Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: August | Volume: 9 | Issue: 8 | Pages: 399-405
A Comparative Study on Consumer Perception towards Packaged Spices among Rural and Urban Women
Jyoti Chandila1, Divya Puri2
1Student, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Applied Science, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, Faridabad, Haryana.
2Assistant Professor, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Applied Science, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, Faridabad, Haryana
Corresponding Author: Divya Puri
ABSTRACT
The comparative study related to packaged and unpackaged spices was carried to identify the commonly used spices at household level and to evaluate the knowledge and perception about packaged and unpackaged spices among rural and urban women. Viewpoints of urban and rural women over packaged spices were totally different. A proper questionnaire with the help of survey method was carried out to collect information from 100 household women, 50 rural and 50 urban respondents of different areas of Faridabad. The study found that 64 % rural and 14 % urban women preferred unpackaged spices. Whereas 36 % rural and 86 % urban women preferred packaged spices. Results showed that rural women mostly preferred unpackaged spices and urban women mostly preferred packaged spices. Adulteration test of turmeric, cumin, coriander, black pepper and red chili powder indicated that adulteration mostly occurred in unpackaged spices and adulteration was mainly in the form of dust, dirt and synthetic colors. Results indicated that rural women have limited knowledge about spice adulteration. As compared to rural, urban women held positive attitude towards spice adulteration. The finding indicated that only the educated women in rural areas of Faridabad showed interest regarding packaged spices, because they did not contain any insecticides, toxins, chemicals and pesticides. This research helped in creating an instinct among women population for the usage of safe and wholesome packaged spices.
Key words: Spices, packaged spices/unpackaged spices, adulteration etc.