Judging a product by its cover: Packaging sustainability and perceptions of quality in food products

Publication date: October 2016 Source:Food Quality and Preference, Volume 53 Author(s): Lise Magnier, Jan Schoormans, Ruth Mugge In this paper, we test the influence of packaging sustainability on consumers’ perceived quality of food products using two experiments featuring raisins, chocolate bars and coffee. First, the results show that the perceived quality of a food product is more positive when it is packed in a sustainable packaging than when it is packed in a conventional packaging. Next, we demonstrate that product sustainability moderates the influence of packaging sustainability. Finally, we show that the perceived naturalness of the product induced by package and product sustainability explains the perception of product quality.

Source: Food Quality and Preference - June 30, 2016 Category: Food Science Source Type: research