Abstract
The objectives of this study were to provide the basic data for the consumer education and for the new product development by surveying housewives'demands concerning prepared frozen or refrigerated foods and by surveying industry's practices and opinions concerning new product development. 804 housewives and 14 manufacturing companies of prepared frozen or refrigerated foods were surveyed. Data from housewives were analyzed by using SPSS-X progrm in terms of $x^2$-test, one-way ANOVA, t-test. The results of study are summarized as follows : 1. Frozen dumpling, frozen meat, surimi, ham and sausage were identifed as the most frequently used food items by housewives. The mean storage period for either prepared frozen or refrigerated foods was less than 15 days. 2. Housewives with higher educational background showed the greater concerns in packing and sanitary conditions, convenience in cooking procedures and brand name of the product than their counterparts. 3. Most housewives'purchasing motive for prepared frozen or refrigerated foods was the convenience of the cooking procedures(71.1%). Among the member of family, children(72.8%) specially liked prepared frozen or refrigerated foods. 4. Housewives'demands for prepared frozen or refrigerated foods were 'price reduction'and 'nutrition fortification'. These were in accordance with the companys'opimons. 5. Most wanting new product developments from the housewives perspectives were beverages (37.7%), stir-fried menu items(36.1%), pan-fried menu items(34.0%), stewed menu items(30.3%) and soups(20.4%). In case of stew and soups, the industry did not have a plan to develop those menu items.
