Retail food safety risks for populations of different demographics

Evidence indicates that individuals of low socioeconomic status (SES) and minority groups suffer greater rates of foodborne illness. Previous research has also indicated that these populations have different retail access to food than high SES populations. This study examined whether populations of different demographics are exposed to greater microbial risks on ready-to-eat foods available to them at the retail level.

The US Census Bureau was used to identify census tracts with high Asian, Hispanic, Caucasian and African American populations as well as high and low SES tracts. Databases were used to identify food store outlets available in those tracts. Eighty one food stores from 49 tracts were visited and 316 ready-to-eat food samples were purchased for microbiological testing. Food samples were tested for Aerobic Plate Count, coliforms, fecal coliforms, E. coli, S. aureus and L. monocytogenes.

African American, Hispanic and Asian areas showed a higher incidence of food samples with fecal coliforms than Caucasian areas (22%, 17.8% and 34.3% vs. 8.3%, respectively). Samples from African American tracts had a higher incidence of S. aureus (14%) than Asian, Hispanic and Caucasian areas (8.6%, 6.7% and 8.3%, respectively). Listeria ivannovi was identified in food samples from Hispanic and low socioeconomic areas but not from other areas. Incidence of E. coli was higher in low socioeconomic areas than high (13% vs. 2%) and not present at Caucasian areas. These results indicate that individuals of low socioeconomic status and of minority racial/ethnic background may face increased risks for foodborne illness at the retail level.