Food waste occurs at all stages of the food chain, but it is households in developed countries that have the largest share in the production of food waste. In order to develop and implement effective programs to combat consumers throwing away food, the factors that determine food waste in a household must first be known. The purpose of this study was to assess the risk of food waste by Polish consumers and identify the effect of demographics on the respondents’ behavior related to food management. The results show that factors such as age, gender, place of residence, and education influence consumer behavior in terms of food management at home. It was found that young people and those with university-level education were more likely to buy unplanned products and waste food. The causes of the risk of wasting food were identified and their frequency determined. The most common causes for the risk of food waste include food being spoiled, missing the expiry date, and failure to arrange food in cabinets according to the expiry date. Bread was the most frequently wasted product, especially by young respondents.

No abstract

Biostimulants are preparations that favorably impact the growth, development, and yield of plants. The research objective was to examine the effect of the frequency of use of Kelpak, Terra Sorb Complex and Fylloton biostimulants on improving the yield and nutritional properties of beans. Been seeds (variety Oczko) were sown in the first week of May in 2015, 2016, and 2017. During the growing season, Fylloton (1%), Terra Sorb Complex (0.5%), and Kelpak (1%) biostimulants were applied by single (BBCH 12-13) and double spraying of plants (BBCH 12-13, BBCH 61). All variants of treatment with biostimulants were compared with the control. Single application of Kelpak had a positive effect on increasing the number of pods. The double application of Kelpak increased the number and yield of seeds and protein contents. Double application of Fylloton increased the number of seeds, and application of Terra Sorb Complex increased the protein content in the beans. Application of all biostimulants increased the flavonoid content. Biostimulants containing seaweed (Kelpak–Ecklonia maxima extract) or amino-acid extracts (Fylloton–Ascophyllum nodosum extract and amino acids or Terra Sorb Complex–amino acids) increased the seed yield, while improving its quality by increasing the content of protein, polyphenols, and flavonoids. It was found that the double application of Kelpak biostimulant stimulated the yield and quality of beans to a greater extent.

Food labelled with a “best before” date has a long shelf life. This study aimed to examine the respondents’ knowledge and understanding regarding the labelling on food products, as well as to assess the microbiological, physico–chemical and the sensory quality of selected durable food products on and after the date specified by the manufacturer. Two methods were used—a survey and laboratory tests. It was found that the majority of respondents have difficulty distinguishing and understanding the terms on the label and that a significant proportion of the respondents consume food products after the “best before” date. Laboratory tests of milk, pasta, mayonnaise and jam confirmed the microbiological safety of the products even six months after the “best before” date. Other features (texture, colour and sensory quality) slightly changed after one month for milk and mayonnaise (the colour had become more yellow) and after three months for pasta (its hardness had decreased) and jam (it had become browner). The possibility of extending the “best before” dates of selected durable foods could be considered, which could allow such products to legally be handed over to public benefit organisations, thereby reducing food wastage.

Today, the time spent actively is increasingly being replaced by screen-based media, although in some teenagers, a high level of physical activity (PA) and longer time spent in front of a screen (screen time, ST) may coexist as a mixed behavioral pattern. This study aimed to examine the association of the pattern created as activity (low/high ST with high PA) and inactivity patterns (low/high ST with low PA) with overweight, central obesity, and muscle strength in Polish teenagers taking into consideration socioeconomic and demographic factors. Cross-sectional data were collected from elementary school children (n = 1567), aged 11–13 years. Height, weight, waist circumference, and handgrip strength were measured. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as the overweight measure, and the waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) was calculated as the central obesity measure. Data on ST, PA, socioeconomic status, demographics, and nutrition knowledge were collected by a questionnaire. Activity–inactivity patterns were defined by an a priori approach. Multivariate logistic regression modelling was applied. The most active pattern (lowST-highPA) was found in 17% of the total sample. Teenagers with the most inactive pattern (highST-lowPA) had over four times higher chance of general overweight. No association between WHtR ≥0.5 and highST-highPA pattern was found. Higher muscle strength (>1 SD) was associated only with high physical activity. Urban residence or lower socioeconomic status increased adherence to the most inactive pattern. From a public health perspective, implementing interventions promoting active patterns in 11–13-year-old teenagers is important for obesity prevention and enhanced physical fitness, especially in girls, teenagers living in urban areas, and from families with lower socio-economic status.