FNS or the Varseek-scale? Proposals for a valid operationalization of neophilia

Since 1992, two instruments - the Food Neophobia Scale (FNS) and the Varseek-scale - are used to measure food neophobia and variety seeking tendency, two personality traits that are at the heart of the management of the omnivore's paradox. This article highlights their conceptual difference, and empirical indistinctness. In-depth analyzes are carried out regarding their content and construct validity. FNS has weaknesses regarding its construct validity (dimensionality, convergent validity). Discriminant validity cannot be established, due to too strong similarities between their items, which hamper the content validity of Varseek-scale. This scale has good predictive validity for willingness to try new or unfamiliar foods. However, it does not reflect the desire for alternation among familiar foods, for which a new operationalization seems necessary.