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Research Paper | Nutrition Science | India | Volume 6 Issue 4, April 2017 | Popularity: 6.9 / 10

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A Study on Awareness and Consumption of Fortified Foods among Female Adults of Mumbai

Rekha Battalwar, Bilqees Fatema Syed

Abstract: Introduction Food fortification is likely to have played an important role in current nutritional health and well-being of populations in industrialized countries. Malnutrition is one of the biggest development challenges facing the world. Over 2 billion people lack the essential vitamins and nutrients needed to grow and live healthy lives. Aim To assess the awareness, attitude and consumption of females towards food fortification in Mumbai. Method A study was conducted on 100 females between the age group of 18 to 60 years using a structured questionnaire. A statistical package of social sciences (SPSS) version 16 was used for analysis. Results Over 43 subjects were aware about the definition of food fortification (2 = 75.48, p <0.01) & 52 subjects knew that salt should be compulsorily fortified with iodine in India (2 = 133.80, p <0.01). Over 76 subjects consumed fortified foods (2 = 85.76, p <0.01) & while 28 consumed because its healthy, other 28 gave a mixed response (2 = 54.75, p <0.01). Only 64 subjects responded that its affordable (2 = 13.17, p <0.01) and 42 subjects got aware about it by reading on the pack of the container or through TV/magazines/newspaper/internet (2 = 66.16, p <0.01). Breakfast cereals were consumed once in a while on a monthly basis, Breads and biscuits on a weekly basis, Snack bars on monthly basis, Amul Taaza Milk, Gemini Refined Sunflower Oil and Tata salt plus were on a daily basis and all Beverages were of mixed combinations. Conclusion The overall awareness regarding food fortification was poor. Although the attitude was not purposeful towards fortified foods, the consumption was unconsciously more due to the availability of such products in the market.

Keywords: Fortification, Nutrition Awareness, Vitamins & Minerals, Fortified Food, Micronutrient Deficiency

Edition: Volume 6 Issue 4, April 2017

Pages: 1242 - 1252

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