Public Perceptions Aspects

The food shelves in the supermarket change rapidly and are increasingly filled with special foods for all kinds of target groups like children, adolescents, seniors, diabetics and pregnant women. The food industry foresees a large market for health improving products and makes an effort to develop this market. However, there are also doubts about the chances of these products. Consumer organisations and other interest groups raise questions about the desirability of such new products. There are doubts whether the industry can justify the health claims that are put forward, questions about risks of over-consumption of certain substances and also doubts about unknown side effects in long-term consumption1. In the media discussions emerge on whether these functional foods offer value for money. Some people wonder how these foods might affect the motivation of maintaining a healthy lifestyle since consumers might rely too much on the healthy influence of functional foods.