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PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess food safety knowledge, choice behavior and health hazard concerns of ethnic Goan pork sausage consumers through various consumer food safety indices and also to evaluate socio-demographic influences on various consumer food safety indices.Design/methodology/approachPrimary data in the form of 210 questionnaire responses were collected from Goan pork sausage consumers. Based on the responses, seven various consumer food safety indices were derived. The cumulative score of all the indices were normalized (0–1). The association between socio-demographic variables and consumer indices were evaluated using linear regression analysis, Pearson's correlation matrix, principal component analysis (PCA) and correspondence analysis (CA).FindingsThe results of the analysis indicate that the consumption of Goan pork sausages is most prevalent amongst younger people with high education having higher income. A majority of consumers have high score for the four consumer indices. The results of correlation analysis, regression analysis, PCA and CA revealed a significant association of consumer indices with socio-demographic variables.Originality/valueThe results of this study will provide a way forward for the evaluation of existing overall food safety concerns in the target population and in the future would be used for the promotion of good handling practices and health of Goan pork sausage consumers.

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PurposeThe purpose of this paper is the physico-chemical, microbiological, colorimetric, sensorial characterization of choris, a traditional smoked pork sausage produced in the state of Goa (India), including its storage stability (0–180 days) at room temperature, aiming at the geographical indication certification and entrepreneurship prospects.Design/methodology/approachA total of 48 samples of “choris” were collected from 24 villages of Goa and were analyzed at different intervals (0–180 days) for physico-chemical, proximate, microbiological, colorimetric and sensory attributes during the storage at room temperature.FindingsThe mean pH of 4.45 and water activity (aw) of 0.78 were recorded. The pH, tyrosine value, fat percentage and free fatty acid content registered a significant increase, whereas moisture content, aw and moisture–protein ratio reduced as storage progresses. The colorimetric values lightness (L*), hue angle (H*) and redness index values reduced significantly during storage. The mean total viable count, yeast and mold, and lactic acid bacteria count were found to proliferate significantly as storage advanced. Nevertheless, the hedonic scores not reaching an unacceptable level (= 4) at the end of the storage period.Originality/valueIn accordance with the various parameters adopted during the study, choris could be characterized as “naturally fermented dry smoked” sausages, which were shelf-stable at room temperature for 180 days. The product characterization of choris is essential to guarantee the genuineness, safety and consumer's acceptability. This study will also rebound in an augmented uniformity of the product, which will favor the geographical indication certification and the entrepreneurship prospects of this traditional product.

Marketing excellence is the need of the hour in today‘s competitive scenario. Numerous companies are striving to compete by continuous implementation of effective marketing strategies for sustainable growth. The purpose of this research is to investigate the impact of Internal marketing strategies and analyse the relationship between Focus Strategy (FS), Differentiation Strategy (DS), Market Penetration Strategy (MPS) and Sales Service Support Strategy (SSS) for Competitive Advantage (CA) with respect to organised sector of Coimbatore based pump industry in TamilNadu.The result shows that, Focus Strategy, Differentiation Strategy and Sales Service Support Strategy are having strong and positive impact on Market Penetration Strategies. There is also a positive and strong impact of Market Penetration Strategy for Competitive Advantage. It was suggested to provide adequate training for sales and service persons to constantly improve on technical expertise and look for new design of service quality and to monitor on-time service which would place organized pump industry on sustainable growth in a competitive market.