Revised; Originally Published: 2007 / 2 pp.

Houve um crescimento no consumo de alimentos fora do domicílio nas últimas décadas, impulsionado pela urbanização, economia, fatores demográficos e participação das mulheres no mercado de trabalho. O consumo em restaurantes de hotéis passou de 1,4 kg para 7,2 kg per capita entre 2005 e 2014 e apesar de seguir as orientações sanitárias, pode ser risco à saúde humana, devido ao tipo de prato, matéria prima ou cozimento. Assim, foram avaliados os cardápios de hotéis através de um índice de risco sanitário para os usuários, e comparou-se este índice médio do cardápio com características organizacionais e demográficas dos hotéis, seu sucesso midiático e a percepção do pessoal de problemas sanitários. Foi possível mostrar que há um conhecimento de risco pelo maior preço de pratos com risco mais alto. Os hotéis com mais risco têm cardápios mais variados e taxa de ocupação mais alta, sem diferença nos demais critérios demográficos. O pessoal de atendimento tem mais consciência de riscos que a gerência e avaliações midiáticas são menores nos hotéis de maior risco. Quanto à gestão do restaurante pelo hotel, este se mostrou mais segura para os hóspedes na gestão, sendo os restaurantes independentes mais ativos em número de pratos e turismo gastronômico, o que leva a uma melhor avaliação midiática, independente do maior risco. A avaliação do risco médio do cardápio pode levar uma melhor segurança sanitária do hóspede, mas existem outros fatores mercadológicos que podem interferir no cardápio do restaurante. Este conhecimento de risco sanitário pode orientar a escolha mercadológica do restaurante do hotel, provendo um elemento de julgamento da oferta de alimentos que podendo aumentar a fidelização e a segurança sanitária dos hóspedes. A alimentação segura de hóspedes é um processo extremamente importante para o sucesso da hotelaria, já que estes são associados a problemas pelos clientes, o que implica em maior cuidado sanitário na atual expansão do turismo de negócio e lazer no Brasil. / There has been an increase in consumption of food outside the home in the last decades, driven by urbanization, economy, demographic factors and women\'s participation in the labor market. The consumption in hotel restaurants went from 1.4 kg to 7.2 kg per capita between 2005 and 2014 and despite following the sanitary guidelines, can be risk to human health, by type of dish, raw food or cooking. Thus, we evaluated the hotel menus through a sanitary risk index for the users, and compared this average menu index with organizational and demographic characteristics of the hotels, their media success and the staff\'s perception of health problems. It was possible to show that there is a knowledge of risk by the higher price of dishes with higher risk. The hotels with more risk have more varied menus and higher occupancy rate, with no difference in the other demographic criteria. Service staff are more aware of risks that management and media reviews are lower in hotels at higher risk. As for the management of the restaurant by the hotel, this is safer for guests in hotel management, with independent restaurants more active in number of dishes and gastronomic tourism, which leads to a better media assessment, regardless of the greater risk. The evaluation of the average risk of the menu may lead to a better sanitary security of the guest, but there are other marketing factors that can interfere with the menu of the restaurant. This knowledge of sanitary risk can guide the market choice of the hotel restaurant, providing an element of judgment of the food supply that can increase the loyalty and sanitary security of the guests. The safe feeding of guests is an extremely important process for the success of the hotel industry, since these are associated with problems by the clients, which implies in greater health care in the current expansion of business and leisure tourism in Brazil.

Houve um crescimento no consumo de alimentos fora do domicílio nas últimas décadas, impulsionado pela urbanização, economia, fatores demográficos e participação das mulheres no mercado de trabalho. O consumo em restaurantes de hotéis passou de 1,4 kg para 7,2 kg per capita entre 2005 e 2014 e apesar de seguir as orientações sanitárias, pode ser risco à saúde humana, devido ao tipo de prato, matéria prima ou cozimento. Assim, foram avaliados os cardápios de hotéis através de um índice de risco sanitário para os usuários, e comparou-se este índice médio do cardápio com características organizacionais e demográficas dos hotéis, seu sucesso midiático e a percepção do pessoal de problemas sanitários. Foi possível mostrar que há um conhecimento de risco pelo maior preço de pratos com risco mais alto. Os hotéis com mais risco têm cardápios mais variados e taxa de ocupação mais alta, sem diferença nos demais critérios demográficos. O pessoal de atendimento tem mais consciência de riscos que a gerência e avaliações midiáticas são menores nos hotéis de maior risco. Quanto à gestão do restaurante pelo hotel, este se mostrou mais segura para os hóspedes na gestão, sendo os restaurantes independentes mais ativos em número de pratos e turismo gastronômico, o que leva a uma melhor avaliação midiática, independente do maior risco. A avaliação do risco médio do cardápio pode levar uma melhor segurança sanitária do hóspede, mas existem outros fatores mercadológicos que podem interferir no cardápio do restaurante. Este conhecimento de risco sanitário pode orientar a escolha mercadológica do restaurante do hotel, provendo um elemento de julgamento da oferta de alimentos que podendo aumentar a fidelização e a segurança sanitária dos hóspedes. A alimentação segura de hóspedes é um processo extremamente importante para o sucesso da hotelaria, já que estes são associados a problemas pelos clientes, o que implica em maior cuidado sanitário na atual expansão do turismo de negócio e lazer no Brasil. / There has been an increase in consumption of food outside the home in the last decades, driven by urbanization, economy, demographic factors and women\'s participation in the labor market. The consumption in hotel restaurants went from 1.4 kg to 7.2 kg per capita between 2005 and 2014 and despite following the sanitary guidelines, can be risk to human health, by type of dish, raw food or cooking. Thus, we evaluated the hotel menus through a sanitary risk index for the users, and compared this average menu index with organizational and demographic characteristics of the hotels, their media success and the staff\'s perception of health problems. It was possible to show that there is a knowledge of risk by the higher price of dishes with higher risk. The hotels with more risk have more varied menus and higher occupancy rate, with no difference in the other demographic criteria. Service staff are more aware of risks that management and media reviews are lower in hotels at higher risk. As for the management of the restaurant by the hotel, this is safer for guests in hotel management, with independent restaurants more active in number of dishes and gastronomic tourism, which leads to a better media assessment, regardless of the greater risk. The evaluation of the average risk of the menu may lead to a better sanitary security of the guest, but there are other marketing factors that can interfere with the menu of the restaurant. This knowledge of sanitary risk can guide the market choice of the hotel restaurant, providing an element of judgment of the food supply that can increase the loyalty and sanitary security of the guests. The safe feeding of guests is an extremely important process for the success of the hotel industry, since these are associated with problems by the clients, which implies in greater health care in the current expansion of business and leisure tourism in Brazil.

A infecção por Salmonela é a principal causa de diarréia no Brasil e os ovos contaminados e alimentos preparados a base destes, estão associados a esta ocorrência. Para avaliar as práticas adotadas pelos consumidores durante a compra, armazenamento e manipulação de ovos nos domicílios, relacionar as preparações a base destes com o risco de salmonelose e verificar a percepção da população estudada quanto aos problemas para a saúde causados pelo consumo de ovos crus e mal cozidos foi realizado um levantamento no período de março a junho de 2009, a partir do preenchimento de questionários por amostra (n=664) composta de pais de alunos de escolas de educação infantil municipais e particulares em um município paulista. Foi criado o Índice de Boas Práticas Ponderado (IBPp) e calculado através de ponderação as respostas conforme adequação. A média do consumo mensal per capita de ovos encontrada foi de 4,55. Dos participantes, 77% declarou comprar ovos em super/hipermercados, 81% relatou encontrá-los fora de refrigeração nos locais de venda. Observou-se probabilidade 2,41 vezes maior dos ovos serem comercializados mantidos sob refrigeração em locais com produção familiar. A validade foi o critério mais relevante (69,4% das citações) para a decisão de compra, 79,5% descartava ovos rachados ou quebrados, 65,1% armazenava na porta da geladeira e 43,5% não realizava procedimento de limpeza antes da sua utilização. O IBPp foi considerado médio para 59,8% e adequado para 6,5% dos participantes da pesquisa e relacionou-se positivamente ao nível de exigência no momento da compra pelo consumidor. Das preparações que oferecem risco, identificou-se o maior consumo do ovo frito com gema mole (44,5%), seguido por suflês, musses, coberturas de bolos com ovos crus (20,8%). Da população estudada, 61,3% declarou já ter relacionado algum sintoma de doença gastrointestinal com o consumo de alimento. Ainda, 27,3% relacionou a existência do risco de contaminação às condições higiênicas durante o preparo dos alimentos e estes participantes relataram consumir menos preparos com ovos crus e mal cozidos em relação aos que não tem esta percepção. É necessário que haja adequação das práticas adotadas durante a compra, armazenamento, manipulação e preparo seguro de ovos no domicílio para a diminuição do risco de infecção por Salmonella e o planejamento de programas ou ações educativas mais eficazes para a população visando orientá-la para que as práticas adotadas sejam seguras. / The infection caused by Salmonella is the main cause of diarrhea in Brazil and the contaminated food prepared with eggs are associated with this occurrence. To evaluate practices adopted by consumers concerning purchase, storage and handling of eggs and to relate the preparation of eggs consumed with the risk of salmonellosis and to verify the perception of the studied population regarding health problems caused by the consumption of raw or undercooked eggs, a survey was conducted from March to June 2009, by filling out questionnaires for sample in a city of São Paulo state (n = 664) composed by parents of students of public and private preschools. The Good Practice Weighted Index (IGPw) was created and calculated pondering the answers by adjustment. The average of monthly consumption of eggs per capita found was 4.55. From the total participants, 77% stated that their eggs came from regular supermarkets, 81% reported that they were out of refrigeration at the points of sale. There was a 2.41 times higher probability of the commercialized eggs being under proper refrigeration when sold by local merchants. The expire date criteria was more relevant (69.4% of quotations) for the decision of purchase, 79,5% didnt use cracked or broken eggs, 65,1% of costumers store their eggs in the refrigerators door and 43,5% didnt clean them before use. IGPw was considered average to 59,8% and appropriate for 6,5% of survey participants and it was related positively to the purchase requirement level used by the consumer. The preparations what offer risky identified were fried egg with runny yolk (44.5% of quotation), followed by souffles, mousses and cakes with topping prepared with raw eggs (20.8%). From the population studied, 61.3% stated already have referenced some symptoms of gastrointestinal disease related with the consumption of food. Still, 27.3% related the risk of contamination and hygienic conditions during food preparation. These participants consumed less inadequate preparations with eggs than those who didnt have that perception. Adequate practices must be adopted during the purchase, storage and handling of eggs at home in order to decrease the risk of infection by Salmonella and is necessary educational programs in order to ensure that good and safe practices will be adopted by population.

Com o objetivo de estabelecer associações entre as características dos consumidores de produtos lácteos com a preferência pelo produto lácteo formal ou informal, as razões para essa preferência, o hábito de fervura do leite dentre os consumidores de informal, os principais produtos lácteos consumidos, o conhecimento sobre as doenças transmitidas pelo leite e derivados e o significado do carimbo do Serviço de Inspeção, para que pudessem servir de base para ações futuras de intervenção para a redução do consumo de informais, realizou-se um levantamento utilizando um questionário semi-estruturado, com 29 questões, aplicado a 465 consumidores em diferentes pontos comerciais do município de Jacareí, no período de novembro de 2004 a fevereiro de 2005. Os resultados mostraram associação entre o consumo do produto informal e as características: sexo masculino, local de moradia zona rural, renda familiar acima de R$ 1.040,00, mais de 4 pessoas morando no domicílio, compra de ambulantes, compra na zona rural e o conhecimento sobre a possibilidade do produto lácteo poder causar doenças. Associada ao consumo de produtos formais esteve apenas a variável compra em supermercado.Os produtos lácteos informais mais consumidos foram o leite fluido, queijo minas frescal, manteiga e iogurte. Dos consumidores de leite fluido 7,4% consomem leite informal sem ferver. As principais razões para o consumo do informal foram: ser mais puro, mais fresco, mais barato, mais forte, ter confiança em quem vende o produto, não ter diferença do industrializado, ser mais saudável e mais saboroso. Para os derivados formais, obteve-se primeiro a praticidade, seguida pela segurança ou procedência, higiene, não encontrarem do produtor, ser tratado ou testado, o costume, o sabor e o preço. Aproximadamente 17% dos consumidores alegaram procurar pelos carimbos da Inspeção na embalagem ao comprar leite ou derivados, no entanto nenhum consumidor se lembrou dos carimbos quando perguntados o que observavam na embalagem no ato da compra de produtos industrializados. Os meios de divulgação de informação escolhidos, em ordem de freqüência, foram: TV, rádio e através das escolas do ensino fundamental. Conclui-se que o consumo de produto lácteo informal independe de qualquer das variáveis estudadas, embora haja maior freqüência de consumo de informais entre homens, entre as pessoas que moram na zona rural, famílias com renda mais alta, maior número de pessoas por domicílio, quando há compra de ambulantes ou na zona rural e entre as pessoas que alegam ter conhecimento de que o leite transmite doenças; 7,4% dos entrevistados estão expostos ao risco de contrair alguma zoonose ou outra doença pelo consumo de leite cru sem ferver. A população precisa ser esclarecida sobre as reais diferenças entre os produtos industrializados e os informais, bem como sobre os órgãos que atestam a qualidade dos alimentos. A redução do risco será alcançada quando governo e indústria trabalharem, sistemática e continuamente, para mudar paradigmas e motivar mudança de hábitos / Intending to establish associations between dairy product consumers’ characteristics and the preference for a formal or informal dairy product, the reasons for this preference, the habit of boiling the milk among the informal product’s consumers, the main consumed dairy products, knowledge about milk and dairy product borne diseases and the meaning of the Inspection Service’s seal, so they could be a base for future intervention actions to reduce informal product consumption, a survey was carried out using a 29-question semi-structured questionnaire applied to 465 consumers at different points of sale in the city of Jacareí-SP-Brazil from November 2004 to February 2005. The results showed an association between the consumption of the informal product and the following characteristics: male, rural area residence, family income above R$ 1,040.00, more than 4 residents, purchase from street vendors, purchase in the rural area and knowledge that the dairy product can cause diseases. Only the supermarket purchase variable was associated to formal product consumption. The most consumed informal dairy products were: liquid milk, fresh white cheese, butter and yogurt. 7.4% of the liquid milk consumers consume raw milk without boiling it. The main reasons for consuming the informal dairy product were: for being purer, fresher, cheaper, stronger, for trusting who sells the product, for not being different from the industrialized product and for being healthier and tastier. For the formal dairy products, first came practicality, then safety or origin, hygiene, not finding from the producer, being treated or tested, custom, taste and price. About 17% of the consumers said they look for the Inspection seals on the package when they buy milk or dairy products; however no consumer remembered the seal when asked what they observed on the package upon buying industrialized products. The chosen disclosure means, in order of frequency were: TV, radio and through middle schools. The conclusion is that the consumption of informal dairy products does not depend on any of the studied variables, although there is a higher frequency of informal dairy product consumption among men, among those who live in the rural area, families with higher income, higher number of residents per house, when purchased from street vendors and in the rural area and among people who say they know that milk spreads diseases; 7.4% of those interviewed are exposed to the risk of getting some zoonosis or other disease by consuming raw not-boiled milk. The population must be informed about the real differences between industrialized and informal dairy products, as well as about the authorities that certify food quality. Risk reduction will be reached when the government and industry systematically and continuously work to change paradigms and motivate habit changes

Com o objetivo de estabelecer associações entre as características dos consumidores de produtos lácteos com a preferência pelo produto lácteo formal ou informal, as razões para essa preferência, o hábito de fervura do leite dentre os consumidores de informal, os principais produtos lácteos consumidos, o conhecimento sobre as doenças transmitidas pelo leite e derivados e o significado do carimbo do Serviço de Inspeção, para que pudessem servir de base para ações futuras de intervenção para a redução do consumo de informais, realizou-se um levantamento utilizando um questionário semi-estruturado, com 29 questões, aplicado a 465 consumidores em diferentes pontos comerciais do município de Jacareí, no período de novembro de 2004 a fevereiro de 2005. Os resultados mostraram associação entre o consumo do produto informal e as características: sexo masculino, local de moradia zona rural, renda familiar acima de R$ 1.040,00, mais de 4 pessoas morando no domicílio, compra de ambulantes, compra na zona rural e o conhecimento sobre a possibilidade do produto lácteo poder causar doenças. Associada ao consumo de produtos formais esteve apenas a variável compra em supermercado.Os produtos lácteos informais mais consumidos foram o leite fluido, queijo minas frescal, manteiga e iogurte. Dos consumidores de leite fluido 7,4% consomem leite informal sem ferver. As principais razões para o consumo do informal foram: ser mais puro, mais fresco, mais barato, mais forte, ter confiança em quem vende o produto, não ter diferença do industrializado, ser mais saudável e mais saboroso. Para os derivados formais, obteve-se primeiro a praticidade, seguida pela segurança ou procedência, higiene, não encontrarem do produtor, ser tratado ou testado, o costume, o sabor e o preço. Aproximadamente 17% dos consumidores alegaram procurar pelos carimbos da Inspeção na embalagem ao comprar leite ou derivados, no entanto nenhum consumidor se lembrou dos carimbos quando perguntados o que observavam na embalagem no ato da compra de produtos industrializados. Os meios de divulgação de informação escolhidos, em ordem de freqüência, foram: TV, rádio e através das escolas do ensino fundamental. Conclui-se que o consumo de produto lácteo informal independe de qualquer das variáveis estudadas, embora haja maior freqüência de consumo de informais entre homens, entre as pessoas que moram na zona rural, famílias com renda mais alta, maior número de pessoas por domicílio, quando há compra de ambulantes ou na zona rural e entre as pessoas que alegam ter conhecimento de que o leite transmite doenças; 7,4% dos entrevistados estão expostos ao risco de contrair alguma zoonose ou outra doença pelo consumo de leite cru sem ferver. A população precisa ser esclarecida sobre as reais diferenças entre os produtos industrializados e os informais, bem como sobre os órgãos que atestam a qualidade dos alimentos. A redução do risco será alcançada quando governo e indústria trabalharem, sistemática e continuamente, para mudar paradigmas e motivar mudança de hábitos / Intending to establish associations between dairy product consumers’ characteristics and the preference for a formal or informal dairy product, the reasons for this preference, the habit of boiling the milk among the informal product’s consumers, the main consumed dairy products, knowledge about milk and dairy product borne diseases and the meaning of the Inspection Service’s seal, so they could be a base for future intervention actions to reduce informal product consumption, a survey was carried out using a 29-question semi-structured questionnaire applied to 465 consumers at different points of sale in the city of Jacareí-SP-Brazil from November 2004 to February 2005. The results showed an association between the consumption of the informal product and the following characteristics: male, rural area residence, family income above R$ 1,040.00, more than 4 residents, purchase from street vendors, purchase in the rural area and knowledge that the dairy product can cause diseases. Only the supermarket purchase variable was associated to formal product consumption. The most consumed informal dairy products were: liquid milk, fresh white cheese, butter and yogurt. 7.4% of the liquid milk consumers consume raw milk without boiling it. The main reasons for consuming the informal dairy product were: for being purer, fresher, cheaper, stronger, for trusting who sells the product, for not being different from the industrialized product and for being healthier and tastier. For the formal dairy products, first came practicality, then safety or origin, hygiene, not finding from the producer, being treated or tested, custom, taste and price. About 17% of the consumers said they look for the Inspection seals on the package when they buy milk or dairy products; however no consumer remembered the seal when asked what they observed on the package upon buying industrialized products. The chosen disclosure means, in order of frequency were: TV, radio and through middle schools. The conclusion is that the consumption of informal dairy products does not depend on any of the studied variables, although there is a higher frequency of informal dairy product consumption among men, among those who live in the rural area, families with higher income, higher number of residents per house, when purchased from street vendors and in the rural area and among people who say they know that milk spreads diseases; 7.4% of those interviewed are exposed to the risk of getting some zoonosis or other disease by consuming raw not-boiled milk. The population must be informed about the real differences between industrialized and informal dairy products, as well as about the authorities that certify food quality. Risk reduction will be reached when the government and industry systematically and continuously work to change paradigms and motivate habit changes

A infecção por Salmonela é a principal causa de diarréia no Brasil e os ovos contaminados e alimentos preparados a base destes, estão associados a esta ocorrência. Para avaliar as práticas adotadas pelos consumidores durante a compra, armazenamento e manipulação de ovos nos domicílios, relacionar as preparações a base destes com o risco de salmonelose e verificar a percepção da população estudada quanto aos problemas para a saúde causados pelo consumo de ovos crus e mal cozidos foi realizado um levantamento no período de março a junho de 2009, a partir do preenchimento de questionários por amostra (n=664) composta de pais de alunos de escolas de educação infantil municipais e particulares em um município paulista. Foi criado o Índice de Boas Práticas Ponderado (IBPp) e calculado através de ponderação as respostas conforme adequação. A média do consumo mensal per capita de ovos encontrada foi de 4,55. Dos participantes, 77% declarou comprar ovos em super/hipermercados, 81% relatou encontrá-los fora de refrigeração nos locais de venda. Observou-se probabilidade 2,41 vezes maior dos ovos serem comercializados mantidos sob refrigeração em locais com produção familiar. A validade foi o critério mais relevante (69,4% das citações) para a decisão de compra, 79,5% descartava ovos rachados ou quebrados, 65,1% armazenava na porta da geladeira e 43,5% não realizava procedimento de limpeza antes da sua utilização. O IBPp foi considerado médio para 59,8% e adequado para 6,5% dos participantes da pesquisa e relacionou-se positivamente ao nível de exigência no momento da compra pelo consumidor. Das preparações que oferecem risco, identificou-se o maior consumo do ovo frito com gema mole (44,5%), seguido por suflês, musses, coberturas de bolos com ovos crus (20,8%). Da população estudada, 61,3% declarou já ter relacionado algum sintoma de doença gastrointestinal com o consumo de alimento. Ainda, 27,3% relacionou a existência do risco de contaminação às condições higiênicas durante o preparo dos alimentos e estes participantes relataram consumir menos preparos com ovos crus e mal cozidos em relação aos que não tem esta percepção. É necessário que haja adequação das práticas adotadas durante a compra, armazenamento, manipulação e preparo seguro de ovos no domicílio para a diminuição do risco de infecção por Salmonella e o planejamento de programas ou ações educativas mais eficazes para a população visando orientá-la para que as práticas adotadas sejam seguras. / The infection caused by Salmonella is the main cause of diarrhea in Brazil and the contaminated food prepared with eggs are associated with this occurrence. To evaluate practices adopted by consumers concerning purchase, storage and handling of eggs and to relate the preparation of eggs consumed with the risk of salmonellosis and to verify the perception of the studied population regarding health problems caused by the consumption of raw or undercooked eggs, a survey was conducted from March to June 2009, by filling out questionnaires for sample in a city of São Paulo state (n = 664) composed by parents of students of public and private preschools. The Good Practice Weighted Index (IGPw) was created and calculated pondering the answers by adjustment. The average of monthly consumption of eggs per capita found was 4.55. From the total participants, 77% stated that their eggs came from regular supermarkets, 81% reported that they were out of refrigeration at the points of sale. There was a 2.41 times higher probability of the commercialized eggs being under proper refrigeration when sold by local merchants. The expire date criteria was more relevant (69.4% of quotations) for the decision of purchase, 79,5% didnt use cracked or broken eggs, 65,1% of costumers store their eggs in the refrigerators door and 43,5% didnt clean them before use. IGPw was considered average to 59,8% and appropriate for 6,5% of survey participants and it was related positively to the purchase requirement level used by the consumer. The preparations what offer risky identified were fried egg with runny yolk (44.5% of quotation), followed by souffles, mousses and cakes with topping prepared with raw eggs (20.8%). From the population studied, 61.3% stated already have referenced some symptoms of gastrointestinal disease related with the consumption of food. Still, 27.3% related the risk of contamination and hygienic conditions during food preparation. These participants consumed less inadequate preparations with eggs than those who didnt have that perception. Adequate practices must be adopted during the purchase, storage and handling of eggs at home in order to decrease the risk of infection by Salmonella and is necessary educational programs in order to ensure that good and safe practices will be adopted by population.

Ethnic food markets and restaurants are the main source of immigrants’ traditional foods in South Africa. Despite this, the actual availability and accessibility of ethnic foods from the ethnic food markets and restaurants has not been investigated. Furthermore, factors that influence the role of ethnic foods in the diets of immigrants, like perceptions of Sub-Saharan Immigrants towards South Africa food culture, and the safety of ethnic foods have not been established. Although a number of studies have been conducted on the identification of microbial hazards of cooked food in the informal sector, none have been conducted on ethnic foods of Sub-Saharan Immigrants. Aim and objectives The aim of this study was to assess the availability and accessibility of Sub-Saharan African immigrants’ traditional food from ethnic food markets, shops and restaurants, establish immigrants’ perceptions towards South African’s food culture, and determine predictors of contamination of selected cooked food sold in the ethnic food markets, and restaurants. From this aim, eight objectives were formulated as follows: (i) describe the immigrants’ perceptions towards South Africa’s food culture, (ii) investigate the contribution of the ethnic food markets on the dietary patterns of immigrants, (iii) investigate the availability, and accessibility of the ethnic foods available in the ethnic food markets, and restaurants, (iv) document coping strategies adopted by immigrants when faced with shortage of their traditional foods or ingredients in South Africa (v) identify factors associated with a move away from their ethnic foods and adoption of South African foods, (vi) investigate the microbiological quality of selected cooked foods found in the ethnic food markets and restaurants, and (vii) investigate predictors of contamination of ethnic foods bought from the restaurants and markets. A cross-sectional research design using a mixed methods approach was adopted to achieve the objectives of this study. The mixed method employed three instruments, namely: questionnaire, checklist, and laboratory microbial analysis. The study was conducted in Tshwane and Johannesburg metropolitan municipalities. The study focused on two study populations: (i) immigrant households from West, East and Central Africa regions, and ii) entrepreneurs selling Sub-Saharan ethnic ready-to-eat (RTE) foods. The snowball sampling method was adopted to sample both study populations. A total of one hundred and ninety four (n=194) women and forty (n=40) entrepreneurs who met the inclusion criteria and agreed to participate were included in the study. A checklist was employed to assess restaurants and vending sites. Two samples of RTE ethnic foods were collected from each entrepreneur and submitted to the microbiology laboratory at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). Data obtained from the questionnaire, checklist and microbial analysis were analysed, and descriptive statistics were presented as tables and figures. Multivariable and binary logistic regression models were fitted to the data to assess predictors of adoption and contamination respectively. Results Ethnic foods still featured prominently in the diets of immigrants, with only 7.7 % (n=15) indicating that they strictly followed a South African diet. Ethnic food markets are the main sources of ethnic foods for immigrants living in Gauteng. Efforts to maintain ethnic diets by Sub-Saharan immigrants resident in South Africa are hindered by factors such as unaffordability (39.2%;n=76) and unavailability (25.3%; n=49) of their ethnic foods. Meanwhile, relying on less preferred food (38.7%; n=75) and replacing unavailable ingredients with similar ingredients (37.6%; n=73%) were identified as two main coping strategies that are adopted by immigrants when facing unavailability of their traditional food ingredients. Four patterns of dietary acculturation were identified, namely, strict continuity with traditional foods (21.6%; n=42), very limited adoption (21.1 %; n=39), limited adoption (50.5%; n=98) and complete adoption (7.7%; n=15) of South African foods. The following were the most common food items that the respondents tended to adopt: pap (84.5%; n=164); fried potato chips (43.8%; n=85); cold drinks (42.8%; n=83); fast foods (37.6%; n=73); sphathlo (30.9%; n=60); and vetkoek (30.4%; n=59). Four factors that were associated with adoption of South African foods included:  spending R2500-R3499 (OR 3.34; p=0.017) and 3500-4500 (OR 3.99; p=0.030) on food,  residing in the country between 3-6 years (OR 5.16; p=0.001),  earning between 5000-10 000 (OR 0.52; p=0.040) and >R11 000 (OR 0.380; p=0.057), and  being in part-time/temporary employment (OR 5.85; p=0.025). The majority of the ethnic food entrepreneurs were West Africans (70%; n=28), belonging mainly to the 30-49 years old age group (88%; n=35). Over 35%% (n=14) of the entrepreneurs indicated that they had completed high school education, while 42.5% (n=17) had tertiary education. The majority (80%, n= 34) of vendors of ethnic foods did not have a certificate in food handling or hygiene practices. The majority (95%, n=38) of entrepreneurs operated in permanent structures with ceilings and walls. A majority (95%; n=38) also had access to tap water and flushing toilets. However, ownership of appliances such as thermometers (0%, n=0), microwaves (55%, n=22), and freezers (37.5%, n=15) was very low. There was also low adherence with regards to the following aspects: wearing of protective clothing such as caps (40%; n=24), apron (62.5%, n=25) and gloves (0%, n=0); not wearing jewellery (50%; n=20); keeping fingernails short and clean; and proper reheating of food. Samples contaminated with total viable counts above the threshold of satisfactory counts (<10⁵ CFU/g) was very high (71.3% , n=57). Over twenty percent (22.5%; n=18) of the food samples had unsatisfactory levels of coliforms (>10 ³ CFU/g), and 17.5% (n=14) had unsatisfactory levels (>3 CFU/g) of E. coli. Salmonella was observed in only 3.8 % (n=3) food samples. Being new in business (OR=0.010, p=.033), owning a freezer (OR .477; p= .052), not owning a microwave (OR .013, p=.074), and reheating per serving (OR .187, p=.048) were identified as significant drivers of contamination. Conclusion In the two metropolitans that were investigated only 40 vendors of ethnic foods could be identified. This number is too low to be able to supply the whole immigrant community with ethnic foods. Thus their role as a contributor to household food security is limited. As a result, although the majority of immigrants attempt to preserve their traditional diets, high ethnic food prices and unavailability of traditional ingredients forces them into bicultural eating patterns. Although bicultural eating patterns are supposed to protect against food insecurity, the adoption of unhealthy dietary habits and could render them vulnerable to food insecurity. Lack of knowledge of South Africa foods results in poor food choices. In the long run these unhealthy eating patterns could have negative implications choices. In the long run these unhealthy eating patterns could have negative implications on the nutritional health of immigrants and the health system of South Africa. Therefore, studies to identify foods with similar taste and nutritious ingredients could aid prevention of obesity and lifestyle diseases and inform culture-specific nutrition education programmes. The high number of entrepreneurs without training on food hygiene and handling practices limits the role of the ethnic restaurants in the food security of immigrants living in Gauteng, and food quality is thus compromised. Therefore, there is a need for targeted training programmes which cater for the unique needs of the ethnic entrepreneurs to enable them to play a meaningful role in ensuring that immigrants who want to maintain their food culture are food secure. These programmes should also address the poor handling and hygiene practices that were observed in this study. This could be done by emphasising the World Health Organization’s (WHO) five keys to safer food. Results of the food contamination indicate that entrepreneurs are able to produce safe food, (as supported by only moderate contamination levels of coliforms and E. coli, which also suggests low risk of environmental and enteric contaminants). However, if these concerns are not addressed immediately by proper training and monitoring, they could further compromise the role played by ethnic food markets in food security. Training and monitoring programmes should place more emphasis on the four factors that were identified as drivers of contamination / Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology / Ph. D. (Agriculture)