Safety Inspection on Jeotgal, Salt-Fermented Sea Food

Jeotgal, salt- fermented sea food, is a kind of Korean traditional foods. We carried out hazard analysis on Changran (stomach and intestine of Alaska pollack) Jeotgal and squid Jeotgal through the whole processing procedures at H Co. located at Guryongpo from April 2000 to September 2001. During this studying period, we educated employee regularly and analyzed hazards on the whole process and then could conclude that pathogenic bacteria and metal particles were most important hazards in Jeotgal. Metal particles in end-product will be eliminated by laser detector before packaging. But bacteria must thoroughly manage through the whole process. Bacteriological qualities of the end products were much improved after education for the employees and by effort for HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) program introduction. Pathogenic bacteria such as pathogenic Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., coagulase positive Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus were not detected from not only raw materials but also end products. The falling bacteria in the places such as thawing area, packaging area, seasoning area, fermenting room, subsidiary materials room and storage room were less than 30 CFU per plate for 30 minutes during working time. But those were increased more than 10 times during the resting time. It means that special measures are needed during the break time such as lunch time or exchanging working teams.