Food design contribution to democracy through infantile education: organoleptic sensations evaluation as a complement to nutritional monitoring

Abstract

This exploratory study, framed by an investigation on food design, has as its goal to assess the organoleptic acquis on infant citizens (aged 3 - 5), from different socio-economic groups. The investigation is based on the statistical evaluation of a questionnaire survey, structured by the taxonomic circle of Atlantic-Mediterranean taste where the sample comes from (two schools from the metropolitan area of Porto, Portugal).

Concerning the olfactory submission to 20 products, distributed in 12 types, it was concluded that there was a 54% significant difference on the most favoured socio-economic group, comparing the 38% of the most depressed group, therefore highlighting a clear asymmetry between the analysed groups.

Inferring a nexus of causality between the organoleptic archive acquired until the age of 5 years, and the subsequent ability to acquire new nutritional habits, it is recognised that infant nutrition must be evaluated not only concerning the nutrition perspective but, and complementarily, the cultural perspective, thereby providing individuals with a greater flexibility to innovation and adjustment to the future. Consequently, we identify that the Democratic State, regarding its accountability of promoting social development, should, alongside with the nutritional education already implemented, add the new domain of organoleptic skills, promoting more suitable citizens to social, economic and sanitary progress.