A Systematic Review of Trans Fat Reduction Initiatives in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

High intakes of trans fatty acids (TFA), particularly industrially-produced TFA, are implicated in the etiology of cardiovascular diseases, which represent the leading cause of mortality in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). This systematic review aims to document existing national TFA reduction strategies in the EMR, providing an overview of initiatives that are implemented by countries of the region, and tracking progress toward the elimination of industrially-produced TFA. A systematic review of published and gray literature was conducted using a predefined search strategy. A total of 136 peer-reviewed articles, gray literature documents, websites and references from country contacts were obtained, up until 2 August 2021. Randomized-control trials, case-control studies, and studies targeting unhealthy population groups were excluded. Only articles published after 1995, in English, Arabic or French, were included. Key characteristics of strategies were extracted and classified according to a pre-developed framework, which includes TFA intake assessment; determination of TFA levels in foods; strategic approach; implementation strategies (TFA bans/limits; consumer education, labeling, interventions in public institution settings, taxation), as well as monitoring and evaluation of program impact. Thirteen out of the 22 countries of the EMR (59%) have estimated TFA intake levels, 9 have determined TFA levels in foods (41%), and 14 (63.6%) have national TFA reduction initiatives. These initiatives were mainly led by governments, or by national multi-sectoral committees. The most common TFA reduction initiatives were based on TFA limits or bans (14/14 countries), with a mandatory approach being adopted by 8 countries (Bahrain, Iran, Jordan, KSA, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman and Palestine). Complementary approaches were implemented in several countries, including consumer education (10/14), food labeling (9/14) and interventions in specific settings (7/14). Monitoring activities were conducted by few countries (5/14), and impact evaluations were identified in only Iran and the UAE. The robustness of the studies, in terms of methodology and quality of assessment, as well as the lack of sufficient data in the EMR, remain a limitation that needs to be highlighted. Further action is needed to initiate TFA reduction programs in countries that are lagging behind, and to ensure rigorous implementation and evaluation of ongoing programs.

Design of the reverse channel for the third-party remanufacturing considering consumer education

D ifferent stakeholders pay more attention to consumer education for remanufacturing. They expect to promote the advancement of the remanufacturing industry by increasing the number of consumers willing to pay for remanufactured products. In the context of consumer education, this paper investigates the influence of different collection and remanufacturing capabilities on the reverse channel designs. The results show that increased consumer education makes the OEM partially forgo the remanufacturing right and more focus on the control of the collection process of reverse channels. We further explore the impact of consumer education on different stakeholders. We find that consumer education significantly improves individual profits and supply chain profit. However, for consumers, the temperate consumer education is all-around desirable, and excessive consumer education will reduce consumer surplus. For the environment, only when the environmental friendliness of RPs is relatively high, improving consumer education will reduce the environmental impact. Furthermore, we also examine the reverse channel designs from multiple criteria and discover that profitability, consumers, and environmental goals can be consistent under certain conditions. Our study provides new insights for the design of reverse channels in the context of consumer education.

Analysis of Rice Consumer Loyalty in Pekanbaru City

This study aims to determine the loyalty of consumers who buy rice in Pekanbaru City. The method used is the survey method for households in Pekanbaru City, which consists of 12 Districts which are divided proportionally based on BPS data in 2020. The sample in this study is 240 households, based on the field survey results obtained for consumer characteristics are at 84.00% of the productive age ranges from 15 - 35 years old. For educational characteristics, 63.41% of undergraduate consumer education (S1) covers various fields of science. Then for the characteristics of income, it is found that as much as 6.92% of consumer income is 2,888,564 or equivalent to MSEs. Whereas for the type of work obtained as many as 57.4% have a livelihood / job as private employees. Meanwhile, the results of the analysis of consumer loyalty are not yet at the level of loyal buyers because the loyalty pyramid value of Switcher buyers is still above 50% and the value of committed buyers is still very small, namely 26.67%. The level of loyalty of rice consumers in the city of Pekanbaru is not yet at the level of loyal buyers because in the loyalty pyramid the value of Switcher buyers is still above 63%, which is 56.61% with the frequent category and the committed buyer value is also very small, namely 49.72% with the non-category. like, for the value of Liking The Brand and Satisfied Buyer, which is 100% with the very satisfied category. And the Habitual Buyer value is 96.66% with the category agree.

Investigating how consumer education and lifestyle influence the consumer empowerment: case in rural and urban areas, Indonesia

This study aimed to analyze the difference of consumer education, lifestyle, and consumer empowerment in rural and urban areas, and to analyze the effect of consumer education and lifestyle on the consumer empowerment. This research used a cross-sectional design study with 120 housewives as the sample selected purposively. Data were analyzed using independent sample t-test, Mann-Whitney, and multiple linear regressions. There were significant differences (p<0.01) in consumer education, fulfilled lifestyle, believer lifestyle, and consumer empowerment index between the two regions, where the urban area scores were higher compared to the rural area. Consumer education and length of education affected positively and significantly (p<0.01) on the consumer empowerment index, while the lifestyle did not significantly affect the consumer empowerment index. The higher intensity of consumer education and higher education levels will increase the consumer empowerment index.

Consumer Empowerment in Transportation Sector

Awareness of rights and obligations as a consumer became one of the problems faced by consumers. One way to increase consumer awareness is to provide access to consumer education through media used by consumers. This article aimed to identify and analyze the effect of socio-demographic characteristics and consumer education media toward consumer empowerment on public transportation. This research used a cross-sectional study through an online survey of 100 users of public transportation. Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis. The results showed that the consumer empowerment index is 44.56 and categorized as capable level. Also, female, early-aged adults (18 - 40 years), high education, employee, income range from IDR 2 000 000 to IDR 3 000 000 per capita per month, and an urban area were the most empowered consumers. In addition, employment status and media of consumer education positively and significantly influenced consumer empowerment.

Analysis of Rice Consumer Loyalty in Pekanbaru City

This study aims to determine the loyalty of consumers who buy rice in Pekanbaru City. The method used is the survey method for households in Pekanbaru City, which consists of 12 Districts which are divided proportionally based on BPS data in 2020. The sample in this study is 240 households, based on the field survey results obtained for consumer characteristics are at 84.00% of the productive age ranges from 15 - 35 years old. For educational characteristics, 63.41% of undergraduate consumer education (S1) covers various fields of science. Then for the characteristics of income, it is found that as much as 6.92% of consumer income is 2,888,564 or equivalent to MSEs. Whereas for the type of work obtained as many as 57.4% have a livelihood / job as private employees. Meanwhile, the results of the analysis of consumer loyalty are not yet at the level of loyal buyers because the loyalty pyramid value of Switcher buyers is still above 50% and the value of committed buyers is still very small, namely 26.67%. The level of loyalty of rice consumers in the city of Pekanbaru is not yet at the level of loyal buyers because in the loyalty pyramid the value of Switcher buyers is still above 63%, which is 56.61% with the frequent category and the committed buyer value is also very small, namely 49.72% with the non-category. like, for the value of Liking The Brand and Satisfied Buyer, which is 100% with the very satisfied category. And the Habitual Buyer value is 96.66% with the category agree.