The Relationship between Socioeconomic Status and Critical Violations in Food Establishments

Introduction: Numerous studies have investigated the impact of socioeconomic status (SES) on personal health. These studies have taken into account accessibility to different types of food markets, attitudes toward food products, and cost of food in different geographic areas.  Neighborhood characteristics such as poverty and racial composition have been examined using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to determine the correlation between these factors and obesity heart disease and diabetes.  Limited research has used GIS technology to track foodborne illness rates and food safety risks.   

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to use GIS technology to identify correlations between regional SES and the number of critical health code violations (CHV) found in food establishments located in the Rappahannock-Rapidan Health District of Virginia. 

Methods:  Data for the CHV was gathered from food establishment inspections conducted by the Virginia Department of Health during a six year period. Census tracts using natural breaks were used to divide the population within the study area into different poverty levels.  Inspection reports were used from food establishments located in the areas of low and high SES.  Twenty-two (22) census tracts, 187 food establishments, and 874 inspection reports were included in the final evaluation.

Results: Analysis of Variance indicated that facilities in areas of high SES had approximately 1.7 fewer critical violations than those in areas of low SES (P-values <0.05). When both SES groups were evaluated together, there were 1.1 more CHV in ethnic than non-ethnic food establishments (P=0.03). 

Significance: Socioeconomic status may impact risks for foodborne illness in retail food facilities. Targeting low SES communities for increased and customized food safety education and training through community outreach programs, schools, and social media would be a judicious use of resources.