Objective
Distributors and promoters of organic food claim their products are superior in taste compared to conventional alternatives. This argument, however, is still the subject of heated debate and thus deserves greater scientific examination. Since repurchase intentions are dependent on the overall liking of a product, and sensory experiences may have an important impact on this, knowledge about these factors is crucial if producers and marketers of organic food are to offer products which meet consumer expectations. The main purpose of this project is to develop the first Organic Sensory Information System (OSIS), a multilingual and centrally based data folder for data deposition along with an interface scheme that serves as a basis for data exchange for the benefit of the organic food market (organic associations, producers, processors, retailers, wholesalers and also consumers). To this end, a multidisciplinary and international research approach is needed which comprises sensory and consumer research linked to standards requirements in different European countries. The extendable data folder will contain descriptions of the sensory properties of specific products in six product categories. It will also contain information about underlying production methods, explaining the sensory differences between organic and conventional methods, and discussing consumer expectations. The comprehensive sensory evaluations will further feed into a preference mapping of sensory quality. The impact of EU legislation and of organic farming association standards will also be elaborated for OSIS. Qualitative and quantitative consumer research will be carried out to develop segment-specific marketing strategies based on OSIS for all stakeholders. Comprehensive dissemination and training activities, including the preparation of training materials for all stakeholder groups as well as for sales staff, will ensure the entire organic food market has ready access to reliable information.
Fields of science
Call for proposal
FP7-SME-2007-2
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Funding Scheme
BSG-SME-AG - Research for SME associations/groupingsCoordinator
5070 Frick
Switzerland
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Participants (22)
Participation ended
6708 PD WAGENINGEN
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10179 BERLIN
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3817XH AMERSFOORT
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87 134 ZLAWIES WIELKA
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4053 Basel
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75018 PARIS
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40132 BOLOGNA
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27572 Bremerhaven
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8401 Winterthur
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37073 Gottingen
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02 787 Warszawa
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91120 Palaiseau
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40126 Bologna
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6708 PB Wageningen
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48165 MUENSTER
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61000 ALENCON
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06132 MUGNANO
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6248 Alberswil
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1094 CC Amsterdam
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71 121 SZCZECIN
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90411 Nürnberg
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57170 CHATEAU SALINS
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