A study on Consumer’s Knowledge, Attitude and Consumption pattern of Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals in Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

In recent days, consumers are more anxious about their health and foster extra care to their lifestyle and diet and this has led to the growing demand for functional foods. Monitoring consumers’ attitudes towards functional foods and nutraceuticals is essential to corroborate consumers’ needs and expectations. The objective of the current study is to congregate data that can be availed by nutritionists, dietitians, and the food industry to improve the acceptance of functional foods and nutraceuticals.

A questionnaire was developed to collect information about the knowledge and attitude on functional foods and their health benefits, sources of information, and awareness of health claims and consumption trends of commercially available functional foods and nutraceuticals. With a response rate of 79.8 %, 398 respondents answered the pre-tested questionnaire. 74.2% of the respondents were able to explain functional foods and nutraceuticals. The study had recorded a positive attitude of respondents with good knowledge of functional foods. But the consumption trend of commercial functional foods and nutraceuticals was relatively less compared to the knowledge and positive attitude exhibited by the respondents.  This study has thrown up the statement that good knowledge of functional foods and a positive attitude does not necessarily lead to the purchase and c­­­onsumption of these products by the consumers. Other factors determining consumer acceptance should be explored.