Analysis of Suspected Food Poisoning Incidents in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: An Epidemiological Perspective

Foodborne diseases (FBDs) pose significant challenges to public health and the food industry worldwide, including Saudi Arabia, where rapid urbanization, changes in dietary habits, and a growing food service sector have increased the risk of contamination. As a result, this study analyzed bacterial contamination in food samples from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and investigated food poisoning outbreaks in the city. A total of 7897 food samples and swabs collected between 2015 and 2018 were analyzed for coliforms, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus. Clinical data on food poisoning cases and outbreaks were also gathered to assess incidence rates and epidemiological trends. Bacterial identification followed ISO Standards and AOAC Official Methods. The results showed that 7.4% of the samples tested positive for the target pathogens: Salmonella (12.6%), Bacillus cereus (9.8%), and Staphylococcus aureus (3.4%). Females were found to have a slightly higher likelihood of food poisoning compared to males, with the highest incidence observed in the 20-49 age group. Common sources of foodborne illness included poultry (n = 93 cases), unclassified foods (n = 67), meat products (n = 45), rice (n = 38), vegetables (n = 36), and salads (n = 30). Food poisoning cases peaked in June, followed by April and August. This study highlights a significant gap in regional data on FBDs and emphasizes the need for improved surveillance and monitoring systems to reduce the incidence of foodborne illness in the region.