Improving future fish consumption: A case study on developing fish products for preschool children

This study investigates the sensory, nutritional, and microbiological characteristics of various fish products designed for kindergarten consumption. In sensory evaluations, products with 1.6 % salinity were preferred over the adult-oriented 2 %, with sausages, fish kebab, and balls being favored, i...

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Main Authors: Hui Jia, Zdeněk Fuka, Jan Hora, Magdalena Marešová, Věra Adámková, Koushik Roy, Jan Mraz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-03-01
Series:Aquaculture Reports
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S235251342500033X
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author Hui Jia
Zdeněk Fuka
Jan Hora
Magdalena Marešová
Věra Adámková
Koushik Roy
Jan Mraz
author_facet Hui Jia
Zdeněk Fuka
Jan Hora
Magdalena Marešová
Věra Adámková
Koushik Roy
Jan Mraz
author_sort Hui Jia
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates the sensory, nutritional, and microbiological characteristics of various fish products designed for kindergarten consumption. In sensory evaluations, products with 1.6 % salinity were preferred over the adult-oriented 2 %, with sausages, fish kebab, and balls being favored, indicating a predisposition for conventional meat product shapes. Preferred colors were pinkish and yellow, but shape was deemed the most significant factor for appeal. Taste tests showed preferences for standard children snack seasoning, cranberries, and herbs, with scores of 77.5, 72.5, and 60, respectively. Notably, positive motivational strategies by teachers significantly improved children’s acceptance of the fish products. Among the tested items, fish pates, balls, ham, and sausages rated highest, while responses to fish spread were moderate. Microbiological analysis confirmed all products met European (EU) standards with Listeria monocytogenes levels (0 before product left producer, <10 CFU/g during 3-week shelf-life), ensuring safety. Nutritional assessments highlighted balanced protein (14.3–17.2 g/100 g) and varied fat contents (6.6–18.3 g/100 g), with salt levels (1.54–1.7 g/100 g) significantly lower than traditional smoked products, aligning with healthier standards for children. The omega-3 fatty acid content (Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) + Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) 265 mg/ 100 g in fish ham to 1067 mg/ 100 g in fish sausages) exceeded recommended daily intake of EPA+DHA (>100 %; average 233 %), underscoring health benefits, especially from other boneless parts of fish beyond just fillets. Economic evaluations indicated that production costs varied (cost: 3.69–7.19 USD/kg, price: 5.51–10.71 USD/kg excluding taxes) inversely with the use of fish fillets versus fish baader. Oxidative stability tests showed malondialdehyde concentrations (<0.8 µg/g) remained within acceptable limits over 20 days chilled-storage, ensuring product integrity. These findings highlight the impact of shape, color, and educator motivation on children's preferences and a strategic approach to developing fish-based preschool meals that could foster healthier eating habits among children.
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series Aquaculture Reports
spelling doaj-art-2b9b8d1bd1264a429ee637f783cedd462025-02-06T05:12:25ZengElsevierAquaculture Reports2352-51342025-03-0140102647Improving future fish consumption: A case study on developing fish products for preschool childrenHui Jia0Zdeněk Fuka1Jan Hora2Magdalena Marešová3Věra Adámková4Koushik Roy5Jan Mraz6University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Institute of Aquaculture and Protection of Waters, České Budějovice 370 05, Czech RepublicFimex, spol. s.r.o., Prague 101 00, Czech RepublicTilapia s.r.o., Tábor 390 01, Czech RepublicUniversity of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Institute of Aquaculture and Protection of Waters, České Budějovice 370 05, Czech RepublicInstitute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IKEM), Prague 140 21, Czech RepublicUniversity of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Institute of Aquaculture and Protection of Waters, České Budějovice 370 05, Czech RepublicUniversity of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, Institute of Aquaculture and Protection of Waters, České Budějovice 370 05, Czech Republic; Correspondence to: Institute of Aquaculture and Protection of Waters, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Na Sadkach 1780, Ceske Budejovice 370 05, Czech Republic.This study investigates the sensory, nutritional, and microbiological characteristics of various fish products designed for kindergarten consumption. In sensory evaluations, products with 1.6 % salinity were preferred over the adult-oriented 2 %, with sausages, fish kebab, and balls being favored, indicating a predisposition for conventional meat product shapes. Preferred colors were pinkish and yellow, but shape was deemed the most significant factor for appeal. Taste tests showed preferences for standard children snack seasoning, cranberries, and herbs, with scores of 77.5, 72.5, and 60, respectively. Notably, positive motivational strategies by teachers significantly improved children’s acceptance of the fish products. Among the tested items, fish pates, balls, ham, and sausages rated highest, while responses to fish spread were moderate. Microbiological analysis confirmed all products met European (EU) standards with Listeria monocytogenes levels (0 before product left producer, <10 CFU/g during 3-week shelf-life), ensuring safety. Nutritional assessments highlighted balanced protein (14.3–17.2 g/100 g) and varied fat contents (6.6–18.3 g/100 g), with salt levels (1.54–1.7 g/100 g) significantly lower than traditional smoked products, aligning with healthier standards for children. The omega-3 fatty acid content (Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) + Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) 265 mg/ 100 g in fish ham to 1067 mg/ 100 g in fish sausages) exceeded recommended daily intake of EPA+DHA (>100 %; average 233 %), underscoring health benefits, especially from other boneless parts of fish beyond just fillets. Economic evaluations indicated that production costs varied (cost: 3.69–7.19 USD/kg, price: 5.51–10.71 USD/kg excluding taxes) inversely with the use of fish fillets versus fish baader. Oxidative stability tests showed malondialdehyde concentrations (<0.8 µg/g) remained within acceptable limits over 20 days chilled-storage, ensuring product integrity. These findings highlight the impact of shape, color, and educator motivation on children's preferences and a strategic approach to developing fish-based preschool meals that could foster healthier eating habits among children.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S235251342500033XSensory evaluationNutritional compositionMicrobiological safetyOmega-3 fatty acidsChild preferencesFood product development
spellingShingle Hui Jia
Zdeněk Fuka
Jan Hora
Magdalena Marešová
Věra Adámková
Koushik Roy
Jan Mraz
Improving future fish consumption: A case study on developing fish products for preschool children
Aquaculture Reports
Sensory evaluation
Nutritional composition
Microbiological safety
Omega-3 fatty acids
Child preferences
Food product development
title Improving future fish consumption: A case study on developing fish products for preschool children
title_full Improving future fish consumption: A case study on developing fish products for preschool children
title_fullStr Improving future fish consumption: A case study on developing fish products for preschool children
title_full_unstemmed Improving future fish consumption: A case study on developing fish products for preschool children
title_short Improving future fish consumption: A case study on developing fish products for preschool children
title_sort improving future fish consumption a case study on developing fish products for preschool children
topic Sensory evaluation
Nutritional composition
Microbiological safety
Omega-3 fatty acids
Child preferences
Food product development
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S235251342500033X
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