• Culinary science and hospitality research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.85-97
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• 2011

This study focuses on the influence of the selective characteristics related to the RTEC product (the food product which can be instantly cooked) among the HMR products on customer satisfaction and repurchase intention. Also, it emphasizes the influence of customer satisfaction related to the RTEC product on repurchase intention. For this study, over age 20 living in Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, Jeonju and Jeollabuk-do, the female customers who had experienced the RTEC product were surveyed, and total 219 valid copies of questionnaire were used for the final analysis. As a result of the analysis, it was found that such factors as values, usefulness, preferred menu items, convenience and food quality influenced customer satisfaction considerably. In particular, values, usefulness and food quality were found to influence repurchase intention considerably. Moreover, customer satisfaction significantly influenced repurchase intention.

• The Korean Journal of Food & Health Convergence
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.1-5
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• 2023

As the elderly population is rapidly increasing not only domestically but also globally, convenience foods for the elderly population are receiving attention. Therefore, the senior food market continues to grow rapidly both domestically and overseas. In relation to this, this study seeks to explore convenience food preferences through the growth status of the convenience food market and the demand for convenience food among the elderly population. We would like to consider various factors that influence the increase in convenience food consumption among the elderly population. This study uses meta-analysis and systematic literature research to find ways to revitalize the convenience food market targeting the elderly population. As a result of the analysis, it was mentioned that in order to revitalize the convenience food market for the elderly population, it is important to develop products with high nutritional value, suitable for the physical characteristics of the elderly population, and low price, and to consider convenience and accessibility. Through a multifaceted approach, we aim to increase the need for convenient food products that meet the needs of the elderly population, contribute to improving the health and well-being of the elderly, and further efficiently manage the health of the elderly nationally and globally.

• Journal of Service Research and Studies
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.41-61
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• 2023

The universal form of life in the era of the 4th industrial revolution can probably be summarized as the keyword "non-face-to-face". In particular, in terms of consumption activities, face-to-face contact is gradually changing to a system that minimizes, and offline stores are rapidly changing to non-contact services through kiosks and robots. The social structure is also changing with the passage of time, and most fundamentally, our dietary consumption patterns are changing. In particular, the increase in single-person households and the aging population are having a great impact on changes in the food service industry, which is closely related to dietary life. The HMR (Home Meal Replacement) market has grown significantly as the labor of cooking at home has decreased and the use of substitute foods has increased. As the size of the market has grown, the types of businesses that provide products have also diversified. The development of technology, non-face-to-face culture, and corporate management efficiency are intertwined, and unmanned stores are spreading recently. In this study, service quality attributes of HMR unmanned stores, where competition is gradually intensifying, are classified, and service quality classification using the Kano model and Timko's customer satisfaction coefficient are calculated to provide implications for service management based on customer satisfaction. As a result of the analysis, 'products with short cooking time' and 'variety of products (menu)' were classified as attractive qualities, and 'cleanliness inside/outside of the store' and 'products at reasonable prices' were classified as unified quality. In addition, 'convenience of self-checkout process' was classified as a natural quality, and 'convenience of in-store passage' was classified as an indifferent quality. Furthermore, when the service factor was satisfied within the HMR unmanned store, the factor with the highest satisfaction coefficient was 'product (menu) variety', and the factor with the highest dissatisfaction factor was 'convenience of self-checkout process'. Through the results of this study, it is intended to derive priorities in service quality management of HMR unmanned stores and provide strategic implications for related businesses.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.234-242
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• 2020

In this study, we monitored the raw materials in home-meal replacement (HMR) products, which have shown more than 63% growth in market size for two years. A total of 89 HMR products were purchased and the DNA barcodes of 112 raw materials in the product samples were analyzed. In order to identify the raw material species, a primer set specific for the 16S ribosomal RNA region of each raw material species was amplified. The amplicon was purified and sequenced, and then used to perform a BLAST search provided by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The species of the raw material was determined by comparing the nucleotide sequences of the species registered in GenBank with identity and match score. Twenty-four species and three genera were identified from 112 raw materials. Three genera were identified at the genus level because a large number of species belonging to the same genus exist within 98% of the identity criteria. The results of the determination were compared with the available raw materials suggested in the Korea Food Code to determine the Korean name and availability of the foods. Six non-listed species were determined to be edible according to information provided by influential domestic and foreign organizations.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.380-387
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• 2019

Of great importance in food safety culture are the values of an organization regarding food safety that combine the human and material requirements needed to produce safe and hygienic foods. In recent years, efforts have been made to improve the level of implementation of food safety management systems by improving certain cultural elements of food safety. This study investigated the current state of food safety culture in the HMR manufacturing sector. An anonymous survey of 46 HMR manufacturers of various sizes was conducted to evaluate the implementation status of HACCP prerequisite program and food safety culture. The perceived importance of food safety culture factors and their performance were also surveyed. Employees of HMR manufacturers who participated in this survey recognized that the participation of employees and leadership was the most important factor in ensuring food safety. Smaller enterprises are less aware of the importance of such organizational culture. The survey shows that food safety culture indicators in large companies are generally higher than those of small and medium enterprises. Especially, the manager's level of commitment to food safety, resources input, and education and training was significantly higher than that found at small companies (p=0.005). Among the food safety culture evaluation factors, it was found that education and training had significant influence on HACCP prerequisite program performance. Continued employee education and training on food safety and hygiene are important for HMR manufacturers to achieve HACCP certification standards.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.292-304
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• 2021

Purpose: This study investigated the association between the mothers' use of home meal replacement (HMR) in their children's meals and the diet quality of their young children. Methods: Three hundred and thirty-seven mothers with five-year-old kindergartners in Sejong city participated in the survey from June to July 2020. The questionnaire consisted of the status of HMR use in children's meals and questions for assessing the nutrition quotient for preschoolers (NQ-P). The subjects were classified into three groups according to the frequency of HMR use in children's meals: using HMR more than three times a week (high-frequency group; [HG], n = 65), one-two times a week (moderate-frequency group; [MG], n = 145), and less than once a week (low-frequency group; [LG], n = 130). Results: The mothers' mean age was 38.3 years. The average monthly cost of purchasing HMRs was highest at 200,000-300,000 won in HG, 50,000-100,000 won in MG, and less than 50,000 won in LG (p < 0.001). The consumption frequency of processed meats, fast foods, processed beverages, and sweet & fatty snacks was significantly higher in the HG group than the other groups. The mean NQ-P score was 60.5 in HG, 63.0 in MG, and 64.5 in LG, showing a significant difference (p < 0.01). In the sub-score according to the three areas, there were no significant differences in balance and environment among the three groups. In the moderation area, however, the score was 44.1 in HG, 51.3 in MG, and 57.5 in LG Group, showing a significant difference (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The increase in HMR use was related to the decreased diet quality in the overall and moderation areas of children's diet. These results support the importance of nutrition education for mothers, which aims to reduce their children's access and exposure to processed foods, such as HMR.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.256-267
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• 2013

This study is a case study that drew efficient HMR sales promotions and verified their applications to business. An analysis of customer needs for HMR products in discount stores showed that diverse menu was ranked 1st with 29.1%, followed by packaging with 23.6%, price with 22%, menu information with 14.2%, and quality of food with 11.0%.. Main results of this study are indicated below. First, there were significant differences in sales before (3,932,313 won, a daily average 187,253 won) and after (4,840,063 won, a daily average 230,479 won) packaging improvement. Second, there were significant differences in sales of salad products before (4,627,508 won, a daily average 220,356 won) and after (5,238,365 won, a daily average 249,446 won) information improvement. The implications of this study are shown as follows. From a theoretical perspective, this study identified the sales promotion methods of HMR products through direct observation, interviews, and a survey to the customers who visited the stores. From a practical standpoint, this study measured the effects of theoretically confirmed sales promotion methods such as packaging, menu information, and diverse menu by analyzing the change in sales resulting from application of these methods at HMR business in discount stores.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.476-484
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• 2019

Objectives: The rise of one-person households may have consequences for food consumption patterns, and eating habits. This study investigated the home meal replacement (HMR) use and eating habits among adults in their 20s-30s living in one-person households. Methods: A total of 247 adults aged 26-39 years participated in this study. The subjects were divided into three group according to the household type; one-person households (n=80), two-person households (n=49), and multi-family (three and more members) households (n=118). Their use of HMRs (classified as ready-to-eat, ready-to-cook, and fresh convenience foods) and their eating habits were all compared. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 30.5 years, 47.8% were male, and there was no significant difference in age, gender, occupation, and monthly income according to the type of household. The intake frequency of total HMR and ready-to-eat foods was significantly higher in one-person households among the three groups. People in one-person households consumed more HMRs alone, and spent more money to buy HMRs. Undesirable dietary habit scores like unbalanced eating (p<0.05) and eating salty foods (p<0.05) were significantly higher in the one-person households. Among the total subjects, the unbalanced eating scores showed a significant positive correlation with the intake frequency of ready-to-eat foods, while the unbalanced eating scores showed negative correlation with the preference of fresh convenience foods. The scores for eating salty foods showed a significant positive correlation with the intake frequency and preference of ready-to-eat foods and ready-to-cook foods, while there was negative correlation with the intake frequency and preference of fresh convenience foods. Conclusions: Adults in their 20s-30s in one-person households consumed more ready-to-eat foods than those in multi-family households. In addition, people with one-person households had more unbalanced diets and ate more salty foods, and these undesirable eating habits showed a significant positive correlation with the use of ready-to-eat or ready-to-cook foods. These results should be addressed for producing healthier ready-to-eat/ready-to-cook foods and implementing nutrition education for making healthy food choices of one-person households, which are steadily increasing.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.476-491
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the energy and nutrient contents of home meal replacement (HMR) rice products per single serving package based on nutrition labels. Methods: The market research was conducted from February to July 2021 on products sold on the internet, at convenience stores, etc. A total of 406 products were investigated. The products were divided into the following 6 classifications: instant rice (n = 45), cup rice (n = 64), frozen rice (n = 188), rice bowls with toppings (n = 32), gimbap (n = 38), and triangular gimbap (n = 39). Results: The mean packaging weight per serving was the highest in the rice bowl with toppings at 297.1 g, followed by cup rice (264.0 g), frozen rice (239.5 g), gimbap (230.2 g), instant rice (193.4 g), and triangular gimbap (121.6 g) (p < 0.001). The energy per serving package for the rice bowl with toppings was significantly the highest at 496.0 kcal (p < 0.001). The sodium content per serving package of gimbap was the highest at 1,021.8 mg and that of the instant rice was lowest at 37.4 mg (p < 0.001). The price per serving package of the rice bowl with toppings at 4,333.8 won was the highest. The contribution to the daily nutritional value per serving package of all types of HMR rice products surveyed showed an average range of 10-25% for energy, 11-22% for carbohydrates, and 2-51% for sodium. Conclusion: These results indicate the energy and nutrient contents of HMR rice products, vary by type. Therefore, consumers should review the nutrition labeling to select an appropriate HMR rice product based on their intended consumption.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.480-487
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• 2018

Purpose: The study examined the Chinese and Japanese consumers' preference for Korean home meal replacement (HMR) product package designs using conjoint analysis. Methods: The questionnaire survey was completed by 270 consumers living in Beijing, China and Osaka, Japan, over the age of 20 years old, who had previously purchased or consumed a Korean HMR. Based on the attributes and levels within each attribute related to the Korean HMR product package design, 54 profiles were constructed. Of the 54 profiles, 11 combinations were selected using an orthogonal design, and the participants were asked to rank the 11 combinations in order of preference from top to bottom. Results: The relative importance of the Korean HMR product package design attributes were analyzed. Chinese consumers regarded illustration, ingestion form, concept, and brand name, in that order, to be most important. In the case of Japanese consumers, illustration, concept, ingestion form, and brand name, in that order, were most important. For the illustration attributes, in order of importance, Chinese consumers preferred raw materials, characters, and celebrities, and Japanese consumers preferred characters, raw materials, and celebrities. For the concept attributes, Chinese consumers favored, witty, traditional Korean, and modern concepts, whereas Japanese consumers favored witty, modern, and then traditional Korean concepts. For the ingestion form attributes, both Chinese and Japanese consumers preferred Ready To Eat (RTE), followed by Ready To Heat (RTH), and then Ready To Cook (RTC). For the brand name attributes, both Chinese and Japanese consumers preferred the localized brand name over the Korean brand name. Conclusion: Differences in the relative importance of Korean HMR product package design attributes were observed among Chinese and Japanese consumers, and there were differences in preference according to the levels within each attribute. These results are expected to provide useful basic data to assist in the future development of differentiated HMR package designs and marketing strategies to meet consumer needs in the market for Korean HMR in China and Japan.