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Does the 'Mountain Pasture Product' Claim Affect Local Cheese Acceptability?
Isabella Endrizzi1, Danny Cliceri2, Leonardo Menghi1,2,3
1Research and Innovation Centre, Department of Food Quality and Nutrition, Fondazione Edmund Mach, via E. Mach 1, 38010 San Michele all'Adige, Italy.
Foods (Basel, Switzerland)
|April 3, 2021
Summary
Information about "mountain pasture product" significantly increased consumer liking for Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) cheese. This effect was observed across diverse consumer segments, highlighting the value of origin information.
Area of Science:
- Food Science
- Consumer Behavior
- Sensory Analysis
Background:
- Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) cheeses often rely on traditional production methods tied to specific geographical environments.
- Mountain pasture practices (MPP) are increasingly recognized for their potential impact on product quality and sustainability.
- Consumer perception of food products is influenced by origin information and associated production practices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of "mountain pasture product" information on consumer acceptability of PDO cheese.
- To determine if this effect varies across different consumer segments based on their demographics, habits, and attitudes.
- To compare consumer preference for cheese from mountain pasture-raised cows versus stall-fed cows.
Main Methods:
- 156 consumers evaluated four cheese samples (P: mountain pasture, S: stall-fed) presented with varying origin information.
- Consumer liking was measured using a 9-point hedonic scale.
- Consumer segmentation was based on demographics, food habits, sustainability attitudes, and opinions on MPP.
Main Results:
- All cheeses were rated as acceptable, with instrumental analyses revealing significant differences in color and texture.
- The 'mountain pasture' cheese (P) was generally preferred, though this preference was less pronounced in consumers less attentive to product details.
- Presenting cheese as a "mountain pasture product" significantly increased overall liking in most consumer groups, except for those with negative views on MPP.
Conclusions:
- Origin information, specifically "mountain pasture product" labeling, strongly influences consumer acceptability of PDO cheese.
- Consumer segmentation reveals varying sensitivities to product characteristics versus origin claims.
- Promoting MPP through clear product information can enhance consumer preference and potentially support sustainable agricultural practices.
