Consumer Awareness and Attitude Toward the Use of Food Additives Among Households in Port Harcourt, Rivers State

Food additives are integral to the modern food processing industry, serving functions including preservation, colour enhancement, flavour improvement, and texture modification. However, public understanding of their safety, regulatory oversight, and appropriate use is often limited. This study assessed consumer awareness and attitudes toward food additives among 250 households in Port Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State, South South Nigeria. A stratified random sampling method was applied to select respondents from four residential zones. A structured questionnaire covering awareness of common additives, reading of ingredient labels, trust in regulatory agencies, and attitudes toward natural versus synthetic additives was administered. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were applied for data analysis. Results revealed that 68 percent of respondents were aware of food additives as a general concept but only 29 percent could correctly identify an additive from a product ingredient list. Artificial sweeteners and preservatives elicited the greatest concern. Younger and more educated respondents demonstrated significantly higher label-reading behaviour. Trust in the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control was expressed by 51 percent of respondents. The majority expressed preference for naturally sourced over synthetic additives. The study recommends targeted consumer education programmes, simplified ingredient labelling standards, and greater transparency in additive use by the Nigerian food industry. Keywords: food additives, consumer awareness, labelling, food safety, Port Harcourt.