Work

Evaluation of food additive awareness and knowledge in single-person households by gender, age, and eating behavior

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Purpose: This study examined the awareness and knowledge levels regarding food additives among single-person adult households.Methods: An online survey was conducted with 715 single-person households aged between 19 and 64 years, residing in urban areas across 17 metropolitan cities and provinces nationwide.The questionnaire included items on the demographic characteristics, nutrition quotient, awareness of food additives and sources of information, trust in information sources, and knowledge related to food additives.Awareness and knowledge of food additives were analyzed according to the participants' gender, age group, nutrition quotient grade, and reported awareness of food additives.Results: The proportion of respondents who reported an awareness of food additives was 53.0%, with significantly higher awareness among women and those classified in the medium or high nutrition quotient categories.Participants who were aware of food additives obtained information primarily from the internet, television, or radio.By contrast, those who were unaware attributed this to insufficient promotion and information, or to difficulty understanding the content related to food additives.The information provided by physicians, pharmacists, and professional literature was considered trustworthy, while trust in information disseminated by government agencies was notably low (< 20%).The perceived health risk score of food additives was 3.32, and significantly higher scores were observed among the subjects aged 50-64 years and those with medium or high nutrition quotient grades.The knowledge levels regarding food additives were significantly greater among older subjects, those with medium or high nutrition quotient grades, and those who reported awareness of food additives.

Source: Journal of Nutrition and Health

DOI: 10.4163/jnh.2026.59.1.76

Authors: Jung-Sug Lee, Hyo-Jeong Hwang, Jae Wook Shin

Institutions: Kookmin University, Sahmyook University

Language: Korean

Topic: Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Ministry of Food and Drug Safety