SIX in 10 Scots try to steer clear of additives in their diet but half of us are unaware of just how much we consume.
One in two think they eat up to 10 additives a day, when in fact a study reveals we eat 20 on average and in some cases up to 50.
The study was commissioned by Birds Eye as part of its ongoing research into diets and nutritional concerns.
It also compared the levels of additives and preservatives in chilled ready meals, frozen ready meals and home cooked meals.
A significant misunderstanding of where additives are found was also revealed.
Most Scots think that cooking all meals from scratch will help avoid additives, yet research showed home cooking averaged 19 additives over a day - just one less than across the whole study's average of 20.2.
Nutritionist and registered dietician Jill Scott said: "Consumers should learn how to read food labels so they know exactly what they are buying and eating.
"Even if something is in the chiller cabinet, look at the ingredients and the shelf life."
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