• 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.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.253-263
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to analyse factors related to Home Meal Replacement (HMR) use among university students and to determine the dietary quality according to its consumption. A survey on the consumption of HMR and Nutrition Quotient (NQ) was conducted from September to November 2021. The study included 232 university students (88 males, 144 females) from Chungcheong. The proportion of consumption at least once a week was 71.55% for ready-to-eat foods, 55.60% for ready-to-cook foods, 40.95% for fresh-cut products, and 21.12% for meal-kits. The preference ratings were as follows: ready-to-eat foods, 3.77 out of 5 points, meal-kits, 3.53 points, fresh-cut products, 3.52 points, and ready-to-cook foods, 3.45 points. In terms of satisfaction, convenience (4.06 out of 5 points), taste (3.71 points), variety (3.67 points), and food hygiene (3.62 points) were rated the highest. The scores in the moderation NQ were significantly lower in the groups that consumed ready-to-eat foods (p=0.0002), ready-to-cook foods (p=0.0002), and meal-kits (p=0.0068) at least once a week compared to the groups that consumed them less than once a week. In conclusion, the results will serve as basic data for nutrition education for proper consumption of HMR among university students.

• 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.38 no.3
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• pp.251-258
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• 2005

The purposes of this study were to conceptualize the Home Meal Replacement (HMR) in Korea and to gather professionals' opinions of prospect and task for HMR industry in Korea. A total of 67 experts participated in a three round survey by Delphi technique, which was used to integrate and share the each expert's professional idea. According to the result, HMR was translated into 'Gajeongsiksa daeyongsik' in Korean and given definition to 'a meal taken directly or through brief cooking process at home by purchasing ready to eat or ready to end-cook type of food'. As the result of categorizing HMR products of Korean food, 'I. Ready to eat' such as side dishes, kimchi, salad, sandwich, kimbab, and so on and 'II. Ready to heat' such as rice, porridge, retort food (soup, broth, curry, spaghetti, etc.), frozen pizza, grilled food, jabchae, instant soup, and so on were construed in a limited sense of the HMR. In addition, 'III. Ready to end-cook' such as frozen dumpling, frozen pork cutlet, seasoned meat, powder-type soup, and so on as well as these two kinds were interpreted in a broad sense of the HMR. In the prospect of HMR industry in Korea, the Korean HMR industry would develop continuously accompanied by increasing of consumers using HMR products. Introduction and generalization of HMRs would serve the convenience for meal preparation and then influence the change of home meal pattern. Nevertheless, it was concerned about that using HMRs might have limitation on solving the problems of dietary life including irregular meal, skipping a meal, and so on and influence the nutrition imbalance. For the development of HMRs, developing various menu and the packaging materials for HMR products, constructing the thorough sanitary management, and strengthening R & D for the HMR of Korean food were the future tasks in Korean HMR industry.

• 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.

• 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.23 no.3 s.99
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• pp.388-400
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristics of consumers who purchase home meal replacements (HMR) and to analyze the differences for frequency of use, preference, satisfaction, and repurchase intention based on HMR product categories. The subjects were adults in their twenties or older, who had used HMRs and lived in Seoul and the Gyeonggi Province of Korea. Five-hundred and fifty subjects were chosen by random sampling, and questionnaires were distributed from March 12 to 30, 2005. A total of 451 questionnaires were returned (the rate of return was 82%). The primary results of the study are as follows. First, by analyzing for differences based on the demographical characteristics of the HMR consumers, men had higher 'frequencies of use' and preference, whereas women had higher satisfaction and 'intentions to purchase again.' This implies that HMRs assist women who are usually in charge of home food preparation, based on time and cooking effort; hence a higher satisfaction among the women. Second, by analyzing for differences based on the characteristics of HMR consumers who ate the products, 'frequency of use' (p<.001), preference (p<.01), satisfaction (p<.001), and 'intention to repurchase' (p<.001) for the 'ready to eat' HMR category, by the person who prepared the food, were significantly higher for those subjects in their 20s than for those in other age groups. As for persons influenced by the meal, the teen age group had significantly lower 'frequency of use'(p<.001), preference (p<.05), satisfaction (p<.01) and 'intention to repurchase' (p<.01) than other age groups. 'Frequency of use' (p<.001) and preference (p<.05) were lower if the person influenced by the meal was one's spouse or child than if the person influenced by the meal was oneself. Third, regarding the preference for eating at home or eating out, 'frequency of use' was significantly higher than the other analyzed factors for the 'ready to eat,' 'ready to heat,' and 'ready to end-cook' HMR categories. In short, the 'frequency of use' for HMRs was higher for those who preferred to eat at home versus eating out, simply as a result of being bored with eating out, which is essentially the reason for the origin of HMR.

• Korean Management Science Review
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.125-137
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• 2013

The U.S. Army is capable and ready to deploy full-spectrum armed forces anywhere in the world as we have seen in Iraq and Afghanistan. This commitment is within the realm of logistics support that the readiness to support MRE(Meal Ready to Eat), according to the environment where the operation is on going. ROKA(Republic Of Korea Army) proceeds with the program to develop and reserve various MRE under the assumption of distinctive warfare operating environment. This study investigates to determine the amount of MRE consumption within various operating environment and details are as follows. First we ponder the concept of MRE and identified problems of the existing program. Second we also establish feeding rations by the types of MRE that is the base for calculation. Third we introduce MRE consumption algorithm and formula. Fourth and last we have applied our model to the program and analyzed the results. The present state of the estimation didn't reflect various warfare operating environment. Therefore we simulates theater wargame model to determine the consumption under various warfare operating environment. The result of this study is anticipated to contribute largely to the force enhancement as it mirrors of every circumstances of operating environment.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.116-125
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to assess the sugars contents of home meal replacement (HMR) products currently sold in Korea. This study surveyed and examined the sugars contents in 835 popular HMRs (294 ready-to-eat foods; RTE, 499 ready-to-cook foods; RTC, 42 fresh-cut vegetables; FCV) through the nutrition labels. The average price, weight and energy content of 835 HMR products were 3,917.5 Korean won, 336.0 g, and 522.7 kcal, respectively. The sugars content per product was significantly higher in the RTCs (13.4 g) and RTEs (10.3 g) than that in the FCVs (4.2 g) (P<0.001), and the percentage of energy from sugars was 9.7% for the RTEs, 10.2% for the RTCs, and 8.7% for the FCVs without any significant difference. The sugars contents of 9 RTE types were in the order of side dishes (34.3 g), sunsik (22.5 g) and hamburgers (12.1 g) per package. The percentage of energy from sugars was highest in side dishes (28.1%), followed by kimchi (24.9%), sunsik (17.2%), and hamburgers (10.6%). Among 14 RTC types, the sugars contents were in the order of hot dogs (52.9 g), tteokbokki (30.4 g) and noodles (21.2 g) per package. The percentage of energy from sugars was the highest at 22.9% for sauces, followed by side dishes (17.3%), porridges (14.4%), instant stews (14.3%), and hot dogs (13.1%). Strategies and practices are needed to reduce the sugars contents of HMR producers and the sugars intakes of HMR consumers.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.650-661
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze the importance and satisfaction of consumer selective attributes by home meal replacement (HMR) types using local ingredients. This study was conducted from December 4 to December 8, 2020. A total of 380 responses organized according to preferred types of HMR (100 for Ready to Eat (RTE), 92 for Ready to Heat (RTH), 88 for Ready to Cook (RTC), 100 for Ready to Prepared (RTP) were used for the final analysis. Statistical analysis was conducted by descriptive analysis, paired t-test, and importance-satisfaction analysis by HMR type. Findings of this study showed significant differences in consumer selective attributes by HMR type. RTE and RTC need to improve quality while RTH needs to improve quality and packaging. Notable selective attributes were quality, packaging, and information. They were located in different quadrants of each HMR type. All other attributes appeared in the same quadrant. Further research is needed to determine differences in quality, packaging, and information for each HMR type. Results of this study provide basic data for developing products and marketing strategies for each type of HMR products using local ingredients.