• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.533-543
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• 2009

The objective of this study was to compare the differences of opinion, purchasing behavior, and recognition of food labeling and nutrition labeling of frozen processed food between employees and non-employees in the frozen food industry. The results of this survey study showed that the group working in the frozen food industry had a positive opinion of frozen processed food compared to the non-employee group who was not working in the food industry. The main reason for the positive opinion of frozen processed food was because it was convenient and easy to prepare while the main concern with consuming frozen processed food was that it was bad for one's health. The most popular menu was western style. Sixty one percent of employees in the frozen food industry preferred the microwave-cooking method, while only 37.9% of non-employees preferred the microwave-cooking method followed by cooking in boiling water (27.6%). There was a significant (p<0.001) difference in the preference of cooking method between these two groups. Most of the respondents considered 'taste' as the most important factor and 32.9% of the respondents selected 'sanitation/health' as the most serious concern for the consumption of frozen processed food. Both groups checked the food & nutrition label to verify the expiration date and the presence of food additives. The non-employee group recognized the need for nutritional information on total calorie, carbohydrate, protein, fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, minerals, vitamins, sodium, and fiber on the nutrition label of frozen processed food.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.796-806
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• 2012

This study was conducted to investigate dietary attitude, and nutritional knowledge of middle school students in Gwangju and examine their perception and utilization of food labeling systems. The total and mean dietary attitude scores were 75 and 49.47, respectively. The total and mean nutrition knowledge scores were 15 and 10.88, respectively. Girls showed significantly higher nutrition knowledge than boys (p<0.01). Overall, 62.9% of respondents checked food labeling, and there were significant differences in dietary attitudes among groups that did and did not checking labeling (p<0.001), with higher dietary attitude being associated with checking the label. Moreover, higher nutritional knowledge was associated with checking the food label. Individuals who checked the food label considered the expiration date (54.9%), product name (14.4%) and price (10.2%). The main reasons for checking food labeling were (in descending order) to confirm the expiration date (61.6%), determine the ingredients and nutritional information, learn how to store the product, and compare the price and weight with other products. The overall satisfaction with the food labeling system was 16.20 out of 30, and significant differences (p<0.001) were observed among individuals with high, moderate and low dietary attitudes, as indicated by satisfaction scores of 17.54, 16.32 and 14.86, respectively. Individuals with high, moderate and low dietary attitudes had nutritional knowledge scores of 15.79, 16.08, and 17.08 respectively. The overall score for understanding nutrition labeling was 4.71 out of 7, and the understanding differed significantly among groups (p<0.01), with those with moderate food attitudes having the highest score.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.679-686
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• 2010

The purpose of this study is to monitor genetically modified bean sprouts at traditional markets in Seoul and to investigate perception of traditional market merchants and high school students on genetically modified organisms (GMOs). We analyzed 30 bean sprouts that were selected at 11 traditional markets in Seoul using the method of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Also, we compared perception of GMOs between merchants (n = 30) and students (n = 126). Knowledge test about GMOs was performed by students. The result of PCR, 16.7% of bean sprouts were confirmed as GM bean sprouts (n = 5). Students had significantly more exposure to information about GMOs than merchants (p < 0.05). Major information sources about GMOs were from mass media (television, newspaper and radio). About half of subjects were not aware that they eat GMOs and GMOs are sold to consumers. Only 17.3% of subjects had constant eating intent for GMOs after perceiving foods that he/she usually eats are GMOs. 51.3% of subjects had willingness to purchase GMOs if GMOs have same quality and lower cost than natural foods. 37.2% of subjects thought that GMOs would be harmful to humans. Students had more positive perception of GMOs' side effects than merchants (p < 0.01). There was no merchant who knew labeling of GMOs. 19.1% of students knew labeling of GMOs. Students' mean percentage of correct answers of six questions about GMOs was 45.2%. Therefore, providing adequate information about GMOs is needed for consumer's choice whether to purchase GMOs or not.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.175-192
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• 2014

This study explores the effects of various factors on the use of nutrition information on food away from home (FAFH). Consumer groups were classified into groups according to their perception of being overweight and obese (correctly perceiving, underestimating and overestimating weight). For this, frequency analysis, a chi-square test, and an ANOVA were conducted to determine any differences between factors, and a logit analysis (SPSS 18.0) was conducted to identify those factors influencing the use of information. Information recognition, intentions to use information and the use on FAFH showed significant differences across the groups. In addition, health inspection, the perception of the intrinsic quality of restaurants, labeling, FAFH expenditure, and some individual characteristics showed significant differences between groups. The information recognition of FAFH had a significant positive effect on information use in all groups. In all groups, labeling had a significant positive effect on information use, and family health concerns had a significant positive effect on information use in the group correctly perceiving weight. The price of domestic food items, household head and household income had significant positive effects on information use in the group overestimating weight.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.12
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• pp.2068-2075
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to investigate the perception of university students on nutritional information according to food and nutrition labeling systems. A total of 310 customers, who visited family restaurant, were surveyed by a self-recorded questionnaire from March 2006 to April 2011. A total of 286 respondents were surveyed; of the respondents, 108 were males and 178 were females. Two surveys were conducted on the perception of the respondent's health: once in 2006 and once in 2011. According to these surveys, 63.6% and 54% of respondents perceived themselves as unhealthy, respectively. When ordering a meal, respondents were more concerned with price rather than taste, nutrition, new menu items, and food presentation. Compared with 2006, in 2011 more respondents felt that family restaurants provided enough nutritional information and practical use of that information to their customers. When surveyed, respondents felt that the total calories played a significantly higher role in ordering food than foods with higher nutritional values. There was a significant increase in satisfaction with the current nutrition labeling system; in 2006, $2.87{\pm}0.99$, and 2011, $3.35{\pm}0.84$. There was also a significant increase in individuals who felt that there was a need for an ingredient labeling system; $3.68{\pm}0.9$ in 2006 and $4.32{\pm}0.61$ in 2011. There was also a higher demand for nutritional information; $2.85{\pm}0.66$ in 2006, $3.06{\pm}0.65$ in 2011. From these results, it was concluded that the nutrition labeling system adopted by family restaurants did not affect the degree of customers' interest in nutritional information. Contrast to the results, the amount and frequency of nutritional information provided to customers have increased continuously since 2006. Therefore, the nutrition labeling system and recommended dietary allowance should be expanded in order to promote a healthy diet.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.379-393
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• 2011

This study compared the college students' dietary behavior for processed foods, who will be the main consumers in the future and looked for the measures to understand and establish the right food labeling system by surveying the level of understanding and utilization of food labeling. The data was analysed by SPSS win 17.0 program, and the results are as follows. For the standard of selecting processed foods, the group with high nutrition knowledge considered the reliability of foods as important and the group with low nutrition knowledge considered the products introduced in TV commercial as important. When purchasing processed foods, the group with high nutrition knowledge considered nutrition, taste, price, appearance(shape), and the consumable period more than the group with low nutrition knowledge. For trans fat, the group with high nutrition knowledge learned more about it than the group with low nutrition knowledge. The ratio of confirming food nutrition label was higher in the group with high nutrition knowledge. Regarding the level of confirming individual food labels, the highest level was for milk and dairy products. And there was significant difference for the processed products of meat, cookies, bread and noodles. It was found that the level of confirmation was higher in the group with high nutrition knowledge. And the most important indication for individual food product was the consumable period. To preserve the purchased foods, the group with high nutrition knowledge preserve the foods in line with the description written on the food cover sheet, and this group used to return or exchange the products when they found them spoiled or purchased by mistake. The group with high nutrition knowledge knew more about the nutrition indication than the group with low nutrition knowledge. The necessity of nutrition indication for processed foods and the need of education and PR(Public Relation) were acknowledged higher in the group with high nutrition knowledge. For the effect of nutrition indication, it showed that the group with high nutrition knowledge thought it would improve the quality and the group with low nutrition knowledge thought it would be helpful when comparing the product with others. The group with high nutrition knowledge showed higher understanding level about nutrition indication than the group with low nutrition knowledge.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.559-568
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• 2008

Even though snacks or meals purchased by teenagers have dramatically increased in Korea, it has not been investigated whether teenagers know and take notice of the nutrition label. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the usefulness and utilization of food and nutrition labels amongst teenagers. Questionnaires were distributed 814 of junior-high school students and were completed by self-administrated questionnaires. Questionnaires included questions regarding general characteristics, perception and utilization of food and nutrition labels and degree of necessity and satisfaction on food products and nutrition labels. Data was analyzed with regards to sex and school year by using a SAS package program. Significant differences of each variable were tested by using the $x^2$-test, t-test and ANOVA. Only 4.4% of participants were well informed about food and nutrition labels, while 26.0% of them did not know about it. Most of participants(78%) perceived that food and nutrition labeling system is necessary but are not satisfied with it. More of them did not check the food and nutrition label when they purchased food. Students usually checked the food and nutrition label to know about the nutritional value, and additives. The survey showed that more than three quarters of participants take notice of the food and nutrition label on products whereas only 57.7% of them knew what the food and nutrition actually meant. This study showed that most teenagers did not know the food and nutrition label, didn't have right information and didn't use it. Therefore, it is necessary to include an educational program about the food and nutrition label in the school curriculum and that will help students use the nutrition label and help them choose healthy food.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.4 no.5
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• pp.428-432
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• 2010

In this study, we investigated that consumers could differentiate between levels of claims and clarify how a visual aid influences consumer understanding of the different claim levels. We interviewed 2,000 consumers in 13 shopping malls on their perception of and confidence in different levels of health claims using seven point scales. The average confidence scores given by participants were 4.17 for the probable level and 4.07 for the possible level; the score for the probable level was significantly higher than that for the possible level (P < 0.05). Scores for confidence in claims after reading labels with and without a visual aid were 5.27 and 4.43, respectively; the score for labeling with a visual aid was significantly higher than for labeling without a visual aid (P < 0.01). Our results provide compelling evidence that providing health claims with qualifying language differentiating levels of scientific evidence can help consumers understand the strength of scientific evidence behind those claims. Moreover, when a visual aid was included, consumers perceived the scientific levels more clearly and had greater confidence in their meanings than when a visual aid was not included. Although this result suggests that consumers react differently to different claim levels, it is not yet clear whether consumers understand the variations in the degree of scientific support.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.92-107
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of school nutrition education and changes in perception of nutrition teacher's job in order to determine the need for redesign to achieve their ideal job. The questionnaire was distributed to 1,550 nutrition teachers, and a total of 1,487 usable data were collected with a 96% response rate from August to December 2015. Statistical data analysis was completed by using SPSS/Win 21.0 for descriptive analysis. The results were as follows: 45.5% of nutrition teachers periodically implemented nutrition education classes, and 32.7% of responses used creative activity times for nutrition and dietary life education. Various topics were taught such as strategies to improve dietary habits, choice of healthy foods and nutrition labeling, nutrition information, food safety, and environmental problems, etc. Current performance ratios of nutrition teacher's duties and tasks were as follows: nutrition operation 31.3%, foodservice hygiene and safety 28.0%, nutrition management 22.7%, nutrition and dietary life education and counselling 11.6%, and professional development 6.4%. Opinions about ideal job performance of nutrition teachers were investigated to determine needs for job redesign. Two in nutrition management duty tasks and four foodservice management duties duty tasks were reduced. On the other hand, another two nutrition management duty tasks and three nutrition and dietary life education and counselling tasks were increased compared to current job performance.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.81-93
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• 2011

We investigated perception and educational demand for health functional foods among nutrition teachers and dietitians working in schools. The subjects were 229 nutrition teachers (57.2%) and dietitians (42.7%) working in Chungbuk elementary, middle and high schools. Approximately 67% of the subjects had experience consuming health functional foods. Most of the subjects did not have experience with the side effects after consuming health functional foods. Subjects who were unaware of the legal specifications, classification, and labeling standards for health functional foods (78-91.2%) were much more common than those who were aware of those issues. Most of the subjects perceived health functional foods as a food (45.0%) or as a product between a food and a medicine (44.5%). The subjects recommended themselves (43.1%) or medical doctors/pharmacists (40.8%) as consultation/education specialists for health functional foods. Approximately 66% of the subjects had experience conducting nutritional consultation/education in their schools, but only 3.2% had experience with health functional foods. Only 17.8% of the subjects had experience receiving education on health functional foods. Most subjects (88.2%) demanded education on health functional foods for themselves. The results suggest that an effective education is needed for nutrition teachers and dietitians working in schools for them to play an active role in educating students and their parents about health functional foods in the near future.