As one of the post-COVID-19 response strategies, representative processed products derived from the natural plant material flaxseed and a dietary supplement fortified with female hormones (estrogens) were developed in Canada, an eco-friendly country was introduced. These products were: 1) flaxseed oil to help maintain cognitive and immune function, 2) Lignan50, a substance with effects similar to estrogen, a female hormone, 3) XanFlax, a thickener for confectionery/baking and egg substitute, 4) MediFlax, a constipation reliever, 5) SesaFlax, which has a fragrance similar to sesame, 6) Linusorb, which is effective for its pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory/anti-oxidation and anti-aging properties, and 7) LinuLyte, a water/electrolyte supplement containing high dietary fiber. It is expected that these dietary products will help maintain and promote health as part of a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dry-aging is one of the traditional aging processes, especially for beef. This aging process is being popular, because it produces unique brown/roasted flavor and texture that consumers prefer. However, as it is exposed to outside without packaging food safety concerns have been raised. The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of total aerobic bacteria (TAB) and pathogenic bacteria in manufacturing environment and suggest the safety management plan for the production of dry-aged meat. Surface samples from 66 environmental and 6 beef carcass samples were collected. According to the monitoring results, the contamination levels of TAB were in the order of shelves (5.4±1.1 Log CFU/cm²), cotton gloves (2.9±0.2 Log CFU/cm²), and door knobs (2.8±0.4 Log CFU/cm²) in the dry-aging room. In the door knobs, the level of mold was higher than that of yeast. These results indicate that the mold spores may be cross-contaminated with environmental factors inside the aging room. The risk factors that may occur during the manufacturing process were presented and possibility of risk was determined. From the aspect of microbiology, aging and trimming steps were determined as the critical control points. The temperature of the aging room should be maintained below 10℃ and the humidity below 75-85%. Based on the monitoring and the risk assessment of the dry-aging process, we prepared the safety management plan for the production of dry-aged meat, and it should be useful in improving the food safety of dry-aged meat.

The use of cultured meat, also known as in vitro meat, is claimed to be a way of meeting the growing demand for meat worldwide in a safe and disease-free manner, without sacrificing animal and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. However, its economic feasibility is limited by its cost, scale-up complexity, public neophobia and technophobia, and an imperfect knowledge of its impacts on human health. Cultured meat, which is obtained from stem cells using tissue engineering techniques, has been described as a potential alternative to the current meat production systems, which have extensive negative effects. To ensure that a food product is safe for human consumption, it is important to consider all aspects of its life cycle. In this context, the current review analyzes the major elements of the cultured meat life cycle, including the incorrect use of chemicals, such as pesticides or antibiotics, as well as improper processing and storage methods that determine the food safety of cultured meat. The purpose of this review is to determine food safety, health issues, and the potential risks associated with cultured meat production.

With the increased development of the dining sector, several restaurants have emerged and are becoming more advanced. Since the Michelin Guide Seoul publication in Korea, the fine-dining market has attracted attention from guests. Moreover, the number of customers visiting fine-dining restaurants has increased comparatively. However, it has been a mere 6 years since the publication of the Michelin Guide Seoul, and domestic materials and research related to the Michelin Guide are insufficient. Therefore, this research examines the factors responsible for restaurants to gain Michelin stars, and the effect of the Michelin guide on customers to select restaurants. Customers who have visited and experienced the star restaurants were interviewed, as well as the owner chefs and personnel managing the restaurant. The interviews were conducted from August to September 2020 using the Colaizzi method. The survey was designed to extract meaningful sentences or phrases from the participant interviews, categorize general and abstract statements into topic clusters, and describe the essential experience. This research aimed to determine the effect of the Michelin guide on customers for a selection of the restaurants and star restaurants. It is important to understand the development of Michelin restaurants and the effective factors which make customers choose the restaurants. Also, results of this study will be a future guide for the possibility of developing domestic fine-dining restaurants, normal restaurants, and the food service industry.

This study investigated the microbiological hazards in the manufacturing processes of Naengmyeon. Sanitary indicative bacteria, such as aerobic plate counts and coliforms as well as pathogenic bacteria, were examined from raw materials, manufacturing processes, working area, 17 utensils and equipment. The aerobic plate counts for raw materials and arrowroot starch estimated as 0.77±0.68~5.02±0.28 and 5.02±0.28 log CFU/g, respectively. Coliforms were detected from wheat flour, buckwheat flour, and potato starch. Staphylococcus aureus was detected to be 0.61±1.06 log CFU/g in wheat flour and 0.20±0.35 log CFU/g in buckwheat flour. During the manufacturing process, aerobic plate counts for kneading process were 4.54±0.34 log CFU/g. But after the press out and heat process, contamination of aerobic plate counts and coliforms decreased and remained at a low level until the release process. Aerobic plate counts before washing disinfection of screw were 3.28±0.62 log CFU/100 cm², the level of which was high in utensils and equipment that had contact with employees or water. These results represent not only an important indicator for the hygienic level but also a scientific basis for analyzing biological hazards, which lead to the introduction of HACCP for the production of safe and hygienic cold noodles processed by manufacturers.