Consumer awareness of additives used on the food market

The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge of additives used in food in a random group of Polish consumers. It was based on the results of a consumer survey addressed to the inhabitants of Poland via the Internet. The questions in the survey concerned the knowledge and behaviour of respondents regarding food additives. The analysis showed that the respondents pay attention to additives used in food to a large extent, but their general knowledge on this subject is at an average level. Pro-health attitudes regarding the purchase of food without additives were most often shown by females and younger people and those with higher education and living in urban agglomerations. Since the survey did not confirm the respondents’ opinion about their extensive knowledge of additives used in food production, it should be assumed that this largely reflects the state of awareness in this area in a large part of society. Actions should be taken to educate the public about the use of additives in the food industry to raise awareness about the safety and scale of consumption of food additives.