PDF(Pubmed)
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 participants purchased from \"Tajrat\" via OSM as opposed to other sources. Convenience (47 %) and taste (41 %) were the main drivers for purchasing RTE homemade foods. Although 76 % of respondents have at least one member of their family considered vulnerable, the safety levels, quality, and nutritional value of such products did not carry the same significance. Microbiological analysis of 35 food samples purchased online from \"Tajrat\" was conducted. Listeria spp. was isolated from 22 % of the samples, 43 % showed positive Staphylococcus aureus, and 31 % of the samples had coliform bacteria. Total Fat Content of RTE homemade food samples ranged between 2.6 and 30 g/100 g which is considered high and can cause serious health issues if consumed frequently. Recommendations from this study will help policy makers and regulators in the UAE to develop and implement education strategies targeting homemade food handlers.
摘要：
在阿联酋，女企业家,称为“Tajrat”，通过在线社交媒体（OSM）平台销售各种自制食品。其中一些食品是在监管渠道之外制备和销售的，严重的公共健康后果。该研究旨在确定与购买RTE相关的消费者人口统计，在阿联酋的OSM平台上出售的自制食品，并通过评估RTE食品中的微生物质量和脂肪百分比来评估食品质量。对阿联酋人口进行了代表性调查（n=1303），涵盖消费者人口统计，购买频率,和受访者对安全和营养价值的看法。66%的受访者是阿联酋人，50%的人在网上购买RTE食品。此外，61%的参与者通过OSM从“Tajrat”购买，而不是其他来源。方便（47％）和口味（41％）是购买RTE自制食品的主要驱动力。尽管76%的受访者认为他们的家庭成员中至少有一名是脆弱的，安全等级,质量,和这些产品的营养价值没有同样的意义。对从“Tajrat”网上购买的35份食品样品进行了微生物分析。李斯特菌。从22%的样本中分离出来，43％的金黄色葡萄球菌呈阳性，31%的样本有大肠杆菌。RTE自制食品样品的总脂肪含量在2.6和30克/100克之间，这被认为是很高的，如果经常食用会导致严重的健康问题。这项研究的建议将有助于阿联酋的政策制定者和监管机构制定和实施针对自制食品处理者的教育策略。
