ROLE OF MINIMALLY PROCESSED FRUIT AND VEGETABLES ON THE DIET OF THE CONSUMERS IN THE XXI^ST CENTURY

An increasing number of people have at least one meal away from home, making use of public or private foodservices. Special groups of consumers, namely children and an increasing number of elderly spend most of the day or even the whole day in institutions. In this context industrial kitchens need to prepare and cook large numbers of meals in a short time, often without enough staff, equipment or even physical conditions. At the same time consumers became more health conscious about their food choices and developed a higher interest in fresh-convenient products with reduced use of chemicals. Reliable information on nutritional value of these kinds of products is also necessary to promote consumption in all kind of consumers. Incorporation of the concept of brand labelling, market segmentation and quality assurance must be part of food company management.