Visual acceptability and consumer purchase intent of enhanced pork loin roasts

Pork loins were pumped to 0, 6, 12 or 18% over initial weight (0.4% sodium tripolyphosphate, 0.4% sodium chloride), and vacuum-packaged. In retail supermarkets, consumers (n = 196) evaluated acceptability of color, purge in the package, texture appearance, overall appearance acceptability, and purchase intent. Seventy percent of these consumers were 26 to 55 years of age; 70% were female; 70% consumed pork at least twice per month, usually at home (> 88%). More than 36% of the consumers would purchase "enhanced" pork, but expressed concern about ingredients on the label: phosphate (60%), salt (74%), and water (26%). Based on visual evaluation, 57% of the consumers "probably" or "definitely would buy" the unpumped product. The percentage of consumers rating loins in the higher two purchase intent categories decreased as pump level increased from 57% for 0% pump to 46% for 18% pump. Percentages of the ratings falling in the higher two categories for acceptability of liquid in the package decreased from 58% for 0% pump to 42% for 6% pump, and < 37% for 12% and 18% pump.