Yilmaz, BirsenAgaguenduez, DuyguKalyoncu Atasoy, Z. BegumYesilyurt, NeslihanErgin, SuleMurat, NaciNutrition and Dietetics2024-07-052024-07-05202300022-02991469-762910.1017/S00220299230000182-s2.0-85151565604https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022029923000018https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14411/2583KALYONCU ATASOY, ZEYNEP BEGUM/0000-0001-6208-3540; Yesilyurt, Neslihan/0000-0003-1222-3984This research was conducted to evaluate the knowledge and purchasing behaviour of consumers regarding lactose-free foods. Study data were collected from 1882 individuals with the help of a questionnaire form. Attitudes towards animal welfare, healthy nutrition and gastrointestinal symptoms were also evaluated. The majority (86.6%) of the participants reported that they had heard of the concept of lactose-free foods before, but more than half (67.0%) did not report buying them because of their higher costs compared to regular products and lack of sufficient information. Not causing gas/bloating (32.5%) and being healthier (28.3%) were shown to be the most significant motivational factors in purchasing lactose-free foods (P < 0.05). The factors affecting purchase of lactose-free products were education, employment status, history of having a food intolerance test and animal welfare perception together with higher scores from the gastrointestinal symptom rating scale, and attitude scale for healthy nutrition (P < 0.05). Body mass index was not found to be an effective factor determining purchase intention. The results provide a general overview of consumers, however, further studies on other demographic groups are needed.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessAnimal welfareconsumer health informationfood preferencelactose intolerancelactose-freeArticleQ2901100107WOS:00092216040000136727468