Processed Foods In Lieu Of Fruits and Vegetables - A South Indian Perspective

Abstract

Fruits and vegetables play a significant role in the South Indian diet. Some of the fruits and vegetables are considered to relate to the culture and tradition of South India, especially Tamilnadu. In India, Tamilnadu plays a major role in fruit production such as bananas, guavas, and mangoes. It also secures a significant place in vegetable production and export to the nearby states of India. But in the context of changing the diet and food habits of south India, they prefer and consume agro-processed food products for various reasons. This research has been a study of the consumers who are going to prefer processed foods over fresh fruits and vegetables in South India. The survey has been conducted among the consumers of supermarkets, hypermarkets, grocery shops, and online shops from the cities of Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, and Tiruchirapalli. The researcher has classified the food products on the basis of the NOVA classification of foods. It derives from the factors influencing consumers to prefer processed food products. Finally, the age and gender of the respondents have some relationship with making the decision to use processed foods.