Use of food product information in consumption decision among female workers in Nigerian state universities

Abstract

The use of food product information is a globally acknowledged food safety measure. This study surveyed the use of food product information as a determinant of consumption of packaged foods among 561 female academic and non-academic staff of eight state universities in Nigeria using the multi-stage random sampling technique. Data was analyzed with descriptive statistic and binary logistic regression. The findings showed that the use of food product information is a determinant of consumption of packaged foods among the respondents; however, the majority based their consumption decisions on the availability of a National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) registration number. The study concludes that female workers in Nigerian state universities are not taking full advantage of all the food product information available on packaged foods and therefore recommends that NAFDAC intensifies awareness campaigns on the importance of using all food product information available on packaged foods. Also, information professionals should collaborate with public health experts to organize seminars and conferences to further enlighten the public and members of the academic community on the usefulness of this food safety measure.