Kosa Katherine M, Cates Sheryl C, Karns Shawn, Godwin Sandria L, Chambers Delores
RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Road, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA.
J Food Prot. 2007 May;70(5):1213-9. doi: 10.4315/0362-028x-70.5.1213.
Consumers are relying increasingly on ready-to-eat (RTE) foods because they are convenient, quick, and easy. Open dates let consumers know by which date to purchase or use RTE foods for best quality. To further characterize consumer knowledge and use of open dates for specific refrigerated RTE foods (smoked seafood, cooked crustaceans, bagged salads, prewashed cut produce, soft cheeses, frankfurters, deli meats, fermented sausages, and deli salads), we conducted a nationally representative web-enabled survey (n=2060). Before purchasing RTE foods, 48 to 68% of respondents check open dates all or most of the time. Before preparing RTE foods, 43 to 64% of respondents check open dates all or most of the time. Nearly two-thirds of respondents reported that their senses were the most important factors in deciding whether to eat a refrigerated food, which is an unsafe practice. About one-third of respondents reported that an open date is the most important factor in deciding whether to eat a refrigerated food. Many respondents, however, do not understand the meanings of the different types of dates. Only 18% correctly defined the use-by date. The findings suggest consumers could benefit from education regarding open dates and recommended storage times for RTE foods.
消费者越来越依赖即食（RTE）食品，因为它们方便、快捷且易于使用。开封日期让消费者知道在哪个日期前购买或食用即食食品以保证最佳品质。为了进一步了解消费者对于特定冷藏即食食品（烟熏海鲜、熟甲壳类动物、袋装沙拉、预洗切好的农产品、软奶酪、法兰克福香肠、熟食肉类、发酵香肠和熟食沙拉）开封日期的了解情况及使用情况，我们开展了一项具有全国代表性的网络调查（n = 2060）。在购买即食食品之前，48%至68%的受访者会全部或大部分时间查看开封日期。在准备即食食品之前，43%至64%的受访者会全部或大部分时间查看开封日期。近三分之二的受访者表示，他们的感官是决定是否食用冷藏食品的最重要因素，而这是一种不安全的做法。约三分之一的受访者表示，开封日期是决定是否食用冷藏食品的最重要因素。然而，许多受访者并不理解不同类型日期的含义。只有18%的人正确定义了保质期。研究结果表明，消费者可以从有关开封日期和即食食品推荐储存时间的教育中受益。
