Food borne Pathogen Contamination in Courier-based Food Delivery Systems: An Evidence from Zambia and Implications for Food Safety Surveillance

Abstract

Background: Food safety is a major global public health issue, with over 600 million annual illnesses caused by foodborne pathogens alongside risks from chemical contaminants. Aims: This study aimed to assess microbial contamination in food carriers used by courier bikers in Lusaka during the 2025-2026 cholera outbreak response, and to identify operational factors associated with contamination risk. Study Design: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Lusaka District, Zambia. Methodology: A total of 93 food carriers (bags, cooler boxes, and metal containers) were randomly sampled from courier bikers. Swabs were collected from internal surfaces and processed within 24 hours using standard microbiological culture and biochemical identification methods. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient, and logistic regression to determine associations between contamination and operational factors such as cleaning frequency, carrier type, years in service, and certification status. Results: Microbial contamination was detected in 69% of carriers. The most frequently isolated pathogens were Escherichia coli (30%), coagulase-negative Staphylococci (24%), and Staphylococcus aureus (18%). Additional isolates included Bacillus cereus (11%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (8%). Logistic regression revealed cleaning frequency as the strongest predictor of contamination, with infrequent cleaning associated with significantly higher odds ratios (26.5–94.7, p < .05). Carrier type was also associated to contamination risk, while years in service and certification status were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Inadequate cleaning practices and carrier design are primary drivers of microbiological risks in courier-based food delivery systems. Strengthening hygiene protocols and design standards for food carriers may reduce contamination risks and enhance food safety during outbreak responses. Further studies are recommended to validate these findings across broader courier networks.