Factors affecting fast food consumers’ intention to use menu labeling in Klang Valley, Malaysia

Menu labeling is an attempt to educate consumers about the nutrition value of the foods. The importance of using menu labeling has been highlighted in many studies in the past. Although public health programs are educating public on obesity but still this phenomenon is a serious problem in Malaysia. This study identified factors that influence intention to use menu labeling among fast food consumers in Malaysia. The research was conducted among 395 adults in Klang Valley. Respondents completed a self-administrative questionnaire which was adapted from previous studies. Results revealed that attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control had statistically significant positive association with intention and each was significant predictors of intention to use menu labeling and together explained 41% of its variance. The most effective factor was attitude, followed by subjective norms and perceived behavioral control. The outcomes of this study suggested that nutritional knowledge of consumers does not have effect on consumer’s intention to use menu labeling; therefore nutritional knowledge of fast food consumers must be improved. Fast food restaurants have to put more effort on encouraging customers to use menu labeling by making the label more accessible and in a user friendly format

Dimensions of authenticity in Malay cuisine from experts' perspectives

Food authenticity is defined as the originality and genuine of Malay cuisine in various aspects. It is an important element in portraying the family identity, culture and heritage of Malay community in Malaysia. Food experts including professional chefs and cooks are believed the parties that still practising and maintaining the authenticity of Malay cuisine in today’s scenario. Hence, in-depth interviews were individually conducted among the Malay food experts (n=15) in each State in Peninsular Malaysia to seek how an experts interprets the meaning and characteristics of authenticity in Malay cuisine that influenced the taste of the food. Technically, the food experts were chosen based on the diverse understanding, skills and experiences in Malay cuisine. Furthermore, the interview data were strengthened with extensive observation in their food outlets. Consequently, data analysis by using a self determination theory approach revealed that Malay food experts’ personality and motivation were directly accessed them to view the authenticity of Malay cuisine in three dimensions. There were consists of family culture (relational orientation, value, cooking skill, cooking method, cooking utensil and cooking ingredients), self interest (hobby, passion, permanent job, financial and events), and awareness (authentic taste, texture and appearance, modification, and alteration) characteristics. In a nutshell, these empirical findings demonstrated how a model of dimensions of authenticity in Malay cuisine and the characteristics able to influence the authentic taste of the cuisine from the experts’ perspective and served as guidance for future researches and interventions in Malay cuisine authenticity

The values of the traditional culinary practices towards the modernization as perceived by the Malay Chefs in Klang Valley

The central question to be examined in this study is associated with the value of the Malays traditional culinary practices of Malay chef in preparing the traditional food in Malaysian hotels. Present understanding highlighted that hotels are giving high priority on their superior services, such as luxury accommodations and intimate hospitalities. As such, promoting local foods in their dining establishment has taken a back seat. Research from past scholars indicated that hotel in Malaysia can be the one stop center for the local and international tourists to get the first hand information about local food specialities. On the hindsight, very limited efforts have been put into practice on the promotions of local food especially Malay cuisines in hotels. Main issue such as mass-produced Malay cuisines in the commercial kitchens, for example, should be highlighted to ensure that hotels are not jeopardizing the originality of traditional food preparations. Therefore, a qualitative reasearch focusing in in-depth interview with 10 Malay chefs was conducted in hotels around the Klang Valley. The results are so profound that majority of the Malay chefs under study shared similar understandings on technology advancements and modernizations that have taken place in their daily food preparations. Another finding revealed that one of the most challenging factors in preventing the Malay chefs to prepare the Malay food as it has been done traditionally is the attitude and awareness of the young generations to understand the values in traditional culinary practices. This study concludes with suggestion that aggressive knowledge sharing and information dissemination among the Malay chefs in hotels are needed to effectively market the traditional Malay food

A review: Autodissemination of Pyriproxyfen as novel strategy to control dengue outbreaks

The new emergence and re-emergence of arbovirus infections transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes have been spreading across Southeast Asia, Central Africa, United States, tropical Oceania and has become a major of public health concern. These arbovirus diseases were found to have a similar vector, symptoms and environments. The situation is complex due to no specific vaccine or treatments being available for the diseases. Therefore, vector control is currently the best defense against arbovirus diseases, but with its own challenges such as the difficulty in controlling scattered breeding sites and biological behavior. Herein, we present a literature review of studies on current techniques proposed to combat dengue transmission that can fill a crucial gap in vector control programs, which is the inability of conventional control methods to eliminate and destroy cryptic breeding sites. In particular, we focused on the concept of autodissemination, which is a self-delivery technique by manipulating the behavior of mosquitoes, carrying the insecticide and disseminating it to cryptic breeding sites. This technique has shown promising results in some countries and can be considered as an additional tool in a vector control program. Therefore, we conducted Boolean searches in several electronic databases including Google Scholar, PubMed, SciELO and ScienceDirect to identify relevant published data regarding dengue and autodissemination techniques

Evaluating the potential of pyriproxyfen dissemination using mosquito home system against Aedes albopictus at dengue hotspot area

Aedes mosquitoes were found to lay their eggs in the cryptic breeding sites. Eliminating cryptic and open breeding sites is essential in reducing dengue virus transmission. However, it is often challenging for health officers to assess these breeding sites which are usually missed during larval surveillance. The autodissemination approach may produce a better outcome by manipulating female mosquitoes to disperse insecticide to other Aedes spp. mosquito habitats. Thus, the present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the pyriproxyfen autodissemination technique using Mosquito Home System against the population of mosquitoes. This study was conducted in Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia. The Mosquito Home System was deployed to control Aedes spp. populations at treatment sites using before-after-control-impact (BACI) design. The presence of pyriproxyfen distribution was confirmed using the WHO larval bioassay which resulted in 10-35% larvae mortalities. Autodissemination of pyriproxyfen significantly reduced the population size of mosquito eggs (p<0.05), larvae (p<0.05), and ovitrap index (p<0.05) at the treatment areas compared to the control areas. Moreover, rainfall was correlated positively against ovitrap index (r = 0.247), larvae (r = 0.420) and eggs (r = 0.422). The study provides promising results for controlling Aedes spp. populations and also highlights the potentials of this technique as an alternative in vector control programmes. However, further studies on larger scale field trials are warranted

Demanded competencies of the entry-level position in the restaurant industry: employers’ perspectives

Researchers advocated that there are many issues of fresh graduates' competencies, including insufficient skills to meet the requirement as expected by the industry. The purpose of this study was to discover the entry-level competencies demanded by the restaurant employers towards fresh graduates. The dynamic workforce and the mismatch competencies claimed by employers are the issues that trigger education stakeholders, particularly in Malaysia. Responses were obtained from eight restaurant managers in Klang Valley, through a semi-structured interview. The data were then analyzed using thematic analysis. There were nine competencies emerged from this study, which reflect the entry-level competencies demanded by restaurant managers towards fresh graduates, namely: 1) attitude and behavior, 2) cognitive skill, 3) communication skill, 4) knowledge in the discipline area, 5) professionalism and work ethics, 6) technical skill, 7) teamwork, 8) leadership and 9) experience. It is anticipated that the findings will be able to fulfill the restaurant's needs by giving a clear picture of the essential competencies that need to be infused in the university's curriculum. Besides, both educators and fresh graduates will have an insight into the preparation for working in the restaurant industry

Food Image, Satisfation and Behaviorall Intentions: The case of Malaysia\u27s Portugese Cuisine

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate Malaysians’ perceived image, satisfaction, and behavioral intentions toward Malacca Portuguese cuisine. Self-administered questionnaire were distributed to customers who were dining at the Portuguese restaurant. A total of 187 respondents were participated in the study. The ‘quality’ and ‘variety and authenticity’ have been recognized as the essential images of Malaysia’s Portuguese cuisine. On the other hand, the respondents were satisfied with the ‘core value’ and ‘food choices’ of the Portuguese cuisine. Regression analyses showed that Portuguese food attribute satisfaction was significantly predicted overall satisfaction, and the overall satisfaction revealed significant relationship with behavioral intentions

Challenges in sustaining the Malay traditional kuih among youth

The purpose of the article is to disclose the challenges in sustaining the Malay traditional kuih with differing levels of acceptance among youth in East Coast Peninsular Malaysia. Malay kuih also known as Malay dessert that referring to a product which uses specific raw ingredients; methods; processes; techniques; materials and utensils; and the recipes have been passed down from one generation to other generations. It is part of Malaysian culture, identity and heritage that should be sustained by all generations especially youth. Throughout observation and interviews with youth, age of 18 to 25 years old who are completed their secondary school and basically come from different family backgrounds, the trend of buying pattern among youth towards Malay traditional kuih were influenced by the family, friends and occasions. Six main themes that have been identified are including family, value, knowledge, motivation, way of life and pecuniary. Although all themes were emphasized by youth during the interviews, a closer look revealed that the themes evaluated quite differently based on their age and background. The exhibited divergences are found to be underpinned by different way of life dispositions, which are extremely important and affecting in shaping and influencing values amongst the youth. The results are promising meaningful understanding of the challenges to sustain the Malay traditional kuih among youth, which are reinforced by its complex culture diversities and globalization

Penggunaan kaedah penyebaran-auto separa lapangan dan simulasi lapangan terhadap vektor demam denggi Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) (Diptera: Culicidae)

Demam denggi merupakan penyakit bawaan nyamuk yang menunjukkan kesan signifikan terhadap manusia serta meningkatkan kebimbangan kesihatan awam. Namun begitu, kawalan vektor sedia ada belum mampu mengurangkan jangkitan denggi, menunjukkan kaedah yang digunakan masih tidak mencukupi dan perlu dinilai semula. Penyebaran-auto dengan pyriproxyfen merupakan satu kaedah novel yang memanipulasi nyamuk untuk menyebarkan pyriproxyfen ke bekas pembiakan. Kaedah ini bergantung sepenuhnya kepada kelakuan langkau oviposisi nyamuk Aedes spp. semasa ingin bertelur. Kajian ini dijalankan untuk menguji potensi Mosquito Home System (MHS) dan formulasi Mosquito Home Aqua (MHAQ) sebagai stesen penyebaran-auto dalam keadaan separa-lapangan. Selain itu, impak penggunaan terhadap populasi nyamuk di lapangan turut diakses. Ujian separa lapangan telah dijalankan dalam bilik berdasarkan kepada konsep kebuk peet grady yang disimulasikan sebagai aparment bertingkat di Kuala Lumpur menggunakan sangkar besar. Ujian menunjukkan kecenderungan nyamuk Ae. aegypti liar bertelur dibekas tersembunyi (69.88%) berbanding bekas terbuka (30.12%). Tiada perbezaan yang signifikan di antara pyriproxyfen dan air seduhan rumput kering menunjukkan kebolehan menarik nyamuk ke dalam stesen. Penggunaan pyriproxyfen pada 20 dan 40 ppm menunjukkan kesan residu yang setara sehingga 90 hari berbanding 0.5 dan 1 ppm. Dalam simulasi lapangan, dua penetapan lokasi kawalan dan rawatan telah ditentukan. Kaedah percubaan kawalan rawak dijalankan dengan memasang stesen penyebaran-auto di lokasi kajian dan populasi nyamuk seterusnya dipantau. Ujian dengan kepekatan 40 ppm menunjukkan penurunan dalam populasi nyamuk dan kematian larva dari sampel air yang diambil dari lokasi kajian. Selain itu, aktiviti perpindahan pyriproxyfen secara horizontal di separa lapangan dan simulasi lapangan diakses menggunakan bioasai larva WHO. Keputusan membuktikan kebolehan pyriproxyfen dipindahkan ke kawasan pembiakan baru di lokasi kajian. Kajian ini telah membuktikan potensi MHS sebagai alat penyebaran-auto yang berupaya menarik perhatian nyamuk dan seterusnya memindahkan insektisid ke bekas pembiakan yang lain. Kajian MHS pada skala yang lebih besar adalah diperlukan sebelum boleh dipertimbangkan sebagai alternatif dalam program kawalan vektor