O impacto do conhecimento de química na escolha de alimentos industrializados através dos rótulos

Abstract

Food is essential for maintaining human life and, when balanced, contributes significantly to physical and cognitive development. However, the fast-paced routine of contemporary society has led people to choose food more for practicality than nutritional quality, which has increased the rate of consumption of ready-made foods. The aim of this study was to understand the impact of chemistry knowledge on the choice of industrialized food through labels by higher education students. A total of 85 students from public and private institutions took part in the study, 42 of them from the Chemistry degree course, 25 from other degrees (Geography, Literature, History and Pedagogy) and 18 from Engineering courses. The data was compiled using a questionnaire, divided into four sections: the first was for reading and agreeing to take part in the research by signing the Free and Informed Consent Form; the second section was on the student and sociodemographic profile; the third on behavior related to food labels; and the fourth section on chemical knowledge about processed foods. The data analysis approach was qualitative. Most of the students answered that they have the habit of looking at food labels when shopping, but they don't consider the labels to be clear and easy to understand. It was found that although chemistry undergraduates are more familiar with content directly related to food chemistry and labeling, this technical knowledge does not translate linearly into more critical or judicious behavior when making purchases. Therefore, it can be reflected that choices of industrialized foods are not necessarily influenced by formally acquired chemical knowledge, but rather by pre-existing conceptions and external influences, such as the media and food culture. In this sense, there is a need for greater encouragement of food education and chemistry applied to everyday life, with the aim of making individuals aware of how to read labels critically and make more informed decisions.