Food safety perceptions and information needs of public health inspectors in HAIL Region IN THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA: A Quantitative Analysis.
INTRODUCTION .
In recent years, foodborne disease outcome and incidents of mass food poisoning indicates food safety as an essential issue needs immediate intervention. It has implications for public health as well as International Trade[ CITATION Flo10 l 1033 ]. Although much awareness campaigns and initiatives were launched by WHO and UN in the past about food safety, the issue still looms in and around the globe[ CITATION Tim12 l 1033 ]. The primary reason behind this is the perception of food safety differs from country to country. Based upon access to food science and detection technology, identification of food safety risk factors, protocols followed and risk mitigation strategies followed[ CITATION New10 l 1033 ]. .
LITERATURE REVIEW .
Food safety issues are prioritiszed in public health domain due its implications for international trade and revenue generation. The consumer's perception of food security affects their purchasing pattern which in turn affects the business. In 2006, Saudi Arabia registered 31 foods borne illness leading to reporting of 231 cases. The reporting was highest in the month of summer i.e. June to August accounting 65% approximate of reported cases. Out of total 231 reported cases, men constituted 67%, and 68% are adults. The most common causative agent found to cause the disease was Salmonella followed by Staphylococcus aureus. Meat has been implicated as the causative food, producing 68% of foodborne poisoning. .
The above figures represent the data of Qasim district in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2006[ CITATION AlG10 l 1033 ]. These facts can conclude foodborne illness as a major issue demanding interventions on a priority basis. Foodborne disease have been reported during Hajj such as diarrhoea and cholera[ CITATION AlT12 l 1033 ].