S24 - Session P1 - Consumer attitudes towards apples with low allergenicity and other health-related properties

Authors: Diemo Daum *, Tabea Isabel Hinz, Christian Frank, Christoph Budke, Ulrich Enneking

Iodine is an essential trace element for humans and must therefore be regularly taken in with food. This micronutrient is necessary for many functions in the body, such as normal thyroid function and thyroid hormone production, as well as normal cognitive function and energy metabolism. Due to iodine-poor soils in Central Europe and low consumption of sea fish, iodine deficiency is still relatively widespread here. To improve dietary intake of iodine, apart from the use of iodized table salt in households, various fortification approaches can be considered: breeding iodine-rich plant varieties, iodine soil or foliar fertilization of plants, iodine addition in food processing or the use of iodine-containing supplements in livestock husbandry. The aim of this study was to evaluate how consumers assess these different methods of iodine enrichment in food, among others in terms of trustworthiness, naturalness or environmental friendliness. In addition, it was analyzed whether these attitudes depend on dietary habits or socio-demographic characteristics of the participants. For this purpose, an online consumer survey was conducted among 1,016 adult Germans. Overall, the breeding of iodine-rich plants was rated best by the consumers surveyed. The participants consider this approach to be particularly effective, environmentally friendly, trustworthy and natural, and the food produced in this way to be particularly healthy. However, the respondents also suspect that this approach is more expensive than the other practices presented. Iodine fertilization, both via soil and foliage, as well as the supply of iodine into the feed of farm animals, were assessed rather skeptically in most aspects. A regression analysis showed that a vegetarian or vegan dietary style had a positive effect on the acceptance of different fortification methods. In contrast, gender, age, and place of purchase had no significant influence in this regard.