Abstract

Background:
This study explored the patterns of juice consumption in Benghazi, Libya, focusing specifically on packaged fruit juice from Tetra Pak. Inquiries were made into the demographic factors, motivations of consumption, and awareness of the nutritional value of juice.

Aim:
It was designed to collect data on demographics, consumption habits, and residents’ knowledge about the nutritional content of Tetra Pak fruit juice.

Methods:
This cross-sectional study was carried out on adults in Benghazi.

Results:
This study discovered that there was a significant prevalence of the consumption of Tetra Pak packaged fruit juice in young to middle-aged adults, with a slightly higher consumption rate among males. Approximately half (45.5%) of the participants preferred locally manufactured juices, reflecting trust in local products and perhaps a desire to support the local economy. On the other hand, a considerable portion (26.8%) does not drink juice, indicating awareness of other healthier alternatives or concerns about the quality of available products. Most participants (82.25%) preferred consuming fresh fruits over juices, indicating an advanced health awareness of the superiority of fresh fruits over processed juices. The main reason they chose juice was its convenience, as opposed to the perceived difficulty of daily consumption of fresh fruits. The top considerations were the juice’s taste and quality; however, the knowledge of the juice’s nutritional content varied.

Conclusion:
The current study underlines the prevailing popularity of Tetra Pak fruit juice and uncovers a gap in the general population’s knowledge of the juice’s nutritional content in Benghazi, Libya. Thus, it underlines the need for better consumer awareness regarding healthy juice consumption practices.

Key words: Consumption, Fruit juice, Tetra Pak.