The pattern of Food Additives Consumption among Preschool Children and Knowledge and Attitude of their mothers in Al Sharkia Governorate, Egypt

Background: Many nutritionists suggest that preschool children have the highest exposure to food additives which are an essential element in the spread of snaking culture and are often responsible for the increased prevalence of non-communicable diseases. Objectives: To assess the magnitude and the pattern of food additives consumption among preschool children and to assess knowledge and attitude towards E-numbers and food additives among mothers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 514 preschool children. a structured questionnaire was designed to assess food additives consumption, knowledge, and attitude of mothers toward food additive, also food labels of 60 marketed products were analysed. Results: This survey revealed that daily food additives consumption was found among 15% of the studied children, 30% of food products contain two or three additives belonging to dairy, meat products, and crisps, the citric acid (E330) was found in all selected food categories except in dairy and meat products. 72% of the participants’ mothers had poor knowledge of food additives, knowledge level was increased with higher Socioeconomic status. There was a significant negative correlation between Socioeconomic status, total knowledge of mothers, and food additives consumption. Conclusion: Daily food additives consumption is related to poor knowledge and negative attitudes of mothers which should be defeated by consumer educational programs on food additives.