Pre-sliced or do it yourself? - Determinants of schoolchildren's acceptance of convenience fruits and vegetables

- We examined 8-10-year-olds' pre-sliced fruit and vegetable (F&V) liking in school.
- Sensory and packaging characteristics negatively affected their liking.
- Positive attitudes towards F&V preparation negatively affected their choice.
- We do not recommend distribution of pre-sliced F&V to schoolchildren.

Previous research shows that the method of preparation can significantly influence children's fruit and vegetable (F&V) acceptance. The purpose of this study was to analyze the determinants of children's liking of industrial pre-sliced and single packed F&V within the framework of the European Union School Fruit Scheme (SFS). In addition, the influence of the liking of pre-sliced F&V on the choice for pre-sliced vs. non-pre-sliced F&V was determined. A baseline survey was conducted with 118 schoolchildren (aged 8-10 years) receiving normal F&V in the framework of the SFS and involved the preparation and characteristics of F&V. After the intervention group (n = 60) received pre-sliced F&V for 6 weeks, the survey was conducted again with complementary questions concerning pre-sliced F&V, and the results were compared with those of a control group (n = 58) that continued to receive non-pre-sliced F&V. The survey results indicated that the liking of F&V significantly decreased in the intervention group, while it remained constant in the control group. Multiple regression analyses indicated that the sensory deficits and negative packaging characteristics of pre-sliced F&V significantly and negatively influenced the rating for pre-sliced F&V, while savings in effort and time for preparation positively influenced the liking. Furthermore, the liking of pre-sliced F&V significantly and positively influenced the choice for pre-sliced F&V. In contrast, a positive attitude towards F&V preparation negatively influenced the choice of pre-sliced F&V. Based on the results, the general distribution of pre-sliced F&V cannot be recommended in the framework of school-based F&V intervention programs.