Effect of Information about Animal Feeding on Consumer Acceptability of Sausages from Turopolje Pig Breed

Th e aim of this study was to examine the infl uence of information about pig feeding (conventional vs. acorn-fed) on consumer acceptability and probability of purchase of sausages made from local Turopolje pig breed. The study was conducted on a sample of 135 respondents using three step procedures: hedonic test in blind conditions, evaluation of expected preferences and informed hedonic test. Results showed that in the blind test sausage from conventionally-fed pigs were rated higher, but in the expectancy test the consumers had better perception of sausages made of acornfed
pigs. A significant assimilation effect was noticed for sausage made of acorn-fed pigs; information about acorn feeding increased consumers’ actual acceptance and probability of sausage purchase. However, information on conventional feeding did not influence consumers’ acceptance and probability of sausage purchase in informed vs. blind test. It is concluded that information on traditional feeding with acorn can be used as an influential marketing tool for Turopolje pig breed products.