Assessing food safety practices and foodborne illness risk factors in Brazilian households

Foodborne illnesses represent a pressing public health issue, with Brazilian households accounting for over a third of reported outbreaks in the country. This study aimed to investigate food handling practices in Brazilian homes, evaluating their influence on the self-reported occurrence of foodborne illnesses. A total of 1,043 respondents participated in the study. Data was collected through an online questionnaire that captured their demographic data, feeding hygiene behaviors, food storage and preparation habits. Cluster analysis identified four groups based on adherence to food safety practices. Key findings revealed significant deficiencies: only 3.07% utilize thermometer to check meat doneness, which prevents the ingestion of viable pathogens, 64.90% of participants use the same cutting board for raw meat and vegetables and only 32.70% reported washing packages before storing them in the refrigerator. Risk factor analysis highlighted that older adults and males reported fewer foodborne illness, while cluster that adhered less to proper food manipulation exhibited higher illness rates. Our findings emphasize the urgent need for targeted educational campaigns to address critical gaps, such as discouraging meat washing and promoting safe storage practices. This study underscores the importance of innovative interventions to reduce household foodborne illnesses, contributing to improved public health outcomes.