Analisis Pengetahuan Keamanan Pangan dalam Pemilihan Makanan dan Penggunaan Media Sosial serta Keluhan Kesehatan pada Mahasiswa Universitas Sumatera Utara

Abstract

Food safety in Indonesia remains a serious issue due to weak supervision during processing and distribution stages. Moreover, the high use of social media influences students' consumption patterns, leading them to choose instant and fast food without considering safety aspects, thereby increasing the risk of health problems. This study aims to describe food safety knowledge, food choices, social media usage, and health complaints among students. This research employed a quantitative design with a descriptive approach, involving 98 undergraduate students of Universitas Sumatera Utara, batch 2022, selected using the accidental sampling technique. The results showed that most students (96,9%) had a high level of food safety knowledge, reflecting a good understanding of its basic principles. A total of 51,02% of students were categorized as having moderate food choice behavior, with a tendency to choose instant food due to practicality and recommendations on social media. In addition, 82,65% of students reported a moderate level of social media usage related to food information. The most frequently reported health complaints were sore throat (59,2%), headache (43,9%), nausea (40,8%), diarrhea (37,8%), skin itching (23,5%), and vomiting (11,2%),, indicating possible contamination by microorganisms or the use of unsafe food additives. The high number of health complaints emphasizes the importance of increasing awareness and applying food safety principles. Students are expected to be more selective in choosing food and actively seek valid food information, while universities are encouraged to strengthen education related to food safety.