Children's awareness of additives in food

Abstract

This study examines children's awareness of the presence of additives in food. Seventy-five 5-10-year-olds were interviewed and asked about how one of four target foods were made. The results suggest that awareness of the presence of additives may develop in early school years, although less than half the total sample (44%) reported an awareness of additives. Awareness appears to increase with age, particularly, between the ages of 5-6 years and 7-8 years. Additives were generally perceived as a good thing by those aware of their presence. Those who perceived additives to be bad also shared more general concerns for health.