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Assertive advertising messages, such as "You must try our taco!" are ubiquitous in the hospitality industry. However, the effectiveness of assertive language as a food advertising strategy is not well understood. Drawing on language expectancy theory, this research examines how language assertiveness shapes consumers' responses to food advertisements featuring organic versus conventional food. Findings reveal that assertive (vs. nonassertive) language boosts consumers' intentions to purchase organic food, whereas nonassertive (vs. assertive) language increases consumers' intentions to purchase conventional food. Furthermore, our mediation analysis reveals that brand competence inference serves as the psychological mechanism underlying the impact of language assertiveness and food type on purchase intention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant diversity can enhance natural pest control in agriculture by providing resources and conditions that are not regularly available in conventional crops to natural enemies of crop pests. Extrafloral nectar-producing plants, for example, might cause reduction of pest densities on neighboring plants because the nectar can increase the performance of natural enemies. Coffee agroforestry systems often contain extrafloral-nectar-producing Inga spp. trees that serve several purposes. Recent studies suggest that they attract and arrest a diversity of natural enemies that contribute to the control of coffee pests. Mites from the Phytoseiid family are key natural enemies of coffee pest mites, but no study has investigated whether Inga extrafloral nectar increases the performance of predatory mites in coffee ecosystems. Thus, here, we assessed whether the extrafloral nectar of Inga edulis Mart. (Fabaceae) can be considered a suitable nutritional resource for the predatory mite Amblyseius herbicolus (Chant), one of the most abundant phytoseiids in coffee crops. We found that feeding on extrafloral nectar allows for development and survival, but not reproduction, of A. herbicolus. Whereas individuals that fed on a diet of nectar during their immature development could subsequently only oviposit after having fed on a pollen diet, individuals that had developed on pollen stopped ovipositing when fed nectar. Our findings suggest that interplanted Inga trees can help to conserve populations of predatory mites in crop ecosystems through the provision of nectar and may boost biological control services. Future research should investigate the effects of extrafloral nectar-producing trees on coffee pest control by these predatory mites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to clarify the effect of nutritional content on artificially supplied seed utilization of wintering birds in a mixed forest in South Korea. The dominant tree species in this forest were Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora), Mongolian oak (Quercus mongolica), Japanese emperor oak (Quercus dentate). At the study site, we selected 6 plots and set up 3 feeders in each plot. The feeders were located 1.5 m above the ground and spaced 1 m apart. We selected 3 types of food resources (kidney beans, brown soybeans, and peanuts) based on their energy per 100 g. We supplied 200 g of each food type at the feeders. Feeders were recorded with a digital camera (HDR AS15, Sony, Tokyo, Japan) for 2 h. This was conducted 3 times per day. The videos were then analyzed to determine the frequency of visits, duration of stay at the feeder, frequency of pecking on food items, and number of consumed food items. Moreover, social behaviors were analyzed. In this study, we used peanuts as high-fat food type. Peanuts were consumed at the highest frequency by marsh tits (Poecile palustris), great tits (Parus major), and Eurasian nuthatches (Sitta europaea). In addition, the type of food, temperature, and metabolic energy requirement affected food utilization in marsh tits and great tits. In our study, some evidence was found that wintering birds in temperate zones prefer high-energy food items. Limited food availability during winter affects social hierarchies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae)) is a pest of major economic importance that threatens the olive industry. Studying several factors affecting the survival ability of this insect during food deprivation, such as its mating status, age, and diet, may provide important insights into the biology of B. oleae that are useful for its effective control. The starvation resistance (hours of survival after the removal of food) of adult olive fruit flies was measured in four age classes in virgin and mated adults fed a full diet (water/sugar/yeast hydrolysate as protein in a 5:4:1 ratio) or a restricted, sugar-based diet lacking in protein, examining both males and females. The pattern of starvation resistance was the same for both genders under the same conditions (mating status, age, and diet) in the laboratory. Specifically, (a) mated adults showed much less resistance to starvation compared to virgin adults; (b) younger adults endured longer starvation periods compared to older adults; and (c) adults fed the restricted diet endured longer starvation periods than those fed the full diet. We conclude that mating, a full diet, and aging reduce starvation resistance. The olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae)), although a pest of major economic importance for the olive industry, has not been sufficiently studied with respect to the factors affecting its survival resistance to food deprivation. In the present study, we examined the effect of the interaction between mating status (virgin/mated), age class (11–20/21–30/31–40/41–50), and diet quality (protein plus sugar or only sugar) on starvation resistance in B. oleae under constant laboratory conditions. We conducted a total of 16 treatments (2 × 4 × 2 = 16) for each gender. Our results showed that starvation resistance in B. oleae did not differ significantly between females and males. The main conclusions of our study regarding mating status, age, and diet indicated that mated adults showed much less starvation resistance compared to virgins, younger adults endured longer, and the adults fed a restricted diet endured longer than those fed a full diet. A three-way interaction between mating status, diet, and age class was also identified and was the same for both genders. The interaction between mating status, age class, and diet also had a significant influence on starvation resistance in both sexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The worldwide distribution of Staphylococcus aureus across food types is an important food safety concern. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of S. aureus in food products and its relationship with the occurrence and development of diabetes mellitus. A total of 55 articles were included. The pooled prevalence of S. aureus was 30.2%. The highest prevalence of S. aureus was observed in cereals, followed by meat and bean products, and the lowest in confectionery, egg products, and vegetables. The prevalence in dairy and seafood products was similar. Combinations of culture and molecular methods have been used for S. aureus detection. Furthermore, the prevalence of S. aureus in developed countries (Europe and North America) was higher than that in developing countries (Asia and Africa). In addition, the prevalence was higher in the provinces of Xinjiang and Shaanxi than that in Sichuan and Shandong in China, which may be due to the difference in climate and dietary habits. The results revealed that food type, bacterial detection methods, and location can influence the prevalence of S. aureus contamination. Resistance rates to preferred antibiotics against S. aureus were the highest for cephradine, polymyxin B, and penicillin at 82.9%, 82.0%, and 81.3%, respectively. In addition, 17 studies were system reviewed that the S. aureus infections are closely associated with the development of diabetes, and the treatment of probiotic, prebiotic, FMT, and bacteriophage can prevent and control S. aureus infections. This review emphasizes the high prevalence of S. aureus contamination in food, suggesting a potential diabetic infection risk and importance of observing principles of food safety and hygiene to reduce S. aureus.

It is challenging to follow all nutritional requirements simultaneously. A good mathematical tool for converting nutrient-based suggestions into realistically nutritionally ideal food combinations integrating locally accessible foods is the diet optimization model. The objective of this study is to design a linear programming model that figures out how many grams of each food type need to be mixed to produce an instant meal complement for infants between the ages of 6 and 23 months. The mathematical model developed computes the grams of each food type – Quelea mixed with either Green Banana or White Rice or Irish Potato and Onions, Tomatoes, Carrots and Green bell Pepper. When those foods were combined, an instant food complement will be created and entirely satisfy the preset needs of malnourished infants. Thus, Tanzanian public health technologists and nutritionists may apply the linear programming approach explored in this study to create new ready-to-use food formulations.

The olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae)), although a pest of major economic importance for the olive industry, has not been sufficiently studied with respect to the factors affecting its survival resistance to food deprivation. In the present study, we examined the effect of the interaction between mating status (virgin/mated), age class (11–20/21–30/31–40/41–50), and diet quality (protein plus sugar or only sugar) on starvation resistance in B. oleae under constant laboratory conditions. We conducted a total of 16 treatments (2 × 4 × 2 = 16) for each gender. Our results showed that starvation resistance in B. oleae did not differ significantly between females and males. The main conclusions of our study regarding mating status, age, and diet indicated that mated adults showed much less starvation resistance compared to virgins, younger adults endured longer, and the adults fed a restricted diet endured longer than those fed a full diet. A three-way interaction between mating status, diet, and age class was also identified and was the same for both genders. The interaction between mating status, age class, and diet also had a significant influence on starvation resistance in both sexes.

Plant diversity can enhance natural pest control in agriculture by providing resources and conditions that are not regularly available in conventional crops to natural enemies of crop pests. Extrafloral nectar-producing plants, for example, might cause reduction of pest densities on neighboring plants because the nectar can increase the performance of natural enemies. Coffee agroforestry systems often contain extrafloral-nectar-producing Inga spp. trees that serve several purposes. Recent studies suggest that they attract and arrest a diversity of natural enemies that contribute to the control of coffee pests. Mites from the Phytoseiid family are key natural enemies of coffee pest mites, but no study has investigated whether Inga extrafloral nectar increases the performance of predatory mites in coffee ecosystems. Thus, here, we assessed whether the extrafloral nectar of Inga edulis Mart. (Fabaceae) can be considered a suitable nutritional resource for the predatory mite Amblyseius herbicolus (Chant), one of the most abundant phytoseiids in coffee crops. We found that feeding on extrafloral nectar allows for development and survival, but not reproduction, of A. herbicolus. Whereas individuals that fed on a diet of nectar during their immature development could subsequently only oviposit after having fed on a pollen diet, individuals that had developed on pollen stopped ovipositing when fed nectar. Our findings suggest that interplanted Inga trees can help to conserve populations of predatory mites in crop ecosystems through the provision of nectar and may boost biological control services. Future research should investigate the effects of extrafloral nectar-producing trees on coffee pest control by these predatory mites., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethical approval: This study did not use animal species that require ethical approval., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Well characterized databases used for experimental purposes with extensive meta-data are essential for conducting meaningful and comparable studies. The Food-pics_extended database (Blechert et al., 2019) is one example for a widely used food stimulus database (original publication Blechert et al., 2014: 285 citations, and 2019: 32 citations). Indeed, meta-data on low level and high level image characteristics is broad, yet fiber ratings are not included, limiting its use in diet-related studies. Therefore, we developed fiber ratings per item (n = 562 stimuli), based on mean values of four non-expert raters. Ratings show good reliability (ICC = 0.77) and meaningful ranges per food type (mean fiber per 100 g by food type minbeverages = 0.04 ± 0.04 g and max Ready–to–eat savories = 4.49 ± 1.58). The newly provided fiber ratings enrich the already valuable database and extend it by an important nutrient value for human and planetary health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Well characterized databases used for experimental purposes with extensive meta-data are essential for conducting meaningful and comparable studies. The Food-pics_extended database (Blechert et al., 2019) is one example for a widely used food stimulus database (original publication Blechert et al., 2014: 285 citations, and 2019: 32 citations). Indeed, meta-data on low level and high level image characteristics is broad, yet fiber ratings are not included, limiting its use in diet-related studies. Therefore, we developed fiber ratings per item (n = 562 stimuli), based on mean values of four non-expert raters. Ratings show good reliability (ICC = 0.77) and meaningful ranges per food type (mean fiber per 100 g by food type minbeverages = 0.04 ± 0.04 g and maxReady–to–eatsavories = 4.49 ± 1.58). The newly provided fiber ratings enrich the already valuable database and extend it by an important nutrient value for human and planetary health.

A previous study failed to find evidence that dogs could use olfactory cues to discriminate between 1 and 5 hot dog slices presented on a single trial (Horowitz et al., Learning and Motivation, 44, 207–217, 2013). In the experiments reported here, multiple trials were used to test dogs' ability to use olfaction to choose one of two opaque containers under which a larger number of food items was placed. In Experiment 1, dogs chose between 1 and 5 hot dog slices. In Experiments 2 and 3, we examined dogs' ability to discriminate between numbers of hot dog slices that varied in the numerical distance and the ratio between the smaller and larger quantities. Experiment 4 explored olfactory discrimination between quantities of a different food, dog kibble. Experiments 1–3 all showed that dogs used olfactory stimuli to choose the larger number of hot dog slices, but Experiments 2 and 3 revealed no effects of distance or ratio between numerical quantities. In Experiment 4, dogs failed to discriminate between 1 and 5 pieces of dog kibble. Factors that allow dogs to use olfactory cues to discriminate between quantities are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the feeding habits and ingestion of anthropogenic debris in 34 marine fish species from the southern Gulf of Thailand. A total of 5478 fish samples of 12 families were categorised into seven groups: planktivore, Lucifer feeder, fish feeder, Acetes feeder, shrimp feeder, piscivore, and zoobenthivore fish. A total of 2477 anthropogenic debris items were extracted from 12 fish species by visual inspection. Their ingestion of anthropogenic debris was influenced by season (p < 0.0001), with the highest ingestion during the northeast monsoon season. Furthermore, planktivorous fish displayed more ingested anthropogenic debris than the other investigated species (p = 0.022). Blue-coloured anthropogenic debris was commonly detected in the stomachs of fish and significantly differed between species (p > 0.001). Water depth and season significantly influenced the availability of food types (AF) for fish (p < 0.001). These findings provide evidence of the ingestion of anthropogenic debris by fish inhabiting a natural bay and signal the future anthropogenic pollution of marine fish.

Hatching asynchrony in birds occurs when incubation commences prior to clutch completion and results in broods containing different aged and sized nestlings. The brood reduction hypothesis predicts that hatching asynchrony is a strategy that facilitates the partial success of brood, as feeding to old and large nestlings which results in adaptive brood reduction under periods of food shortage. Using stochastic simulation, we tested and specified the outcome of the brood reduction hypothesis with various provisioning variables of birds to investigate under what conditions the brood reduction effectively explains the evolution of hatching asynchrony. Asynchronous hatching can be productive as provisioning by parents is preferentially feeding to old nestlings when food is not sufficiently available, while it did not create substantial differences in the number of nestlings fledged when food was equally allocated to all nestlings. Secondly, in the case where food items are large and fewer deliveries are needed, asynchronous hatching becomes more favoured compared to smaller, more frequently delivered, food items. Also, when parents provision less food than was needed on bad days, hatching asynchrony became favoured even when the bad days occur infrequently. Different life traits of each bird can change the expectation of the brood reduction hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mass rearing of Corcyra cephalonica and Oryzaphilus surinamensis adults on six different types of foodstuffs namely, wheat germ, complete wheat flour, rice flour, corn flour, basbousa flour and wheat flour (zero) were evaluated. Our results obtained reveal that mean developmental period (MDP) of C. cephalonica and O .surinamensis from egg lay to emerge adult on different foodstuffs was ranged between 44.00 & 55.33 and 30.33 & 41.33 days, respectively. Longest MDP was occurred on corn flour and rice flour illustrating 55.33 and 41.33 days, resp. While, the shortest period reaching to 44.00 and 30.33 days on wheat germ. Wheat germ was recorded the maximum adult emergence (AE) % (25.33 and 69% progeny of C. cephalonica and O.surinamensis, resp.), While, wheat flour (zero) and basbousa flour were recorded the minimum AE %, 12.33 and 27.33%, respectively. C. cephalonica and O.surinamensis caused highest weight loss (WL) % on wheat germ and corn flour (31.88% 13.73%), while, corn and basbousa flours were recorded the minimum of WL % (11.43 and 4.05%) respectively., which the least preferred foodstuffs to C. cephalonica and O.surinamensis. In comparison between the growth index (GI) of different foodstuffs, our results showed that wheat germ was the most preferred by C. cephalonica and O.surinamensis, whereas, rice flour was the least preferred host. From results chemical analysis, there was a strong correlation between GI of C. cephalonica and O.surinamensis and chemical characters. This relationship was expected as a large carbohydrate, total protein, potassium and magnesium mounts. Our results provide suitable foodstuffs to mass rearing of C. cephalonica and O.surinamensis as the large scale production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd) is commonly detected in aquatic environment and can accumulate in maricultural organisms. Modification of the food may change the bio-kinetics of trace metals in organisms. The aim of this study was to understand the effects of food type on the uptake and elimination of Cd in different tissues of oyster Crassostrea gigas. Oyster groups feeding with different food types were exposed to 10 µg/L Cd for 28 days, and then followed by a depuration of 35 days. One group was added natural seawater rich in algae, the other three groups were fed once daily with Dicrateria inornata, Nitzschia closterium f.minutissima and mixed alga (Dicrateria inornata: Nitzschia closterium f.minutissima=1:1), respectively. Oysters were sampled for chemical analysis by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The mean concentrations of Cd among different oyster tissue were followed the order as: digestive gland > mantle > adductor muscle. A two-compartment model was used to estimate Cd uptake rates (k1), depuration rates (k2), bioconcentration factor (BCF), and half-lives (t1/2) in the three tissues, showing k1 was considerately higher than k2, therefore, the organism have high ability to accumulate Cd. The k1 in the digestive gland was the highest, followed by mantle and adductor muscle, while the k2 in the mantle was the lowest. In the present study, the group fed with mixed algae showed the fastest depuration rate and the shortest t1/2 in the important edible part of the oysters (digestive gland), which helps to improve food safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The microbiological hazards in Chinese infant and toddler food were reviewed. • B. cereus , Cronobacter , S. aureus , and Salmonella showed the highest prevalence. • The prevalence of Cronobacter is rising, while the prevalence of B. cereus is stably high. • The prevalence of B. cereus was high in Northern and Southern China. • The prevalence of Cronobacter was high in Central China. Infant and toddler food (ITF), including powdered infant and follow-up formula (PIFF) and complementary food (CF), provides the majority of early-life nutrients for young children. As infants and toddlers are more vulnerable to foodborne diseases, the safety concern of ITF is the ultimate priority. However, nationwide surveillance for the presence of hazards, specifically microbiological hazards, in the Chinese ITF is partially known, posing a significant knowledge gap for risk ranking. Most importantly, the related regional surveys were largely published in Chinese, making the data unavailable for global sharing. To bridge these gaps, we screened 5,306 publications and conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis for microbiological hazards using 129 qualified studies. The four most reported microbiological hazards in ITF were Bacillus cereus (13.4 %), Cronobacter (4.8 %), Staphylococcus aureus (1.3 %), and Salmonella (1.1 %). B. cereus is a risk factor in ITF, specifically in PIFF, cereals, and ready-to-eat food. The prevalence of B. cereus was high in Northern and Southern China, while the prevalence of Cronobacter was high in Central China. Cronobacter is a microbiological hazard, specifically in PIFF, with a prevalence of 3.0 %. Interestingly, the prevalence dynamics of Cronobacter and B. cereus in ITF were rising and stable, respectively, whereas the prevalence of S. aureus and Salmonella decreased over time. Together, our analysis will promote the global sharing of these critical findings and may guide future policy making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Haramaya is among the localities that considered as food insecure and poor consumption habit. The study was intended to investigate consumption habits and food patterns of Haramaya District. Data on available raw materials of food sources and the habit of consumption in four kebeles were collected. The result described that Sorghum and Maize are main cereal grains abandoned in the area and of total accessible cereals in the area, 65.6% of them are obtained from subsistent farming of own-land production and the remaining, 34.4%, from the market. Injera, Shumo, Genfo, Kita, Wot and Kolo are the main foods for consumption prepared from cereal grains. Among the legumes and pulses, Pea, Common Bean and Chickpea are the key food sources, but the majority (54.2%) consume rarely. Similarly, though a high quantity of fruit and vegetables are available, household consumption is not adequate and the same for meat and dairy products. Though sufficient distribution and availability of food sources exists, consumption habit is unbalanced due to poor diversified foods. The households entirely depend on cereal grains with minimal consumption of other food sources. Therefore, balanced food preparation and consumption education programs are needed to create awareness on diversified eating habit and its benefit. Hence, dissemination of proper food preparation, good eating habit and nutrition concepts within the community is vital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), some of which are classified as possible carcinogens (WHO), have been detected in cooking fumes in considerable amounts. Distribution of 24 PAHs on varying particle sizes was analyzed in cooking emission. Analysis of cooking fumes from vegetarian and non-vegetarian food was carried out separately in the kitchen of a hostel mess in IIT Kanpur during November 2012 and February 2013. Respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM) and particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PPAHs) showed a similar sequence regarding concentration observed in vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. PAHs with carcinogenic potential was detected and quantified mostly in the fine particles. Total PAH concentrations in the fine and ultrafine ranges together accounted for > 90% of the total carcinogenic PAHs, highlighting them as primary carriers of PAHs rather than coarser particles. Benzo [a] pyrene (B [a]P) levels contribute > 70% to total carcinogenic potential and > 60%, to mutagenic potential, respectively. The total toxicity impact on the workers due to the PAHs emitted from cooking fumes was 3.374 × 10−10 DALYs, with B [a] P contributing the most (> 70%) despite its low concentration. Exposure to cooking fumes especially for people involved in this activity on a daily basis (chefs, hostel mess workers, among others) raises health concerns. An extensive examination of impacts due to exposure to emissions in both particle and gas phase on a long-term basis is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on cue reactivity theory, food cues embedded in media content can lead to physiological and psychological responses in children. Research suggests that unhealthy food cues are represented more extensively and interactively in children's media environments than healthy ones. However, it is not clear to this date whether children react differently to unhealthy compared to healthy food cues. In an experimental study with 56 children (55.4% girls; M age  = 8.00, SD  = 1.58), we used eye-tracking to determine children's attention to unhealthy and healthy food cues embedded in a narrative cartoon movie. Besides varying the food type (i.e., healthy vs. unhealthy), we also manipulated the integration levels of food cues with characters (i.e., level of food integration; no interaction vs. handling vs. consumption), and we assessed children's individual susceptibility factors by measuring the impact of their hunger level. Our results indicated that unhealthy food cues attract children's visual attention to a larger extent than healthy cues. However, their initial visual interest did not differ between unhealthy and healthy food cues. Furthermore, an increase in the level of food integration led to an increase in visual attention. Our findings showed no moderating impact of hunger. We conclude that especially unhealthy food cues with an interactive connection trigger cue reactivity in children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Failing to initiate first feeding during the transition from endogenous nutrition to exogenous feeding will lead to starvation of fish larvae. However, little is known about the mechanism of first feeding selection of fish. Golden mandarin fish larvae (3 d after hatch, 2.05 ± 0.03 mg) were fed with four different foods for 7 d, including the following: M – Megalobrama amblycephala (prey fish larvae as natural food); S – surimi of M. amblycephala; A – Artemia (zooplankton); and MA –mixed M. amblycephala with Artemia (mixed food). Larvae fed with the mixed food achieved an appropriate balance between high survival and good growth through elevating the expression of growth genes (GH, IGF‐I, and IGF‐II) and fatty acid synthesis genes (FAD and ELO). Growth performance of fish fed with MA reared at different salinities (0, 5, and 10 ppt) was examined. The salinity of 5 ppt produced the best growth performance of the three salinity levels tested. Fish larvae adapted to high‐ or low‐salinity environments through increasing the expression of lipolysis genes (HSL, LPL, and HL). Therefore, both food type and salinity affect the growth, survival, and lipometabolism of golden mandarin fish larvae during initial feeding stage, and mixed food and 5 ppt salinity improved its survival and growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research is to examine how the moderating effects of health knowledge (inactive vs. active) and advertising’s entertainment level (high vs. low) affect children’s response to advertising’s food content (unhealthy vs. healthy). First, a primary study using the qualitative method was conducted with the purpose of identifying healthy and unhealthy food options based on culture, eating habits, nutritional value and the access of Iranian children to each option so that they could be displayed in TV advertising, advergames and questionnaires. Then, a 2 × 2 × 2 full-factorial, randomized, mixed-effects experimental design was used to test the research framework. 330 students (aged 6-11) participated in the study. The findings revealed that children tended to choose more unhealthy foods after exposure to unhealthy food advertising. This effect was greater for a higher level of entertainment, and was successfully moderated by the activation of health knowledge. It was concluded that embedding health messages in advertising (included TV advertising and advergames) help retrieving children’s health knowledge and therefore, choosing less unhealthy food by them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the popular use of cuteness in product designs, especially for foods, little is known about how cuteness influences consumption. This article contributes to the evolving stream of research on cuteness by designing two experiments based on the compatibility principle to examine the contextual factors that moderate the effect of cuteness on food consumption (i.e., food type and consumption motivation). We found that cute food induced more consumption when the food is perceived as vice or under hedonic motivation, whereas neutral food induced more consumption when the food is perceived as virtue or under utilitarian motivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food companies that choose to differentiate themselves by marketing their products as organic assume that the organic label tells consumers that the food is healthy. This research examines whether the organic label on a food product always increases consumer consumption of that product. Two moderators are considered: food type (virtue vs. vice) and consumer differences in health locus-of-control (HLOC) (externals vs. internals). Study 1 indicates that an organic label enhances consumers’ intention to consume vice food, but eliminates their intention to consume virtue food. Study 2 suggests that the joint effect of the organic label and food type differs for externals and internals. The results for externals are consistent with those in Study 1: an organic label increases vice food intake but reduces virtue food intake. Different results are observed for the food intake of people with an internal HLOC: an organic label actually eliminates vice food intake but has no effect on the intake of virtue food. These results show that an organic label can either increase or decrease food consumption depending on food type and HLOC, simultaneously. The findings provide managerial implications for food companies and public policy makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study uses media reports to analyze food safety incidents in South Korea that occurred between January 1998 and March 2016. The total number of incidents during this period was 975, with an average of 51.3 per year and 4.3 per month. The top five types of food involved were fruits and vegetables, fish and fish products, meat and meat products, beverages, and confectionery. Of the 975 incidents, 406 (41.6%) were related to chemical hazards—such as food additives and pesticides—221 (22.7%) were due to biological hazards, and 199 (20.4%) were due to physical hazards. Through analysis, this study determines at what stage a breakdown in food safety is likely to occur: primary production is the most common stage with 615 (63.1%) incidents, followed by incidents during the handling and distribution stages, at 240 (24.6%) and 65 (6.7%), respectively. The results of this study can be used as data for risk analysis or food safety strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parent birds show a continuous spectrum of breeding strategies, ranging from a low-fecundity and high-survival pattern to a high-fecundity, low-survival pattern. Investigations of parental breeding strategies under variable environmental conditions can illustrate how parents trade-off the benefits and costs of these two extreme strategies. White-collared Blackbirds Turdus albocinctus can breed twice a year on the Tibetan Plateau. We show that both life-history traits and parental feeding behaviour differ between these two breeding attempts. In the first attempt, the birds produced small clutches and fledged a small number of nestlings of high body condition. In the second attempt, they produced larger clutches and fledged more nestlings of lower body condition. Males made greater contributions to brood provisioning compared with females in the first attempt but there was no sex difference in brood provisioning in the second attempt. In the first attempt, producing smaller clutches can shorten the nestling period, and the increased male contribution to brood provisioning can protect the energy reserves of females. Thus, females can begin a second attempt sooner and produce larger clutches. During the second nesting attempt, when conditions are warmer and wetter, parents rely on a broader array of food types (both invertebrates and plant material, primarily berries) than during the first attempt, which includes only animal food such as arthropods and annelids. We suggest that this difference in breeding strategies between nesting attempts and sexes is in part influenced by marked seasonal variation in food availability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Specific dynamic action (SDA), the energy expended on all physiological processes that is associated with meal digestion and absorption, is strongly affected by food type. Effects of formulated diet (FMD), macroalgae (ALG) and sea mud (SMD) diets on the postprandial metabolic response of the green type and the red type of sea cucumber ( Apostichopus japonicus) were studied in order to understand their feeding physiology. Food offered to A. japonicus was different in protein, lipid content and energy but not in meal mass. SDA of A. japonicus resulted in a 1.3-2.7 folds of increase in oxygen consumption that can persist for up to 4.8-31.7 h after digesting three different diets. In a given type of sea cucumber, the magnitude of SDA was the highest when fed with FMD, medium with ALG, and the lowest with SMD, which is probably due to the differences in diet components and protein contents. The red type sea cucumber showed greater SDA magnitude than the green type with each diet treatment, which might result from the difference in factorial scope between the two types of sea cucumber. However, the smallest magnitude or even no difference was observed between the two types of A. japonicus in SMD group, perhaps owing to the poor nutrition and digestion of sea mud. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competitive interactions between coexisting Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus have been implied as a crucial factor shaping life history traits and population characteristics. The overlap in resource requirements and similarities in the life history strategies of the two Aedes mosquitoes form a basis for competitive interactions. In the present study, the role of the food quality of the larval habitats in influencing the outcome of competition between Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus is evaluated to highlight food quality as a basis for asymmetric competitive outcomes. Instar I larvae of the two mosquitoes were reared using conspecifics or heterospecifics of constant size and equal ratio with four different food types: boiled rice, boiled pulses, a mixture of boiled rice and pulses, and fish food. Competitive interactions were evaluated using age at pupation (AP), pupal weight (PW), dry adult weight (AW) and wing length (WL) with respect to intra- and interspecific competition for the two sexes of each mosquito species. The results show that Ae. albopictus developed faster but achieved a smaller size compared to Ae. aegypti under interspecific competition conditions, the extent of the difference varying significantly with the food type. Given the variety of food resources available in the small container larval habitats, the results of the study imply that food quality may act differentially with respect to larval development and adult body size, depending on the conspecifics or heterospecifics and on the sex of the species concerned. The dominance of one species over the other may also be a consequence of the resource utilization pattern that varies in the larval habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of monetary reward amount and test food type as factors of triangle test accuracy and assessment time for untrained panelists was explored. Monetary compensation is commonly used to reward panelists for their time and effort. While studies have documented that paying panelists can influence hedonic ratings, research on its possible influence on triangle test accuracy or time to assess products is lacking. Relatedly, some studies suggest that assessment time influences accuracy. Furthermore, little research has been conducted on the effect of the test food itself, and its general likeability, on biasing panelist accuracy or assessment time. Pairs of two liked foods – chocolate chip cookies and cheddar cheese, and two not-as-liked-foods – green olives and lima beans, were tested. In addition to correlating the two response variables with the main effects, interactions of overall expected hedonic liking of the test foods, panelist age, gender, time of day of the test, and day of the week the test were analyzed. Results indicate monetary compensation amount did not influence panelist accuracy or assessment time. However, accuracy increased significantly with longer assessment times; the effect of the “liked” vs. “not-as-well-liked” food categorizations were inconclusive. Expected hedonic liking, gender, age, and time of day of the test, were significant, suggesting that test accuracy and assessment time are likely influenced by multiple intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Overall results suggest that the use of broad demographics of untrained consumers for triangle tests results in data not consistently or strongly biased by payment amount or food type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frying oil quality is immensely affected by frying frequency, type of food and oil used for frying. The main aim of this study was to investigate the impact of food type (fish, chicken, potato and peas), oil type (soyabean and mustard oil) and frying frequency on the trans-fatty acid (TFA) formation in both deep-fried oils and the foods fried in these oils. Increase in frying-time leads to an increased TFA content with trans18:1 in higher concentration (0.87–2.41%) followed by trans18:3 (0.38–1.70%) and trans18:2 (0.22–1.37%) with trans18:2 formed at a higher rate comparatively. Highest TFA was accumulated in soyabean-oil used for frying fat rich food followed by protein, carbohydrate (CHO) and vegetable-based foods as compared to mustard oil-based foods. Total TFA in soyabean-oil used for frying fish after 25th hour was 5.48% and the TFA content retained in fried fish after 50 frying cycles was 3.98%. TFA content increased 2.56, 2.98, 3.29-folds and 2.38, 2.70 and 3.15-fold for one, two and three frying per half hour while frying fish-fillets in soyabean and mustard oil respectively. Oxidative stability and TFA formation were found to have a direct correlation and soyabean oil used for frying fat rich group shows higher degradation compared to mustard oil in terms of acid value, peroxide value, TBARS value and p-anisidine value. Thus, proximate composition of a food and fatty acid composition of an oil plays a key role in the formation of TFA during deep frying. • Effect of frying frequency, food type and oil type on TFA formation was investigated. • Thermal oxidative stability follows this order: vegetable>potato>chicken>fish. • Soyabean oil used for frying fish displays lowest thermal stability and highest TFA. • Formation of TFA coincides with that of lipid oxidation. • Rapid exchange of fats take place between the frying oil and frying food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report describes two cases of rectal prolapse in wild anubis baboons (Papio anubis), with one spontaneous resolution. Both occurred after individuals consumed low‐water, high‐fibre dried maize during provisioning prior to capture, while one also experienced distress during capture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]