Health claims on snack bar packaging lead to better consumer sensory acceptance: study

19 Oct 2017 --- A study looking into the influence of package and health-related claims on perception and sensory acceptability of snack bars has found that when health claims were given to consumers, a better sensory acceptance was observed. Among other findings, package attributes, price and flavor were also highlighted on purchase intention of bars.

Concerns for health can lead to healthier food choices, especially if the consumer is well informed, the Brazilian study, published in Food Research International, points out. It aimed to evaluate the importance of package and health-related claims on Brazilian consumers’ acceptance of snack bars.

Most important purchase factors identified
In order to evaluate package attributes, in focus group discussions, 19 consumers chose the most important factors that influence their purchase decisions. Next, 102 consumers evaluated six commercial brands of snack bars in a three-session acceptance test: the first with no information about the product, the second containing the product package and the third with information on health-related claims associated with consumption of the bar.

In general, package attributes, price and flavor were the most important factors that influenced the purchase of snack bars. Health claims positively influenced consumer acceptance, but information concerning the absence of gluten and lactose did not significantly alter sensory acceptance.

The presence of omega 3s, sugars, preservatives, flavorings and colorings have the potential to improve acceptability, because they were able to raise the acceptance of the seed bar, removing it from the rejection region, the study notes. It adds that protein and nut bars are not well known to the general public and the lower mean acceptance of the seed and protein bars demonstrated the need for sensorial improvement.