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Consumers’ opinions, use of food labels and knowledge of food additives

Hatice Merve Bayram (Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Istanbul Gelisim University, Istanbul, Turkey)
Arda Ozturkcan (Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Istanbul Gelisim University, Istanbul, Turkey)

Nutrition & Food Science

ISSN: 0034-6659

Article publication date: 14 June 2022

Issue publication date: 7 February 2023

513

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to determine what consumers take into consideration while buying food and to increase awareness. We also demonstrated food additives knowledge, and the association between food additive consumption and illness.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was used to collect data from respondents (n = 433).

Findings

Gender and knowledge of food additives and E numbers were found to be statistically different, as were education status and knowledge of food additives (p < 0.05). When purchasing foods, 40.0% of the respondents seldom read labels and also 34.9% were reading for each buy who verified the product’s expiration date (94.2%), followed by brand name (84.8%). Sucralose, Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) and aspartame consumption were associated with type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Additionally, sulfite consumption was linked to diarrhea/constipation.

Research limitations/implications

This study has some limitations. First, the study was cross-sectional, which does not allow the establishment of causal relationships for the associations found here. Second, the study was limited to one city in Turkey. Therefore, the study's findings cannot be extrapolated to Turkey.

Practical implications

Nutrition education should be given by the experts, and the policies should be implemented so that food labels may be used more effectively. Furthermore, nutritional education and policies can increase the general public's awareness of food additives.

Social implications

Nutrition education should be given by the experts, and the policies should be implemented so that food labels may be used more effectively. Furthermore, nutritional education and policies can increase the general public's awareness of food additives.

Originality/value

Consumers must be knowledgeable about food additives and E numbers. However, the findings revealed that the majority of Turkish consumers seldom read product labels, and the use of several food additives resulted in negative health repercussions. Therefore, professionals should provide nutrition education, and legislation should be put in place so that food labels may be used more effectively.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Citation

Bayram, H.M. and Ozturkcan, A. (2023), "Consumers’ opinions, use of food labels and knowledge of food additives", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 53 No. 2, pp. 474-485. https://doi.org/10.1108/NFS-04-2022-0137

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited

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