摘要：From 1976 to 1991 per capita beef (including veal) consumption declined from 89 to 63 lbs. (Payson 1994). This is partially attributed to consumer health concerns (Gao and Shonkwiler 1993). According to CAST (1991), consumers would purchase more beef if the fat was well trimmed for retail display. In addition, consumers will expect meat products in the 1990s to be leaner, more convenient to prepare, and perceived to be healthful. Based on these consumer views, an economic analysis on the relationship between consumer perception of fat and demand for beef is particularly timely. In the early 1980s, Tracy (1980) pointed out that knowledge about the extent to which nutritional concerns are influencing food consumption patterns has important implications for the marketing system.
