114 Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment, Vol.6 (3&4), July-October 2008 Packaged foods, consumption pattern and impact on the environment in Zaria, Nigeria Ivy I. Odunze 1 *, A. Z. Mohammed 2 , E. Ike 2 , P. E. Onuigbo 2 and E. M. Shuaibu-Imodagbe 3 1 Home and Rural Economics, Samaru College of Agriculture/Division of Agricultural Colleges (DAC), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. 2 Department of Vocational and Technical Education, Faculty of Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. 3 Samaru College of Agriculture/DAC, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. *e-mail: odunzeivyihuomaihuoma@yahoo.com Received 11 April 2008, accepted 20 August 2008. Abstract Packaged foods, consumption pattern and impact on the environment was studied in Zaria, Nigeria (Long. 7 0 30’-7 o 50’E and Lat. 11 o 00’-11 o 50’N). Convenient (packaged) foods are easier to prepare, save time, easy to store, reduce wastage and makes the task of food preparation by housewives, workers and students easier. For example in urban homes, women simply do not have the time to spend in shop queues or cooking time for breakfast meals in particular. Therefore, the pre-packaged, pre-priced goods available even in supermarket shops are a tremendous time saving device; thus providing convenience to the household. This study therefore aims to determine food materials commonly preferred by consumers in Zaria area as convenience foods, consumers preferred food packaging materials and food packaging material more commonly seen littering the Zaria environment. The study was therefore conducted using survey method, and interviews were employed for the non-literates in the sample areas. Stratified sampling technique was used to sample population of the institutions and business sector in Zaria. Data obtained were analyzed using analysis of variance [ANOVA] procedure for means, standard deviations and tests of significance at P>0.05. Results showed that among reasons adduced by respondents for patronizing packaged food products include convenience, cost, quantity and disposability. Convenience (28.2%) was rated highest as reason for patronizing packaged food products, and consumers’ prefer plastic food packaging materials to metal, glass or paper. Attributes that least influenced consumers’ choice of package food products patronized in Zaria include colour (6.0%) and physical shape of the package (5.7%). This would suggest that food products that are well protected and the package can be re-used/recycled and have acceptable nutritional information clearly written on the package and the ease with which the packaging can be opened are attributes mostly driving packaged food products patronage in Zaria. However, consumers’ food pattern is tilting towards packaged food product in Zaria and calls for further governmental quality control measures to promote consumers good health. Plastic waste food packaging materials do not degrade easily in the environment and constitute risk to health and environmental beauty. Key words: Consumption, food, packaging, environment, Zaria. www Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment Vol.6 (3&4) : 114-117. 2008 .world-food.net Meri-Rastilantie 3 B, FI-00980 WFL Publisher Science and Technology Helsinki, Finland e-mail: info@world-food.net Introduction Packaging of foods has been an age-old practice; for example, early man wrapped food items with leaves and goats’ skin 7 . In the present day, however, food items are packaged in plastics, metals, tins/cans, bottles, paper and wooden cartons, thus justifying food packaging relevance. However, convenient (packaged) foods are easier to prepare, save time, easy to store, reduce wastage and make the task of food preparation by housewives, workers and students easier. For example in urban homes, women simply do not have the time to spend in shop queues or cooking time for breakfast meals in particular 9 . This arises from the morning rush of urban families to report early to work, school and so on. Therefore, the pre-packaged, pre-priced goods available even in supermarket shops are a tremendous time saving device; thus providing convenience to the household 9 . These attributes of convenience foods have necessitated the investigation of packaged foods consumption pattern and impact of these on the Zaria environment. Zaria is a metropolitan and academic town located in Kaduna State Nigeria (Long.7°30’-7°50’East, and Lat. 11 o 00’-11 o 50’North). Academic and ministerial institutions located in Zaria town include Ahmadu Bello University, National Institute for Transport Technology, National Research Institute for Chemical and Leather Technology, Nigerian Military Schools, Federal Government Girls College, Federal College of Education, Nigerian Railways, Federal College of Aviation, Nuhu Bamali Polythecnique, Federal and State Ministries and State Government Colleges. Zaria town therefore houses several workers, students, travelers, etc. who need convenience foods in order to save time and attend to their other daily engagements (travels, works and/or study). The impact of this compelled change in consumption pattern on the Zaria environment deserves closer attention. This study; therefore aims at evaluating the following: i) to determine food materials commonly preferred by consumers in Zaria area as convenience foods; ii) to determine consumers preferred food packaging materials and iii) to determine which food packaging material is more commonly seen littering the Zaria environment.