15 pages., Online via AgEconSearch., Results of a field experiment at a university cafeteria indicated that "provision of nutritional information by itself can have zero or low impact unless it synergizes with other instruments such as nutritional education, social norm provisions and nudges."
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 207 Document Number: D13037
Notes:
6 pages, Kefirs are fermented beverages containing yeast and bacteria produced by the fermentation of water or milk with kefir grains. Because microorganism density may influence a product's health benefits, label accuracy regarding viable bacterial density and taxonomy of fermented foods is important. In this study, the microbiota of 5 commercial kefir products were measured quantitatively using standard plating techniques and characterized using high-resolution, long-read 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. To enumerate viable lactic acid bacteria, 2 lots of each product were plated on de Man, Rogosa and Sharpe agar upon opening and following 14 d and incubated under anaerobic and aerobic conditions. Results revealed that 66% of products with a guaranteed count of colony-forming units per gram overstated microorganism density by at least 1 log, with only product E exceeding 1 × 109 cfu/g. Sequencing results demonstrated moderate product label accuracy in regard to taxonomy, yet several products contained bacterial species above the minimum detectable threshold (0.001% relative abundance) that were not included on the labels (e.g., Streptococcus salivarius, Lactobacillus paracasei). Our results demonstrate a moderate level of labeling accuracy for commercial kefir products intended for human consumption. Regulatory agencies and consumers must continue to scrutinize these products and demand a higher level of accuracy and quality.
29 pages., Findings of a survey among consumers indicated that consumers recognize different kinds of functional foods, are willing to pay a premium for their purchase, and perceive possible health value. However, they appeared anxious about the health benefits these foods communicate in their labels.
Leak, Tashara M. (author), Benavente, Lisa (author), Goodell, L.Suzanne (author), Lassiter, Annie (author), Jones, Lorelei (author), and Bowen, Sarah (author)
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
2014
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 145 Document Number: D11562
6 pages., Online via UI e-subscription, Researchers used focus groups to analyze perspectives of graduates of an Extension-based Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP). "Trust emerged as a central theme, because participants expressed a need for reliable information from known, credible sources and safe places to share information." Authors concluded that social media may be effective and establishing the trustworthiness of the social media site is essential to its use among low-income participants.
9 pages., Online via UI electronic subscription, Researchers analyzed the effectiveness of the European Union Pledge, a self-regulation initiative of leading food companies at the European level, in restricting television advertising of food and drink products high in fat, sugar or salt to children. Results indicated that effectiveness was limited by the focus on children's program and the relatively lenient nutritional criteria agreed to by signatory companies.
Cooperative Communicators Association, Bellefonte, Pennsylvania., Emphasizes social and economic benefits for communities through support for cooperative grocers.
