It appears that consumers are reaching for refrigerated and shelf-stable products like prepared salads, boxed dinners, value-added meat, poultry and produce, lunch and snack kits. Instant food offers convenience, taste, variety and appeal to the target consumers. Concerns over the use of preservatives, artificial colors and soda in instant food, other health concerns and the price tag dominate while making purchase decisions.
In a country like India, the diverse local taste preferences pose a big problem in producing food products which can have a larger acceptance and hence a bigger market potential. But there are some food categories and types which have universal acceptance. These common food categories like noodles, sauce, ketchup, soup varieties, sweets, pickles and other dry food have found a place in the monthly grocery lists of modern women.
Concerns over the use of preservatives, artificial colors and soda in instant food, other health concerns and the price tag dominate while making purchase decisions. A good number of multinational companies like HLL, Nestlé and Cadbury have entered the instant food market in a big way.
However, in India, the instant food industry has just emerged. A survey was conducted to study such concerns and other positive perceptions that dominate the consumers' minds while purchasing instant food. Though many new instant food recipes are being introduced in the Indian market, not all are successful. The survey provided insights into the concerns that need to be addressed and the positive aspects of instant food that appealed to consumers. |
