• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.332-338
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to examine consumers' behaviors toward ready-to-eat foods and to develop ready-to-eat food market segmentation in Korea. The food-related lifestyle and purchase behaviors of ready-to-eat foods were evaluated using 410 ready-to-eat food consumers in the Republic of Korea. Four factors were extracted by exploratory factor analysis (health-orientation, taste-orientation, convenience-orientation, and tradition-orientation) to explain the ready-to eat food consumers' food-related lifestyles. The results of cluster analysis indicated that "tradition seekers" and "convenience seekers" should be regarded as the target segments. Chi-square tests and t-tests of the subdivided groups showed there were significant differences across marital status, education level, family type, eating-out expenditure, place of purchase, and reason for purchase. In conclusion, the tradition seekers consumed more ready-to-eat foods from discount marts or specialty stores and ate them between meals more often than the convenience seekers. In contrast, the convenience seekers purchased more ready-to-eat foods at convenience stores and ate them as meals more often than the tradition seekers. These findings suggest that ready-to-eat food market segmentation based on food-related lifestyles can be applied to develop proper marketing strategies.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.269-280
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between HMR use and eating habits in young Korean adults. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 575 adults (232 men, 343 women) in their 20s and 30s in Korea. Their use of HMRs (classified as ready-to-eat, ready-to-cook, and fresh convenience foods) and eating habits were surveyed. The main reasons for HMR use by men and women were convenience (54.7%, 64.4%) and promptness (24.2%, 24.2%), respectively. The most frequent place for HMR purchase was a convenience store (74.1% and 65.0%, respectively). Regarding the frequency of HMR use, 1~2 times a week was the highest for ready-to-eat (40.9%) and ready-to-cook (30.1%), while no eating was the highest for fresh convenience foods (41.0%). HMR preference was the highest (3.8 out of 5 on a 5-point scale) for ready-to-eat, followed by ready-to-cook (3.3 points) and fresh convenience foods (3.3 points). The use frequency and preference of total HMRs, ready-to-eat foods, and ready-to-eat foods were positively correlated with unfavorable eating habits, including unbalanced eating, overeating, salty eating, spicy eating, skipping, and irregular meals. However, fresh convenience foods showed negative correlations with unbalanced eating, overeating, and salty eating. The use frequency and preference of total HMRs, ready-to-eat foods, and ready-to-cook foods were positively correlated with undesirable eating habits. However, fresh convenience food showed a negative correlation with eating habits such as unbalanced, overeating, and salty eating. These results should be considered for favorable food production and consumer guidance to promote healthy food choices.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.788-800
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• 2008

This study was executed in order to analyze the purchasing practices, preferences, and satisfaction of consumers purchasing ready-to-eat foods. The study was executed from the $20\;May{\sim}30\;June$ 2007 in the Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do area. Questionnaires were distributed among 480 people. Of these, 410 questionnaires were collected and applied to a statistical analysis. Statistical analyses were conducted using the SPSS package program (version 14.0 for windows). The results of the statistical analyses were as follows. 42.4% males and 57.6% females participated in this study. The biggest motivation behind the purchase of ready-to-eat foods was convenience, 51.0%. The most common venues where these foods were purchased were supermarkets or discount marts, 67.6%. The ratio of substituting ready-to-eat foods for meals was 70.5%. The consumption practices of ready-to-eat foods of the consumers according to purchase place illustrated significant differences in the average expense per person each time (p<0.01), co-consumer (p<0.001), and age (p<0.05). The purchase preference was high with kimbaps (73.4%), hamburgers (29.8%), sushis (29.0%), and sandwiches (27.9%). Unmarried individuals showed a significantly higher overall liking and satisfaction for ready-to-eat foods than married individuals (p<0.001). Individuals living without a family was significantly higher overall liking and satisfaction than individuals living with a family (p<0.05). Individuals who spent an average of 10,000 won per time showed a significantly higher overall liking and satisfaction than those who spent below 10,000 won per time (p<0.05). In the presence of a friend as a co-consumer of ready-to-eat foods, satisfaction was significantly high (p<0.01). Consumers who purchased ready-to-eat foods at meal times, showed a significantly higher overall liking, compared to those who purchased such food products in between meal times (p<0.01). The preference and satisfaction degree of the consumer must be reflected by product development, quality improvement and marketing plan establishment.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.761-769
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to provide the sensory profiles for cooked rice varieties, with 3 types of functional rice and 4 types of ready -to -eat rice, using descriptive analysis. Eighteen descriptors as well as reference standards were developed. The cooked functional rice, ready-to-eat rice, and plain cooked rice were separated into 4 groups by PCA. PC1 & PC2 explained 65% of the total valiance. PC 1 was responsible for the highest percentage of separation based on the texture intensities. The cooked functional rice showed higher intensity for hardness and roughness. The ready-to-eat rice A, B, and C samples had higher intensities in terms of moistness, glossiness, and moisture content, as well as sour and raw rice flavor. The ready-to-eat rice D sample had low grain wholesomeness, and high intensity for raw rice flavor. Finally, the plain cooked rice had more roasted and burnt rice flavor.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.129-142
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• 2023

As the demand for ready-to-eat foods continues to grow, concerns about the sodium in processed foods are also growing. In this study, a survey was conducted on the perception of low-sodium products and diffusion plans according to the type of employee (manufacturer, retailer, distributor). Of the 191 responses collected, 189 valid responses (98.9%) were analyzed. The results showed that the employees were aware of the health contribution of a low-sodium diet, labeling for low-sodium, and the promotion of low-sodium food to increase its consumption. Furthermore, retailers recognized the positive contribution of low-sodium products in terms of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) management. The use of sodium substitutes was preferred as the best way to reduce sodium in ready-to-eat foods. With regard to sodium reduction in ready-to-eat foods, we found that the technical factors involved were clustered by the type of business. Specifically, distributors showed a similar performance but had a lower perception of importance than retailers. Manufacturers had a lower perception of both importance and performance. In this study, we collected perceptions from employees who were working at food companies, which differed from previous research. We sought to examine the differences in the perception of sodium reduction and consumption of ready-to-eat foods across various types of employment. Furthermore, we provided specific approaches to reduce perception gaps and enhance understanding among employees.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.21 no.10
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• pp.31-38
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• 2023

Purpose: Each emergency event has several aspects of impact, including the effects on lives, economy, and the environment. Additionally, the damage to infrastructure systems can contribute to food shortages during a disaster. Research design, data and methodology: This research aims to study ready-to-eat food innovations that influence the consumer buying behavior of emergency victims and to develop ready-to-eat meal innovations to help emergency victims with an emphasis on research and innovation of Meals Ready-to-Eat (MREs). Results: A questionnaire was employed to collect the data from people living in Pak Kret Municipality, Nonthaburi Province. Pak Kret Municipality is administered under five subdistricts, covering 34 villages in Pak Kret, Bang Phut, Ban Mai, Bang Talat, and Khlong Kluea. Multiple correlation and multiple regression techniques were used to analyze the data. The study revealed that integrated marketing communication, unique proposition, customer orientation, and product variety influenced consumer buying behavior of MREs to help emergency victims at a statistically significance level of 0.05. Conclusions: The results indicate that, in emergency situations, MREs play a crucial role. When infrastructure and essential services are disrupted, MREs are a convenient and long-lasting option for providing timely assistance during emergencies.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.55-65
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• 2011

This study was performed to analyze the microbiological hazards of ready-to eat sandwiches and to evaluate the effect of implementing a hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) for quality improvement of ready-to-eat sandwiches. In total, 174 samples were examined for the microbiological hazard analysis. About 37.4% of the samples had an aerobic plate count ${\geq}$6 log CFU/g, and the numbers of coliforms exceeded 3 log CFU/g in 82.2% of the samples. Additionally, Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, and Salmonella spp. were detected in 10.3%, 4.6%, 1.1% of sandwiches, respectively. In contrast, E. coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes were not detected in any of the samples. The results of the microbiological verification after implementing a HACCP throughout the production process indicated that S. aureus, E. coli, Salmonella spp., E. coli O157:H7, and L. monocytogenes were not detected in any of the samples. Consequently, implementing a HACCP is effective for quality improvement of ready-to-eat sandwiches.

• 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 the FoodService Safety
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.19-29
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• 2024

Medicinal cooked rice with Astragalus membranaceus extract and garlic was developed as a ready-to-eat product. The response surface methodology was used to examine the effect of garlic and Astragalus membranaceus extract addition on the color, texture, and sensory properties to optimize the product. The product was also analyzed for microbiological, sensory, and physical property changes during storage.As for the color, taste, and overall acceptability, the sensory scores increased with the increase of Astragalus membranaceus extracts (p<0.05). The sensory scores for the product ranged between 9.17~9.92 and foodborne microorganism such as Bacillus cereus, Salmonella, Staphylococcu aureus, and Eschericha coli were not detected after 13 storage days. Therefore, the possible shelf life was evaluated for up to13 days of storage. When considering health and convenience are important factors in the development of new food products, the medicinal and biological effects of garlic and Astragalus membranaceus could be useful for providing healthy diet options for senior consumers. The results of sensory and microbiological tests showed the potential for the commercialization of ready-to-eat cook-chill product as an alternative of cooked rice for Asian populations and Korean senior consumer market.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.311-316
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to compare the sensory effects of different culinary methods such as electric pan cooking and charcoal roasting on gamma irradiated ready-to-eat chicken at 10 kGy. Evlauation of sensory properties were measured by estimating the organoleptic characteristics and physicochemical properties (TBARS, hardness and color different matters). The results showed that gamma irradiation after charcoal-roasting could more effectively moderate the decrease of sensory qualities and reduce off-flavor of ready-to-eat chicken than gamma irradiation after following electric pan cooking. These results suggest that gamma irradiation after charcoal broiling can be an effective culinary method for the preparation of ready-to-eat chicken.