Food Safety Risk Perceptions in the Dumpster Diving Community and Analysis of Bacterial Burden in Discarded Foods

Abstract: The main topic of this study was dumpster diving (the act of retrieving discarded goods, in this case especially food, from waste containers) and the exploration of this activity from the infection biology viewpoint. Dumpster diving is a common way of accessing goods without spending economic resources, as well as an expression of anti-consumerism or civil disobedience. A biomedical perspective on this subject is novel, as it has mostly been studied and documented through the lens of socioeconomics. No substantial research has been done on the risks of contracting foodborne diseases through the consumption of discarded foods. A better understanding of the potential impact of dumpster diving on public health could better prevent infectious diseases. A laboratory investigation into microbial development in discarded foods has been performed based on a background of information gathered through interviews with supermarket operators and answers to an online questionnaire designed to explore the thoughts, habits, risk awareness, and risk mitigation techniques in the dumpster diving community. No increase in bacterial burden was recorded within the scope of this study. An increase, as well as a decrease of total aerobic bacterial count in food items was observed. It has also been shown that dumpster divers follow different procedures to reduce their risk of contracting a foodborne disease or poisoning, though those actions are not always evidence-based. Future studies are needed to map out all potential risks in connection with dumpster diving, as well as solutions for risk mitigation techniques.