Indonesia Conference Directory

This study aims to analyze the content and classify types of snacks sold in high schools containing harmful food additives and analyze the level of student awareness of food additives and their cleanliness. This descriptive-analytic study took samples in the form of snacks sold in schools, as well as students as respondents. This research was conducted in four cities in East Java, i.e. Malang, Blitar, Pasuruan, and Bangkalan. The results showed that there were five types of hazardous food additives identified in 272 snacks samples; one food additive, methanil yellow, was not identified. As much as 103 samples (37.9%) containing harmful substances included borax by 53.9%, saccharine 21.6% (exceeding the threshold), cyclamate 13.7% (exceeding the threshold), Rhodamine-B (5.7%), and formalin 4.9%. Based on the types of snacks, 15 types contain hazardous food additives, most of which are identified in crackers and drinks. While the level of awareness of high school students about food additives and hygiene varied from the moderate level (73.1%), good (16.9%), and poor (10%).