts such as the regional level.
Verena Hüttl-Maack, Betty Chang, Susanne Braun, Frank Janssen, Jasper Kuitems, Marieke Lameris, Elena Santa Cruz, Begoña Alfaro, Eugenia Petropoulou, Dennis Gawlik, Camille Aouinait, Ágnes Szegedyné Fricz, Ágnes Major, Katalin Kujáni, Adrienn Hegyi, Sophie Hieke, Malou Reipurth, Camila Massri, Christoph Carlen, Danilo Christen
