Exploring the consumption of maize products, side dishes and snacks preferred by consumers at a public tertiary institution in South Africa

Maize is a staple food for South Africans, yet maize meal (corn flour) does not provide enough sustenance, contributing to food insecurity and malnutrition. Nixtamalization used in Central America could benefit African countries where maize is the staple food. However, would the consumers in an ethnically diverse and multilingual society with different eating habits in various regions change their eating habits and patterns from well-known maize products and snacks to nixtamalized products? This study aimed to determine the relationship and frequency of the consumption of maize products, side dishes and snacks preferred by consumers of different provinces of origin and language speakers. One hundred respondents participated in a survey after tasting nixtamalized maize products. Pap (a meal served soft, stiff, phutu [crumbly], or as porridge) was frequently included in meals and eaten at different times of day with food items or side dishes by participants from all provinces and by all the language speakers. However, the relationships between side dishes and language were more prevalent. These findings should thus be considered when designing new maize products or intervention programs such as the implementation of nixtamalization.