Judul: Public Perception of the Function and Consumption Pattern of Monosodium Glutamat (MSG) in the Greater Jakarta Area.
Abstrak: Monosodium glutamat merupakan bahan tambahan pangan yang memiliki sifat sebagai penegas rasa. WHO dan Permenkes telah menetapkan batas aman mengonsumsi MSG, namun kontroversi MSG di masyarakat tetap berkembang. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pola penggunaan MSG pada masyarakat di wilayah Jabodetabek, menganalisis persepsi dan tingkat pemahaman konsumen mengenai fungsi dan keamanan MSG, faktor-faktor yang memengaruhi keputusan konsumen terhadap pembelian MSG, serta loyalitas konsumen. Metode dalam penelitian menggunakan probability sampling dengan jenis purposive sampling. Analisis data menggunakan uji deskriptif, uji deskriptif kuantitatif dan uji chi square. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa tingkat pengetahuan responden mengenai definisi MSG dan kandungan natrium dalam MSG sudah sangat baik, tingkat pengetahuan responden mengenai proses pembuatan MSG juga sudah baik. Tingkat pemahaman warga Jabodetabek mengenai fungsi MSG sebagai sumber rasa umami sudah sangat baik. Persepsi responden mengenai tingkat keamanan MSG juga sudah baik, responden memahami bahwa MSG tidak berdampak langsung terhadap penurunan tingkat kesehatan serta kebodohan. Masyarakat Jabodetabek lebih sering menggunakan MSG dengan frekuensi 1-2 kali sehari (48,62%). Jumlah MSG yang sering ditambahkan dalam masakan oleh masyarakat Jabodetabek sebesar kurang dari 1 sdt/hari (63,61%). Sebagian besar responden menambahkan MSG sebelum masakan matang (80,43%). Faktor yang memengaruhi keputusan konsumen terhadap pembelian MSG diantaranya berita, harga, merek, tempat penjualan, desain kemasan, iklan, serta kebiasaan. Faktor yang mempengaruhi loyalitas konsumen diantaranya kualitas produk, pelayanan penjual serta rekomendasi orang lain., Monosodium glutamat is a food additives which has properties as a flavor enhancer. WHO and the Minister of Health have set a safe limit for consuming MSG, but the controversy over MSG in the community continues to grow. This study aims to determine the pattern of MSG consumption in people in the Greater Jakarta area, analyze consumer perceptions and levels of understanding about the function and safety of MSG, the factors that influence consumer decisions to purchase MSG, and consumer loyalty. The method in this research use probability sampling with purposive sampling type. Data analysis used descriptive test, quantitative descriptive test and chi square test. The results showed that the respondent's level of knowledge regarding the definition of MSG and the sodium content in MSG was very good, the respondent's level of knowledge about the process of making MSG was also good. The level of understanding of Jabodetabek residents regarding the function of MSG as a source of umami taste is very good. Respondents' perception of the safety level of MSG is also good, respondents understand that MSG does not have a direct impact on decreasing levels of health and ignorance. Jabodetabek people use MSG more often with a frequency of 1-2 times a day (48.62%). The amount of MSG that is often added to food by the people of Jabodetabek is less than 1 tsp/day (63.61%). Most of the respondents added MSG before cooking (80.43%). Factors that influence consumer decisions to purchase MSG include news, price, brand, place of sale, packaging design, advertising, and habits. Factors that influence consumer loyalty include product quality, seller service and recommendations from others.
Keyword: BTP, consumer perception, consumption patterns, MSG, online survey