Functional Foods in Macedonia: Consumers’ Perspective and Public Health Policy

Authors

  • Igor Spiroski Institute of Public Health of the Republic of Macedonia, Skopje
  • Dragan Gjorgjev Institute of Public Health of the Republic of Macedonia, Skopje
  • Jasna Milosevic IPSOS Strategic Marketing, Belgrade
  • Vladimir Kendrovski WHO Regional Office for Europe, European Centre for Environment and Health, Bonn
  • Daniela Naunova-Spiroska Avicena Diagnostica, Skopje
  • Dominique Barjolle Institute for Environmental Decisions IED, ETH Zürich, Zürich

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2013.021

Keywords:

functional foods, attitudes, consumers, Macedonia, public health.

Abstract

Background: The objective of our study was to explore the knowledge, attitudes and practices of Macedonian consumers towards functional foods, to predict future trends and to assess the national public health policies encompassing the functional foods market.

Methods: Total of 518 respondents aged 18+, from all regions in the country participated in the study. They were sampled through three-staged national representative sampling procedures. The questionnaire comprised questions regarding the level of information about functional foods, trust in health claims, frequency of consumption and knowledge and attitudes related to those foods. Statistical significance was determined at p<0.05.

Results: Respondents aged 18-34 were more informed compared to the total population (22 and 16 % respectively, p<0.05). Most of the consumers consume these products once a day. Employed consumers were willing to increase daily consumption from 3 to 18 % (p<0.05). On average 65.1% of the statements assessing knowledge were answered correctly. On a scale from -3 to +3 functional foods were considered as very healthy (mean=2.03, SD=1.42).

Conclusion: On average, Macedonian consumers have a positive attitude and high expectations of functional foods. Public health policies still lag when compared to comprehensive approach of the food industry in market placement of these products.

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Published

2013-12-15

How to Cite

1.
Spiroski I, Gjorgjev D, Milosevic J, Kendrovski V, Naunova-Spiroska D, Barjolle D. Functional Foods in Macedonia: Consumers’ Perspective and Public Health Policy. Open Access Maced J Med Sci [Internet]. 2013 Dec. 15 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];1(1):102-7. Available from: https://oamjms.eu/index.php/mjms/article/view/oamjms.2013.021

Issue

Section

E - Public Health