Assessing Public Knowledge and Practices Toward Bacterial Food Poisoning Prevention and Treatment Related to Meat Consumption in Saudi Arabia

Background: Meat-related bacterial food poisoning remains an important public-health concern, and safe household food handling is essential for prevention. Objective: To assess food-poisoning knowledge, household meat-handling practices, and associated factors among adults in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey using convenience sampling through social media was conducted from July 2025 to January 2026. Recognition scores were analyzed using ordinary least squares with HC3 robust covariance. Additional analyses were specified before model fitting but were not prospectively prespecified in the original protocol. The study-specific questionnaire was not formally validated. Results: Among 598 participants, improper meat storage (83.9%) and undercooked or raw meat consumption (83.3%) were the most frequently recognized causes. Only 10.9% reported using a food thermometer, while social media was the most frequently reported source of food-safety information. Conclusions: Important gaps remain in meat-related food-safety knowledge and practices in Saudi Arabia. Targeted education on safe storage, thawing, thermometer use, and appropriate responses to suspected foodborne illness may help improve household food-safety practices.