ABSTRACT
This research work is on the Effects of Food Additives and Preservatives on Human Health among the Families in Benin Metropolis. To carry out the research work, five research questions was formulated which are; What is the effect of food additives and preservation on human health on the people of Benin City Metropolis. What are the additives and preservation used on their food. Does harmful illness and diseases are caused by the consumption of additives and preservatives. What are the measure to cut down the use of additives and preservative among families in Benin City Metropolis? What are the types of additives used by families in Benin Metropolis?
The study adopted survey research design, the population of the study consist of 160 families in Benin Metropolos. A structured questionnaire was raised to gathered information from the respondents which have option of Strongly Agree (SA), Agree (A), Disagree (D), Strongly Disagree (SD) of likert scale of four of 2.5. Result from data was analyze and result interpreted.
Findings discovered that families in Benin Metropolis are aware of the effects of Food Additives and Preservatives on Human Health. That food additives and preservatives are always used in their food consumed raging from the use of Salt to preserve their food, Saccharin, Bromates to bake bread, cakes etc. it was found that food additives and preservatives causes digestive disturbances, causes obesity and causes brain damage, in addition causes cancers and cardiac disease. The following recommendations were suggested. That enough enlightenment through the mass media should be carried out. Families should be encouraged to make use local or natural method to prepare their food. Families should make use of refrigerators to store foods. Government should place ban on the importation of foreign foods that contain harmful preservatives and additives.
