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How to understand the complexity of product quality and the challenges in differentiating between organically and conventionally grown products – exemplified by fresh and heat-processed carrots (Daucus carota L.)

Seljåsen, Randi; Kristensen, Hanne Lakkenborg; Kretzschmar, Ursula; Birlouez, I; Paoletti, F; Lauridsen, Charlotte; Wyss, Gabriela S.; Busscher, Nicolaas; Mengheri, Elena; Sinesio, F.; Zanoli, Raffaele; Vairo, Daniela; Beck, Alexander and Kahl, J. (2016) How to understand the complexity of product quality and the challenges in differentiating between organically and conventionally grown products – exemplified by fresh and heat-processed carrots (Daucus carota L.). Organic Agriculture, 6, pp. 31-47.

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Summary

Quality traits are highly focused upon in the marketing of organic food products. There is a need to define and measure quality as consumers seem to have preconceived notions about the superior health value and taste of organic compared to non-organic products. A commonly held opinion among many consumer groups is that organic farming guarantees optimum quality, despite the fact that this remains unproven. The aim of this paper is to contribute to a better understanding of the complexity of quality traits in a plant-based food product, using carrots as an example. Selected designated quality aspects are presented to describe the complexity of quality and discuss the challenges of using these aspects in differentiating between organic and conventional products. The paper concludes we have insufficient tools to be able to adequately authenticate organically produced carrots. The same may be the case for most vegetables and fruit products. Suggestions for further studies include the soil and location aspect (terroir), in order to trace a product back to its origin in an organically or conventionally farmed field by finding a unique fingerprint for chemical constituents of samples.


EPrint Type:Journal paper
Keywords:Carrot, Daucus carota L., Quality criteria, Health, Food safety, Organic, Farming system
Subjects: Food systems > Food security, food quality and human health
Soil
Crop husbandry > Production systems > Vegetables
Crop husbandry > Production systems > Root crops
Research affiliation: European Union > CORE Organic > QACCP
Denmark > AU - Aarhus University > Faculty of Science and Technology
ISSN:1879-4238
DOI:DOI 10.1007/s13165-015-0112-8
Deposited By: Kristensen, Ph.D. Hanne Lakkenborg
ID Code:32020
Deposited On:04 Sep 2017 11:12
Last Modified:04 Sep 2017 11:12
Document Language:English
Status:Published
Refereed:Peer-reviewed and accepted

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