title: European consumer response to packaging technologies for improved beef safety.
abstract: Beef packaging can influence consumer perceptions of beef. Although consumer perceptions and acceptance are considered to be among the most limiting factors in the application of new technologies, there is a lack of knowledge about the acceptability to consumers of beef packaging systems aimed at improved safety. This paper explores European consumers' acceptance levels of different beef packaging technologies. An online consumer survey was conducted in five European countries (n=2520). Acceptance levels among the sample ranged between 23% for packaging releasing preservative additives up to 73% for vacuum packaging. Factor analysis revealed that familiar packaging technologies were clearly preferred over non-familiar technologies. Four consumer segments were identified: the negative (31% of the sample), cautious (30%), conservative (17%) and enthusiast (22%) consumers, which were profiled based on their attitudes and beef consumption behaviour. Differences between consumer acceptance levels should be taken into account while optimising beef packaging and communicating its benefits.
authors.affiliation: Department of Agricultural Economics, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. lynn.vanwezemael@ugent.be
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Van Wezemael
authors.forename: Øydis
authors.initials: Ø
authors.lastname: Ueland
authors.forename: Wim
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Verbeke
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D005516:Food Microbiology; D018857:Food Packaging / Q000379:methods*; D059022:Food Safety; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat; D008875:Middle Aged; D055696:Olfactory Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055697:Taste Perception; D055815:Young Adult