Browsing by Author "Banah, Osama"

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Bacterial Risk Assessment of Cereals and Cereal Products in Saudi Arabia
(Saudi Digital Library, 2017) Banah, Osama; Davies, Belinda
Food is considered an essential element and core requirement for life. However, if contaminated by microbiological, physical or chemical agents, food can cause death or disease among those who consume it. For this reason, ensuring the safety of the food we eat is a crucial requirement in reducing the incidence of foodborne disease outbreaks. This can be expected to impact positively on the general health of the public in countries where such measures are adopted and enforced. This study aimed to identify and rank the microbiological hazards associated with foods commonly consumed in Saudi Arabia. We identified cereals and their products as the country’s most consumed food type, and a microbial risk assessment was conducted based on a version of the CODEX risk assessment framework developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization. The completed risk assessment identified cooked rice and cooked pasta as the highest-risk foods within the cereals and cereal products category. In addition, the bacteria identified as associated with these two types of food were also ranked according to their hazard level. Bacillus cereus was considered the highest risk, followed by Salmonella spp. (non-typhoidal) and then Staphylococcus aureus. The research also confirmed the importance of food safety skills and knowledge and the role of proper food handling techniques in preventing and reducing the likelihood of foodborne outbreaks.
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Social, Behavioural and Environmental Factors Influencing Foodborne Illness Among Saudi Arabian Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic
(Saudi Digital Library, 2023) Banah, Osama; Haswell, Melissa; Toms, Leisa-Maree
This body of research sought to identify often overlooked social, cultural and behavioural contributions to the measured frequency of foodborne illness among university students studying Public health in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia. Data was collected from 215 students through two surveys and monthly reporting of foodborne episodes over one year. A higher frequency of reported episodes was associated with some socially and culturally -influenced food access, preparation, storage and preferences in exploratory regression models. The methods and findings of this research can assist future studies to guide health promotion practices aiming to reduce foodborne illness.
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