Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perception and use of flavor enhancer products. This study was carried out through questionnaire and the subjects were 503 housewives in Inchon. The results are summarized as follows. As for age, 51.9% of the subjects were 40 years or older. Also, 60.0% of the subjects had received a high school education. As for occupation, full-time housewives accounted for 63.7%. Monthly household income of most subjects were 1 million won or more, and monthly food expenses of most subjects were 300 thousand won or more. Also 71.0% of subjects lived in apartments. As for taste of flavor enhancer products, 58.3% of subjects perceived that it was mediocre, 31.3% said good, 6.2% said bad, and 1.8% said very bad. Most subjects perceived that the convenience of flavor enhancer products was good and there was a significant difference among the groups divided by education level. As for economy of flavor enhancer products, there were significant differences among groups divided by household income and food expenses. Most subjects perceived that the safety of flavor enhancer products was not good. Most subjects considered the date of manufacture, manufacturers, food additives, packaging and price when they purchased flavor enhancer products. Also, 70.0% of subjects were going to reduce the amount of flavor enhancer products they use in the future. Most subjects needed flavor enhancer products good for health. Therefore, it may be necessary to develop and to produce safe, nutritious, tasty, cheap and various flavor enhancer products.

• Keywords: flavor enhancer; monosodium glutamate; nucleotides; complex flavor enhacer