Persepsi Masyarakat terhadap Fungsi dan Pola Penggunaan Monosodium Glutamat (MSG) di Wilayah Jabodetabek
Abstract
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.