Understanding Food Safety Among Chinese Students and Characterization of Foodborne Microorganisms in Corresponding University

This study focused on Chinese university students' perceptions of food safety and the characteristics of foodborne microorganisms in university canteens. The study assessed the level of food safety knowledge, attitudes and behaviours (KAP) of 559 students at Suzhou Medical College through a questionnaire survey. In addition, the microbial community of a canteen at Soochow University was analysed in detail using 16S RNA high-throughput sequencing to predict its potential pathogenicity. The results showed that most students had deficiencies in food safety knowledge and personal hygiene practices. A variety of microorganisms, including Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, were detected in the environmental samples of the canteen, which may cause gastrointestinal diseases. Microbial community analyses revealed significant differences between food and non-food environmental samples, implying the importance of different sample types in determining the microbiological composition of food products. In addition, functional prediction analyses and microbial correlation studies suggest that human-derived microorganisms may influence the functionality and pathogenicity of microorganisms, which, in turn, may affect metabolic functions in humans. This study highlights the importance of enhancing food safety education and improving environmental hygiene standards in canteens in public health and provides a scientific basis for the implementation of effective food safety monitoring measures in university canteens to help prevent foodborne microbial infections.