De-risking product innovation: Using a programmable vending machine to evaluate responses to food in large cohorts and over long periods

Other investigators

To be announced

Description

Learning as a key driver of food and flavour acceptance. However, this topic is difficult to study because tracking changes in the acceptability of a food is costly. In response to this challenge, researchers at the University of Bristol have developed a programmable vending machine. Because the vending machine can be placed in a public space, larger samples can be recruited over longer periods (months rather than weeks). Working with our industry partner, Modern Baker, we will see if the research vending machine can offer a way to monitor food preference over time. We will also explore consumer responses to a fibre-enriched product, provided by Modern Baker. Products of this kind are critical because they have the potential to deliver population-level healthy nutrition in an affordable form. During this 6-month project, ~100 participants will access the vending machine 2-4 times a week. Half will receive the fibre-enriched product and half will receive a control version. After receiving their test food, they will use their mobile phone to evaluate the product. In the longer term, we plan to develop our methods further, with support from a Feasibility or a Diet and Health Early Stage Innovate UK Award.

Project keywords

(1) Dietary learning (2) Fibre (3) Methods (4) Consumer behaviour

Outputs

To be announced

Email contact

Jeff.Brunstrom@Bristol.ac.uk