Naturally confused: Consumers’ perceptions of all-natural and organic pork products

K. M. Abrams¹, C. A. Meyers² and T. A. Irani¹

Abstract
Consumers are bombarded with labels and claims that are intended to address their concerns about how food products are produced, processed, and regulated. Among those are the natural or all-natural claims and the certified organic label. In this study, two focus groups were conducted to explore consumers’ attitudes toward all-natural and organic pork and to gather their reactions to the USDA organic standards for meat, and the policy for natural claims.

Results indicated that participants had positive associations with the terms “organic” and “all-natural” with exceptions regarding the trustworthiness of all-natural claims. Participants perceived the “no” labeling theme (no antibiotics, no hormones, no chemicals, etc.) often coupled with the all-natural label on pork products as identifying potential health and animal welfare risks. In response to the USDA standards and policies for labeling pork products as organic or all-natural, participants expressed confusion and had many unanswered questions.


Source
Agriculture and Human Values (2010) 27: 365-374
DOI: 10.1007/s10460-009-9234-5


Author Locations and Affiliations
(1) Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, University of Florida, PO Box 110540, Gainesville, FL  32611-0540, USA
(2) Department of Agricultural Education and Communications, Texas Tech University, Box 42131, Lubbock, TX 79409-2131, USA


Posted September 2010