UNDERSTANDING CONSUMER ATTITUDES TOWARD EGG SAFETY AND CHEMICAL RESIDUES

Eggs, while a global dietary staple, are at risk of contamination from banned substances such as nitrofurans, posing a significant health risk.This study aims to rigorously assess how knowledge of nitrofurans, educational attainment, and professional background influence the perceived importance of consuming eggs free from hazardous substances.A total of 284 respondents were surveyed, employing both descriptive and inferential statistical analyses via SPSS (version 16).The participants had a mean age of 29.1 years (Standard Deviation (SD) = 10.6), with 45.1% of the participants aged 18-25.Our findings indicate that 86.6% of respondents consider egg safety to be very important, with 90.1% aware of the hazards of nitrofurans and 82.4% seeking additional information on the topic.However, despite this high awareness, about one-third still purchased uncertified eggs, revealing the clear gap between knowledge and behavior that underscores the need for targeted interventions addressing not only information but also consumer trust and access to certified products.