WHETHER it tastes like creamy cookie dough or refreshing lemon, ice cream is tempting people everywhere especially during summer. Of course flavor is key when it comes to choosing a particular product. However, consumers also pay attention to other factors when deciding on an ice cream. Via comprehensive worldwide consumer surveys, the GNT Group, leading global provider of Colouring Foods, has gathered these top 5 aspects.
1: Ingredients
Ice cream may not be the healthiest choice – instead, it is aimed at indulgence. Yet, 45 per cent of consumers worldwide try to avoid ice cream containing artificial colors, sweeteners or preservatives. Nearly one third has already opted not to buy a particular type because it contained artificial colorings.
2: Information on package
People want to know at one glance what’s inside their ice cream. 66 per cent check ingredient labels before putting a product into their shopping baskets. More than one fifth even wishes for easy to understand ingredient information and clear nutrition facts on the front of their ice cream packaging.
3: Color
We eat with our eyes! For one third of consumers worldwide the color of ice cream is crucial for their purchase decision. And there’s a simple reason: our brain connects certain colors to certain flavors. In other words: the color determines what we expect a product to taste and smell like.
4: Calories and fat
Even though ice cream is, of course, a sweet treat, only 12 per cent care about calories when choosing a particular type of ice cream. On the other hand, 44 per cent try to avoid fat.
5: Price
The price for ice cream is crucial for 53 per cent of consumers. But, cheap isn’t always good: producers can enhance customers’ brand preference by removing artificial and additive colors from their products. Especially parents usually buy the healthier option – regardless of the product price.