Compliance and Consumer Acceptability of Multiple Fortified Stock Powder

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Determination of stock powder as a suitable vehicle for fortification (pilot study): This was the pilot study of a larger project in which the suitability of stock cube and stock powder as possible vehicle for fortification was determined.

To determine the suitability of stock powder as a vehicle for fortification, a questionnaire was developed, validated and sent out to 802 respondents (n-802). The data in the questionnaire include the amount of stock cube and stock powder consumed in a week, when and how the stock powder is used and the choice of flavours of stock cubes and stock powders that are frequently used. The sample was randomly selected in hypermarkets, townships, towns and institutions in the Vaal Triangle area in South Africa. The survey population comprised males and females of 15 years or older. Questionnaires were completed each week for four weeks and the answers compared. Based on the results the questionnaire was accepted to be reliable and valid as in both tests correlation of 90% was found.

Methods used to determine the compliance and acceptability of the multiple fortified stock powder
Packaging and distribution of stock powder: The development of multiple fortified stock powder is as follows:

The mixing was done in a large stainless steel dough mixer and was covered with aluminium foil in order to prevent exposure to light and the consequent biochemical and biological deterioration of the micronutrients. The mixer was also covered so as to prevent contamination and to prevent the destruction of micronutrients through oxidation. A mixing period of thirty minutes was adhered to so as to ensure an even distribution of fortificants in the stock powder. The mixing process was well controlled so as to ensure a homogenous mixture. The powder was later subjected to a nutrient-concentration analysis in a laboratory.

Table 1:	Vitamin and mineral concentration in fortified stock powder

The multiple fortified stock powders, as well as the unfortified stock powder, was packed in rigid 400 mL styrene curry tube containers of eight cm high and 12 cm in diameter. The containers were also provided with lids to prevent dust and dirt from contaminating the powder. The containers were coloured dark-grey to prevent the destruction of light-sensitive micronutrients such as vitamin A. The tightly covered containers contained 300 g of stock powder. Five milligram plastic spoons were provided for measuring purposes.

Code numbers representing fortified (Experimental) and unfortified (Control) powder, were written on the lids of the containers. The coding was single-blinded. Only the researcher knew the codes.

The stock powders were arranged in boxes and distributed to respondents at their workplaces. Distribution lasted for two days. Distribution of powders was repeated after 14 days in the same manner, so that respondents would be able to use the powder for a long period before answering any question about it. The multiple fortified stock powder was used for 6 weeks.

Instructions on how to use the fortified and unfortified stock powder is as follows: One level spoon full of the given powder was added to two teacups of boiling water, which was part of the liquid used in cooking the food. This was stirred very well until dissolved and then added to the stew, porridge or soup that was being prepared and allowed to boil for thirty minutes.

Recruitment of respondents: Recruitment of respondents was done at their work place after permission for the execution of the study during working hours had been granted. To motivate respondents to participate in the study, the purpose was explained. Volunteers who met the inclusion criteria were allowed to participate.

Thirty members were selected randomly and were assigned as experimental group for the use of the fortified stock powder; the other thirty were assigned to the control group for the use of the unfortified stock powder. The sample size was drawn from workers at the Vaal Triangle Technikon. These were black females aged between 27 and 50 years and that means all respondents who fell within the context of this study were in their reproductive age and were capable of giving birth.

Compliance and acceptability questionnaire: To determine the compliance and acceptability of the given stock powder, questionnaires were handed out to all the respondents (n = 60) for them to complete on their own. Among the questionnaire items were: age, occupation, language, education level and area of residence. The questionnaire also sought response on colour, smell, taste and after taste of the given stock powder. Visits and follow-ups at respondents’ work places were conducted to find out if respondents used the given stock powder.

RESULTS

The results of the questionnaire on the pilot study indicated that 97% of respondents used stock cubes and 21% preferred stock powder.

Respondents used various flavours of stock powder and stock cubes, with chicken being the most popular. This indicate that stock powder and stock cube is consumed by a sizeable proportion of the population and it is the right vehicle to select for fortification. as shown in Fig. 1.

Again, the results on the daily consumption of stock cubes and stock powder revealed that 79% of respondents used stock cubes and stock powder daily and 21% weekly.

Results of the acceptability questionnaire: Data obtained from the empirical study, were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS@) version 10.1. Chi-square test was used to determine the significant differences between the Experimental and Control Groups. The statistically significant level was taken at P~0.05.

Age of respondents: On average, the age of respondents in the study was (39.95±5.79 years). Seventy-nine percent (44) were above the age of 35, indicating a risk age for pregnancy (Haadsma, 2009) and 21% (12) were below 35 years (Fig. 2) (Kruger et al., 2005).

Occupation: Eighty-four percent (47) of the respondents were doing physical environmental sanitation work such as floor and room cleaning and only 16% (9) were sedentary workers, as shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 1:	Flavour popularity of stock cube or stock powder

Fig. 2:	Respondents age distribution (n = 56)

Fig. 3:	Occupation of respondents (n = 56)

All respondents were Vaal Triangle Technikon employees. This kind of work implies that the respondents relied on low-income work for a living.

Language: The language spoken by 79% (44) of the women was South Sotho, 5% (3) spoke Xhosa and Tswana, 4% (2) spoke North Sotho and 7% (4) spoke other languages. Table 2 shows the different languages spoken by the respondents. This indicates that South Sotho is the language most widely spoken and understood by the black community in the Vaal Triangle Metropolitan Area.

Area of residence: Most respondents, 87% (49), lived in the surrounding townships of the Vaal Triangle area, namely Sebokeng and Sharpeville. Approximately 9% (5) lived in the hostels provided by the employers and only 2% (1) lived in informal settlements and farms as shown in Fig. 4.

Education level: Respondents reported a reasonable level of education. Figure 5 present the education level attained by the respondents.

Fig. 4:	Area of residence

Fig. 5:	Educational level

Table 2:	Language of respondents (n = 56)

Fifty nine percent (33) attained high school education, 20% (11) had primary school education, 9% (5) had a technikon education, 7% (4) attained college education and 5% (3) had never attended school. This implies that the respondents' literacy level was adequate for their active participation in the study.

Responses on the acceptability of the multiple fortified stock powder and the unfortified stock powder.

Responses to change of colour of food after cooking: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of change of colour of food after cooking (p = 0.121). Table 3 indicates that 72% (21) of respondents in the fortified group, did not detect any colour change in their cooked food and 89% (24) of respondents in the unfortified group also did not detect any colour change.

Table 3:	Responses on acceptability of the multiple fortified stock powder and the unfortified stock powder

Only 28% (8) of the respondents in the fortified group and 11% (3) of respondents in the unfortified group detected a change of colour in their food after having cooked with the powder.

Smell of stock powder: There was no significant statistical difference in responses of respondents regarding smell of the powder (p = 0.136). No smell was detected in the fortified stock powder.

Responses to medicinal taste in food: There was no statistical difference between the groups in terms of medicinal taste detected in the food prepared with the multiple fortified stock powder (p = 0.596), as shown in Table 3 although the unfortified groups scores were lower than that of the fortified group. This shows that a few respondents in the fortified group who are highly sensitive to taste, may have detected the change of taste in their food.

Responses to after-taste: Very little difference was found between the different powders in terms of after- taste (p = 0.580), as seen in Table 3. The difference was not statistically significant, that is, no objectionable taste was detected after swallowing the food prepared with the multiple fortified stock powder. However, 19% (5) of the respondents in the unfortified group surprisingly detected some after-taste in their food as compared to 14%( 4) in the fortified group, but these were not significant statistical difference.

DISCUSSION

From the findings, the age range of the respondents was 27-50 years, indicating that all respondents fell within the category of women of reproductive age. Women of this age group are among the high risk groups for micronutrient deficiency. For instance Darnton-Hill et al., (2005) reported that among groups of people with lower iron and vitamin A intake are young children, adolescent girls and women. Hughes (2006) also estimated that 43% of all women worldwide are anaemic. Under apartheid policies, black people were reduced to a state of abject poverty, which affected the health and welfare of many women and their children. The selection of category of women for the micronutrient food fortification intervention was informed by the knowledge that the nutritional status of a woman in her reproductive years could affect not only her offspring but also succeeding generations. It is prudent therefore for the women to understand the implications for themselves and their families if they make poor nutritional choices. Ensuring optimal nutrition throughout the child bearing years through acceptability of multiple fortified stock powder may prove to be a critical step towards improving delivery complications of the women. Again, acceptability and compliance of the multiple fortified stock powder by these women therefore will spread the health message and reduce the incidence of micronutrient deficiencies in the young child and the population at large.

Again, responses in Figure 3 show that majority of the respondents were doing physical environmental sanitation jobs (blue collar ) (84%). This implies that the women in their reproductive age used in this study are in low income jobs which possibly reduced their purchasing power and could have led to their indulgence in junk food and thus probably may have prevented a variety of foods to be eaten, including micronutrient rich foods. Indeed, literature surveyed indicates that factors which could influence the ability of an individual to acquire and utilize nutrients include income and purchasing power and health status (Labadarious et al., 2005). Also, the findings showed that 88% of the women reside in townships (Fig. 4). This can indicate a sign of maternal poverty and vulnerability to under nutrition, poor shelter and government health services which are of poor quality even when available (Garrib et al., 2006). The literature survey shows that majority of South African households live in poverty, with less food, (mainly staples) available in the home (Mostert et al., 2005). An intervention in the form of the compliance and acceptability of multiple fortified stock powder is therefore of relevance to preventing micronutrient deficiencies.

No research studies could be found in the literature on compliance and acceptability to multiple fortified stock powder. The appearace, taste and aroma of multiple fortified stock powder were evaluated to assess consumer compliance and acceptability. People do not eat what was not appealing (Koster, 2009). Literature studied shows that visual attributes play an important role in consumer’s acceptance of food.

Respondents positive attitude towards the powder indicate that there was no organoleptic changes to the fortified stock powder. This quality accounts for the acceptability. The findings also indicate that respondents exposure to and their prior knowledge of stock powder might have contributed to the compliance and acceptability of the product. This is so because respondents in the fortified group and all the respondents in the unfortified group were already consuming stock powder at home. This is confirmed in literature which stated that a commonly used vehicle is needed in order to increase compliance and acceptability of a new product. Ismail (2006) also confirm that compliance behavior depends on beliefs and attitude. Previous studies done on respondents’ acceptability of fortified cassava flour, which was their staple food, with groups of pregnant and lactating mothers found that cassava flour was acceptable (Faber, 2005). Finally, the findings suggest that foods prepared with multiple fortified stock powder are generally comparable in acceptability to food prepared with ordinary stock powder. There is no significant statistical difference. The reason for the acceptability may be that the characteristics of the food prepared do not appear significantly changed by the stock powder (Arvola et al., 2008).

CONCLUSIONS

Micronutrient food fortification is effective when it is acceptable to the respondents and they comply with the use thereof.

The findings proposes that a common vehicle to carry the nutrients must be identified The pilot study shows that stock cube and stock powder were popular condiments that are consumed in constant quantities by a large proportion of families without segregation of the socio-economic status in the Vaal Triangle area.

Consumer compliance and acceptability should precede all future micronutrient fortification programmes. Micronutrient food fortification is very important and must be sustained. Multiple fortified stock powder is recommended as a potential functional food at medium and large industry because respondents complied with and accepted the stock powder.

Multiple fortified stock powder was accepted in terms of colour, taste and overall acceptability showing the impact of fortification of foods that are commonly consumed.

The respondents could not differentiate between the fortified and the unfortified products.

Micronutrient food fortification is very important and must be sustained: The food industries in South Africa in conjunction with all relevant role players can expand micronutrient food fortification towards attaining a sustainable and long-term solution to micronutrient deficiency.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

My sincere appreciation is towards my husband, Professor R. Darko for allowing me to avail myself of the opportunity to study in the republic of South Africa and his great support throughout the study. Secondly, my supervisor, Mrs. Dicks, for her guidance, direction and suggestions. Again, I am indebted to Professor S. Sumar and Dr. W. Oldewage-Theron for their tremendous input and final comments on this work, not forgetting Dr. Z. Chen, who initiated the large project (the development of Fortification Technology in cooperation with Roche), from which this study was initiated. My thanks go also to Roche Products (PTY) Ltd for the supply of premixes used for the fortification.