Impact of Food Safety Education and Information Sources on Female Students’ Perception of Food Additives and on Product Prices with Additive-Free Labeling

Key Points

• This study aims to examine how food safety education affects female students' perception of food additives and product pricing.
• Conducted a survey among university students and affiliated junior high school students
• Compared responses between those who received food safety education and those who did not
• Analyzed the pricing of 76 pairs of food products based on additive presence
• Students exposed to food safety education had a significantly higher perception of safety regarding additives
• Primary information sources varied: students used parents and television, while non-educated students relied on internet and SNS
• Additive-free products were found to be, on average, 1.6 times more expensive