현대 사회에서 건강기능식품은 건강 유지와 증진을 위 한 필수 요소로 자리 잡고 있으며, 한국의 건강기능식품 시장은 빠르게 성장하고 있다. 그러나, 이러한 성장과 함 께 부작용 사례도 증가하고 있어 소비자들에게 잠재적 건 강상의 위험을 초래할 수 있다. 본 연구는 서울 및 수도 권을 포함한 5개 광역시에 거주하는 만 20세 이상 69세 이하의 성인 남녀 2,000명을 대상으로 건강기능식품에 대 한 인식과 구매 및 섭취 과정에서의 문제점을 파악하고자 하였다. 설문조사는 온라인으로 진행되었으며, 데이터는 SPSS 통계 프로그램을 통해 분석되었다. 주요 결과로는 응답자의 68.9%가 면역 기능 강화를 위해 건강기능식품 을 섭취하고 있었다. 또한, 소비자들은 주로 온라인 채널 을 통해 건강기능식품을 구매하는 경향이 있었으며, 정보 습득 경로로는 가족 및 친구, TV 프로그램, SNS 등이 주 요했다. 그러나, 응답자 중 21.2%가 부작용을 경험하였으 며, 이는 건강기능식품의 안전성에 대한 우려를 나타낸다 . 이번 연구에서는 소비자 교육과 정보 제공의 중요성을 강조하며, 건강기능식품의 올바른 선택과 섭취를 위한 체 계적인 교육과 정보 제공이 필요하다고 결론지었다. 이러 한 노력은 건강기능식품 시장의 지속 가능한 발전을 도모 하고 소비자 보호를 강화하는 데 기여할 것이다.

본 연구는 소비자위해감시시스템(Consumer Injury Surveillance System, CISS)과 1372 소비자상담센터를 통 해 수집된 건강기능식품 관련 위해 사례를 분석하여, 소 비자가 겪는 부작용 및 불만 사항을 심층적으로 검토하였 다. 연구 결과, CISS를 통해 수집된 461건의 위해 사례는 주로 중장년층과 어린이·청소년층에서 많이 발생했으며, 가장 빈번하게 보고된 부작용은 피부 발진, 복통, 구토와 같은 신체 반응이었다. 특히, 50대와 10대 미만에서 부작 용 발생률이 높아, 이들 연령대에 대한 철저한 관리와 주 의가 필요함을 시사하였다. 또한, 홍삼, 유산균, 프로폴리 스 등에 대한 부작용 사례가 다수 보고되어, 제품의 판매 량에 영향이 있을 수 있으나, 해당 제품을 섭취하는 소비 자들에 대한 세심한 정보 제공과 주의가 요구됨을 확인하 였다. 부작용 중에서 가장 높은 비율을 차지한 것은 복통, 구토, 두드러기와 같은 피부 및 소화기관 관련 증상이었 으며, 이는 제품 섭취 전에 부패·변질 여부를 확인하는 것 이 중요함을 강조한다. 1372 소비자상담센터에 접수된 907 건의 상담사례 중 549건은 안전 문제와 관련되었고, 313 건은 표시·광고와 관련된 불만 사항이었다. 특히, 표시·광고와 관련된 불만은 제품 표시의 불충분함과 광고 내용의 신뢰성 부족에서 기인하였으며, 이는 소비자들이 제품 정 보를 정확히 얻지 못함으로써 발생하였다. 이에 대한 해 결책으로 제품 표시와 광고에 대한 규제 강화와 소비자 교육이 필요하다.

The objectives of the study were to examine food waste generation and reduction efforts at home, and to identify factors affecting the intention to reduce food waste. A total of 3,321 food buyer responses were used from the 2022 Consumer Behavior Survey for Food of the Korea Rural Economic Institute. Statistical methods for a complex sample were applied by using a SPSS program (ver. 26.0). The average daily food waste generation per household significantly differed by the main food purchaser’s age and household size. Plate waste and food waste from preparation were the main types of food waste. A multiple regression analysis revealed that intention to reduce food waste was influenced by the main types of food waste, the average daily amount of food waste, the perceived amount of food waste, and the perceived importance of food waste reduction after adjusting for the age of the main food purchaser and household size. Since the amount of food waste was affected by a series of food behaviors as well as consumer’s intention to reduce waste, empirical research on the types and amounts of food waste generated in Korean households and qualitative research on behaviors and attitude affecting food waste are needed.

This study examined the intake status and the factors affecting intake of functional foods using the data from Consumer Behavior Survey for Food by the Korea Rural Economic Institute. Among the total respondents, 80.4% took functional foods, and the number of respondents who took two types of functional foods was the highest. The main reason for taking functional foods was to prevent disease, and the main places of purchase of functional foods were off-line large supermarkets, on-line shopping malls, and pharmacies. Compared to a year ago, the percentage of increase in functional food purchases this year was higher than the percentage of decrease. The most common reasons for not taking functional foods were ‘not feeling the need’ and ‘not trusting the quality’. As a result of conducting a complex samples logistic regression analysis to identify the factors affecting the intake of functional foods, gender, age, marital status, illness state, alcohol drinking, and convenience-seeking type among dietary lifestyles were significant.

This study aimed to compare food procurement and dietary behavior of single-person households in Korea. A total of 949 single-person households that participated in the 2022 Food Consumption Behavior Survey were divided into three age groups: 20~39 years (n=204), 40~59 years (n=317), and 60~74 years (n=428). Monthly expenditure on eating out was similar for the 20~39 and 40~59 age groups at around 145,000 KRW, while the 60~74 age group spent 79,823 KRW (p<0.001). The frequency of eating out was the highest at 2~3 days per week for the 20~39 age group, with take-out occurring 1 day per week (p<0.01). Regarding online food purchases, 35% of the 20~39 age group bought food online once every two weeks, whereas 40~59 and 60~74 age groups had higher percentages of those buying non-online food (44.7% and 89.0%, respectively, p<0.001). Regarding dietary competency index, healthy eating scores were the highest in the 60~74 age group (p<0.01). As the dietary competency index increased, monthly expenditure on take-out decreased for the 40~59 age group while satisfaction with current diet increased across all age groups (p<0.01). This study is expected to be helpful for developing nutrition education materials tailored to different life stages.

This study compared the dietary perceptions, food labeling behaviors, and purchasing patterns of vegetarians and nonvegetarians. The data from 5,811 adults aged ≥19 years who participated in the 2023 Consumer Behavior Survey for Food were analyzed. The participants were divided into vegetarians and non-vegetarians according to their dietary practices. Vegetarians were further divided into strict, semi, and occasional vegetarians. Non-vegetarians regularly consumed plantand animal-based foods without dietary restrictions. Vegetarians comprised 15.4% of the participants, and health (50.4%) was the primary motivation for adopting a vegetarian lifestyle. Compared to non-vegetarians, vegetarians prioritized their rights and responsibilities as citizens and identified a vegetable-centered diet as the most crucial factor for health. Vegetarians showed greater interest and trust in food labeling than non-vegetarians. Vegetarians selected a wider variety of food and had different purchasing motivations when purchasing eco-friendly foods than non-vegetarians. Vegetarians exhibited higher purchase frequencies across all categories than non-vegetarians and had different reasons for purchasing convenience foods. These findings highlight the diversity of vegetarian dietary motivations and behaviors, emphasizing the need for tailored dietary policies and education.

This study analyzed the status of agrifood consumer competencies and the factors influencing them to provide useful information to improve the quality of life by strengthening the agrifood consumer competencies. The raw data of the 2022 Consumer Behavior Survey for Food collected by the Korea Rural Economic Research Institute were used. The data from 3,321 responses were used for the final analysis. Among the competencies, the average score of the cognitive and practical competencies were 3.543 and 3.459 points, respectively. In addition, the average scores of the specific areas within cognitive competency were 3.587 points for dietary competency, 3.557 points for civic competency, and 3.489 points for purchasing competency. Within practical competency, the average scores of the specific areas were 3.569 points for dietary competency, 3.422 points for civic competency, and 3.392 points for purchasing competency. Gender, age, monthly household income, marital status, administrative district, interest in health, and interest in food safety issues were the significant factors affecting the specific areas within cognitive competency. On the other hand, gender, age, educational level, monthly household income, marital status, administrative district, interest in food safety issues, and each of the areas within cognitive competency had a significant impact on the specific areas of practical competency.

This study examined domestic consumption trends in the development of mushroom-based alternative food products. It found that 85.5% of consumers were aware of alternative foods, with a higher recognition rate among younger age groups and variations based on household composition and monthly income. Additionally, 70% of consumers familiar with alternative foods had tried them. Among those who had not, taste (16%) and purchasing challenges (15%) were the primary barriers. Minced meat was the most commonly consumed alternative (25%), while dumplings (7%) and burgers (1%) were less popular. Notably, dumplings and burgers showed the highest potential for development using mushroom-based ingredients. These findings provide valuable foundational data for advancing mushroom-based alternative food products.

This study aims to develop effective strategies for stimulating seafood consumption in the growing young children market, particularly at a time when interest in healthy eating is increasing. To achieve this, data from the 2023 survey on changes in seafood consumption behavior of 1,000 domestic consumers by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency were utilized. The analysis was conducted using an ordered probit model, along with T-tests and chi-square tests to examine the determinants of seafood consumption. The results indicated that the presence of young children in a household significantly influences seafood consumption. This is largely due to the perception that seafood is beneficial for the health and safety of infants and toddlers. Households with young children prioritize food safety and convenience, showing a preference for pre-processed seafood, while households without young children tend to purchase unprocessed seafood and prepare it themselves. This study highlights the impact of having young children on seafood consumption and purchasing behavior, providing valuable insights for the development of targeted seafood marketing strategies and policies.

The domestic swine industry is currently facing a threat due to the recent increase in pork imports. This study aims to determine what factors influence consumers' intention to consume imported pork and suggest measures to support the domestic pork industry. To achieve this, we analyzed data from the Korea Rural Economic Institute's Food Consumption Behavior Survey using a binary logistic regression model. The results revealed that a higher intention to consume imported pork is linked to a higher intention to consume imported rice, purchasing meat online, frequent purchases of HMR, and procuring U.S. beef, especially among urban residents. On the other hand, a lower intention to consume imported pork is associated with a higher awareness of animal welfare certification, frequently dining out, and older age. Based on these findings, we propose the following response measures for the domestic swine industry: implementing educational programs, marketing, and advertising specifically targeting urban residents to improve their perception of domestic agricultural products; enhancing price competitiveness through distribution optimization; and developing policies to promote the use of domestic pork as an ingredient in processed foods.

This study was conducted to investigate whether there were differences in eco-friendly food, home meal replacement (HMR) purchases, and eating-out behavior according to the level of agri-food consumer competence. The data for the study were extracted from main food consumers (n=3,321) in the 2022 Food Consumption Behavior Survey. The competence index was divided into awareness-attitude-practice items, and three groups were classified by competence level. The results showed an agri-food consumer competency score of 70.62, with the highest score for awareness (73.96), followed by practice (69.28) and attitude (66.18). The frequency of purchasing eco-friendly food was higher in the excellent group compared to other groups, and quality and price satisfaction was higher with higher competency (p<0.001). Regarding HMR, the results showed that the shortage group had the lowest HMR consumption rate, and satisfaction decreased as competence decreased (p<0.001). The main reason for eating-out was to enjoy food in all groups (59.0%), followed by a lack of cooking time in the excellent group (15.7%) and hassle with food preparation in the moderate and shortage groups (17.3%, 16.6%) (p<0.001). In short, agri-food consumption competency showed differences by contents and components, and differences in food purchases and eating-out behavior by competency level were found.

In Korea, from January 2023, the Act on Labeling and Advertising of Food was revised to reflect the use-by-date rather than the sell-by-date. Hence, the purpose of this study was to establish a system for calculating the safety factor and determining the recommended use-by-date for each food type, thereby providing a scientific basis for the recommended use-by-date labels. A safety factor calculation technique based on scientific principles was designed through literature review and simulation, and opinions were collected by conducting surveys and discussions including industry and academia, among others. The main considerations in this study were pH, Aw, sterilization, preservatives, packaging for storage improvement, storage temperature, and other external factors. A safety factor of 0.97 was exceptionally applied for frozen products and 1.0 for sterilized products. In addition, a between-sample error value of 0.08 was applied to factors related to product and experimental design. This study suggests that clearly providing a safe use-by-date will help reduce food waste and contribute to carbon neutrality.

This study examined the determinants of healthy food purchases before and after COVID-19 in Korea. Binomial and multinomial logistic regression models were applied to Korea Rural Economic Institute's Food Consumer Behavior Survey data from 2019 to 2021. The analysis revealed a significant decrease in the non-intake of healthy food in 2021 compared to 2019, suggesting the impact of COVID-19 on healthy food consumption. Consumption patterns also changed, with a decrease in direct purchases and an increase in gift-based purchases. Several variables showed significant effects on healthy food intake. Single-person households exhibited a higher probability of eating healthy food after COVID-19. The group perceiving themselves as healthy had a lower likelihood of consuming healthy food pre-COVID-19, but this changed after the pandemic. Online food purchases, eco-friendly food purchases, and nut consumption showed a gradual decrease in the probability of non-intake over time. Gender and age also influenced healthy food intake. The probability of eating healthy food increased in the older age group compared to the younger group, and the probability increased significantly after COVID-19. The probability of buying gifts was significantly higher in those in their 60s, indicating that the path to obtaining healthy food differed by age.

In this research, we examined the shifts in determinants influencing the frequency of eco-friendly food purchases pre- and post-COVID-19. Our analysis utilized filtered 2019-2021 Consumption Behavior Survey data from the Korea Rural Economic Institute Food, excluding any irrational responses. Given the nature of the dependent variable, a multinomial logistic regression model was employed with demographic factors, variables pertaining to food consumption behavior, and variables concerning food consumption awareness as predictors. Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, an individual's level of education was observed to positively influence the frequency of eco-friendly food purchases. In contrast, income level and fluctuations in food consumption expenditure did not appear to have a discernible impact on the purchasing frequency of such eco-friendly products. Irrespective of the advent of COVID-19, variables such as the frequency of online food purchases, the utilization of early morning delivery services, dining out frequency, and the intake of health-functional foods consistently demonstrated a positive correlation with the propensity to purchase eco-friendly foods. Overall, consumers prioritizing safety, quality, and nutrition over price, taste, and convenience in their procurement decisions for rice, vegetables, meat, and processed foods exhibit an increased inclination toward the acquisition of eco-friendly food products.

Food upcycling has emerged as an effective approach to sustainably utilize the food waste generated within the food supply chain. This review article examines upcycled food with respect to its definition, consumers’ knowledge and perception on it, and the process by which by-products from the food supply chain are utilized for the creation of upcycled food products. The definition of upcycled food varied among manufacturers, research institutions, and the Upcycled Food Association, depending on the specific values and objectives of each sector. This has resulted in the use of different keywords to highlight the distinctive characteristics of their respective interpretations of upcycled food. This review also summarizes the various consumer traits that can influence the awareness and acceptance of upcycled food, encompassing functional, empirical and emotional, symbolic and self-expressive, and economic benefits. Additionally, the review presents strategies to utilize by-products produced in large quantities in Korea, while also addressing the control of hazardous components to ensure biological or chemical safety and the changes in nutritional value that may occur during the utilization of these byproducts.

As the demand for ready-to-eat foods continues to grow, concerns about the sodium in processed foods are also growing. In this study, a survey was conducted on the perception of low-sodium products and diffusion plans according to the type of employee (manufacturer, retailer, distributor). Of the 191 responses collected, 189 valid responses (98.9%) were analyzed. The results showed that the employees were aware of the health contribution of a low-sodium diet, labeling for low-sodium, and the promotion of low-sodium food to increase its consumption. Furthermore, retailers recognized the positive contribution of low-sodium products in terms of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) management. The use of sodium substitutes was preferred as the best way to reduce sodium in ready-to-eat foods. With regard to sodium reduction in readyto- eat foods, we found that the technical factors involved were clustered by the type of business. Specifically, distributors showed a similar performance but had a lower perception of importance than retailers. Manufacturers had a lower perception of both importance and performance. In this study, we collected perceptions from employees who were working at food companies, which differed from previous research. We sought to examine the differences in the perception of sodium reduction and consumption of ready-to-eat foods across various types of employment. Furthermore, we provided specific approaches to reduce perception gaps and enhance understanding among employees.

This study analyzed the determinants that affect the purchase of ready-to-cook seafood products using the “Consumer Attitude Survey on Processed Foods” from 2018 to 2021. Dietary lifestyle, food awareness and preference survey questions were categorized, and factors affecting the purchase probability of ready-to-cook seafood were identified through a binomial logit model. The main research findings are as follows. First, consumers had higher preference for quality, safety, and new taste factors than health and price factors when purchasing HMR (Home Meal Replacement). Second, through binomial logit model analysis, the probability of purchasing ready-to-cook seafood products was low in the group pursuing taste and economy. On the other hand, the purchase probability was high in the group seeking convenience. Third, the purchase probability of ready-to-cook seafood products was higher in households with two or more persons than in single-person households. These results suggest that differentiated product development and marketing strategies should be needed for each consumer groups in the seafood convenience food market

The influence of the food value consumption type of MZ generation on food choice attribute and sustainable food consumption behavior was studied using structural equation modeling. A survey was conducted on April 11~17, 2022, among panels aged 20 to 39. A total of 350 valid replicates (100%) were analyzed using statistical program SPSS The validity of the measurement instrument was verified through exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. The data reliability was confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. The hypothesis was verified by performing path analysis through structural equation modeling using AMOS. Regarding the influence of food choice characteristics on sustainable food consumption behavior, health has a significant positive (+) effect on the selection consumption behavior of certified food and local food. Among food value consumption categories social value consumption has a significant negative (－) influence on the consumption behavior of certified food and the choice of local food. Ethical value consumption has a significant positive (+) influence on the selection consumption behavior of certified food and local food. This study is significant because it has identified sustainable food consumption behaviors that domestic consumers can adopt daily. It can use as baseline data for preparing political and institutional measures.

This study aims to investigate protein consumption market trends in Korea. Protein consumption was divided according to the protein source into meat, fishery, and plant-based protein. To accomplish the goal of this study, food purchase data from 525 households panels collected by the Rural Development Administration over the last 10 years were used. The results of the study showed an increase or decrease in protein consumption by protein type over the last 10 years, and a reason to explain this change has been suggested. Specifically, this study found a dramatic increase in the consumption of several proteins, including beef sirloin, beef tenderloin, seasoned beef & steak, pork belly, pork shoulder, pork neck, seasoned pork, pork cutlet, sweet and sour pork, canned ham, chicken drumstick, chicken breast, dak gangjeong, Chinese fried chili chicken, salmon, eel, abalone, squid, octopus, webfoot octopus, octopus minor, canned whelk, tofu, cold bean soup,and plant-based milk. Some items showed no increase in consumption (such as beef jerky, pork rib, sausage, bacon, whole raw chicken, cutlass fish, oyster, fish cake, crab stick, surimi sausage,and canned fishery), whereas a few items showed decreased consumption (e.g., mackerel, pollack, cod,and canned tuna)