title: Consumer-driven definition of traditional food products and innovation in traditional foods. A qualitative cross-cultural study.
abstract: Traditional food products (TFP) are an important part of European culture, identity, and heritage. In order to maintain and expand the market share of TFP, further improvement in safety, health, or convenience is needed by means of different innovations. The aim of this study was to obtain a consumer-driven definition for the concept of TFP and innovation and to compare these across six European countries (Belgium, France, Italy, Norway, Poland and Spain) by means of semantic and textual statistical analyses. Twelve focus groups were performed, two per country, under similar conditions. The transcriptions obtained were submitted to an ordinary semantic analysis and to a textual statistical analysis using the software ALCESTE. Four main dimensions were identified for the concept of TFP: habit-natural, origin-locality, processing-elaboration and sensory properties. Five dimensions emerged around the concept of innovation: novelty-change, variety, processing-technology, origin-ethnicity and convenience. TFP were similarly perceived in the countries analysed, while some differences were detected for the concept of innovation. Semantic and statistical analyses of the focus groups led to similar results for both concepts. In some cases and according to the consumers' point of view the application of innovations may damage the traditional character of TFP.
authors.affiliation: IRTA - Monells, Finca Camps i Armet, E-17121 Monells, Spain. lluis.guerrero@irta.es
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guerrero
authors.forename: Maria Dolors
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Guàrdia
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Xicola
authors.forename: Wim
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Verbeke
authors.forename: Filiep
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vanhonacker
authors.forename: Sylwia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zakowska-Biemans
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sajdakowska
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sulmont-Rossé
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Issanchou
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Contel
authors.forename: M Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Scalvedi
authors.forename: Britt Signe
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Granli
authors.forename: Margrethe
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hersleth
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D004522:Educational Status; D005060:Europe; D005190:Family; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005502:Food; D005524:Food Technology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D012424:Rural Population; D014505:Urban Population