Examining the food additives in meals prepared by cooks and matrons of senior high schools in Ghana - a case study of three (3) selected senior high schools in the Old-Tafo Municipality in the Ashanti Region

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the food additives in meals prepared by cooks and matrons of senior high schools in Ghana to find out about the different types of additives; the benefits and the potential harmful effects in the use of some of them; and finally to find some of the best ways which can be adopted to keep ourselves and families safe from the potentially harmful additives. After reviewing a lot of relevant literatures, the model for the research was developed based on three research questions that were asked and in answering those questions, a survey was conducted in three schools with a sample of 150 respondents comprising 18 kitchen staff members and 132 students. After analyzing and grouping all the data under the three research questions, it was discovered that some of the types of additives found in the ingredients used by the kitchen staff for meal preparations included flour improvers, flavor enhancers, color additives, Preservatives, softening/curing agents, and Salt and Sugar used as flavorants and/or preservatives. It was also found that, some of the benefits in the use of additives included preserving; improving/maintaining the color, texture, flavor or the nutritional value of foods; enhancing the safety of foods; and allowing foods to be transported over long distances. Finally, it was found that some of the best ways to adopt to be safe from harmful additives in our foods include trying to avoid most processed foods; checking on ingredient labels of food products for additive contents in order to avoid the harmful or potentially harmful ones; cutting down or lowering the daily intake of salt and sugar; including more wholesome or organic foods in our diets; and reporting any abnormality or additive concerns in food products to the authorities or the FDA for investigations and/or further actions to be taken.