Assessment of consumer demographics and food safety risks associated with ready-to-eat (RTE) homemade foods purchased online in the UAE.

ABSTRACT: In the UAE, female entrepreneurs, termed "Tajrat", sell a variety of homemade food products over online social media (OSM) platforms. Some of these food products are prepared and sold outside regulatory channels, with serious public health consequences. The study aimed to identify consumer demographics associated with purchasing of RTE, homemade food sold over in OSM platforms in the UAE and to assess the food quality by evaluating microbiological quality and fat percentage in RTE foods. A representative survey of the population of the UAE (n = 1303) was conducted, covering consumer demographics, frequency of purchase, and respondents' perception towards safety and nutritional value. 66 % of respondents were Emiratis, fifty percent of whom purchased RTE foods online. Moreover, 61 % of part

SUBMITTER: Mostafa H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10847867 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature