title: Consumer perception of beneficial effects of probiotics for human health.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge, perception and buying behaviour of probiotics. 72 participants in Middelburg, the Netherlands, filled out a detailed questionnaire regarding probiotics and their customer and consumer behaviour. It can be concluded from this study that the concept of probiotics is generally poorly understood. Health-conscious consumers seem to be the group most aware of the correct meaning of the term probiotics. Almost 50% of the participants did not believe that probiotics had any health effect. Independent organisations and/or government agencies appeared to be the preferred source of information on the functionality of probiotics.
authors: Department of Sciences, Roosevelt Academy, Lange Noordstraat 1, 4330 AB Middelburg, The Netherlands. g.rijkers@roac.nl
authors: G T
authors: GT
authors: Rijkers
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Bimmel
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Grevers
authors: N
authors: N
authors: den Haan
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Hristova
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D019936:Probiotics / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult