CONSUMPTION OF FOOD ADDITIVES AND PRESERVATIVES AMONG PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH EDUCATION IN OREDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

This study investigated consumption of food additives and preservatives among public secondary school students and its implications for health education in Oredo Local Government Area, Edo State. Attempt were made to review relevant literatures on the subject matter and to discover their level of awareness, factors influencing students’ consumption of food additives and preservatives, as well as the implications of students’ consumption of food additives and preservatives for health education among public secondary school students in Oredo Local Government area. The population of the study consisted of male and female students in Oredo Local Government Area, who were randomly selected for the study. A structured questionnaire was used as the instrument of data collection. Findings after data analysis revealed that students are aware that consumption of food additives and preservatives have health implications.

The researcher also recommended among others that students should be encouraged to eat fresh foods rather than processed foods, compulsory nutrition classes should be incorporated into tertiary education, health education should be provided to students and food vendors, and that school authorities should train and employ food control personnel or nutritionists.sonnel or nutritionists.