• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.55-62
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• 2023

This study aimed to investigate the effect of a coating agent on pork storage. Pork was coated with a coating agent containing sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and mandarin peel powder (M). The treatments were divided into control, a 0.1% CMC treatment, and a 0.1% CMC +5% M treatment, and pH, color, 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), volatile basic nitrogen (VBN), and the number of viable cell counts were measured. In the case of redness (a), it was found that the reduction over the storage period was less in the 0.1% CMC + 5% M treatment than in the control and the 1% CMC treatment. When stored at 4℃ and 25℃, TBARS of pork tended to increase during the storage period, followed by control, 0.1% CMC treatment, and 0.1% CMC + 5% M treatment, indicating that lipid oxidation was most suppressed in pork coated with mandarin peel powder. As a result of measuring the VBN of pork stored at 4℃ and 25℃, the 0.1% CMC + 5% M treatment showed lower values than the control and 0.1% CMC treatment. When the film-coated pork was stored at 4℃, the number of viable cell counts in the 0.1% CMC +5% M treatment area was 7.13±0.96 log CFU/g on the 12th day of storage, delaying the growth of viable cell counts for approximately 3 d more than other treatments. Therefore, coating pork with a film containing CMC and mandarin peel powder has been confirmed to delay the increase in the number of viable cell counts while reducing the quality change during pork storage, which is an effective alternative to improving the storage of fresh food as an edible film.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.211-216
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• 2023

A total of 100 commercially available olive oil products were analyzed for 179 pesticide residues using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS). The olive oil samples were mixed with organic solvents, centrifuged and frozen to remove fat, and pesticide residues were analyzed using the "quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe" (QuEChERS) method. The determination coefficient (R²) of the analysis method used in this study was ≥0.998. The detection limit of the method ranged 0.004-0.006 mg/kg and its quantitative limit ranged 0.012-0.017 mg/kg. The recovery rate (n=5) measured at the level ranging 0.01-0.02, 0.1, and 0.5 mg/kg ranged 66.8-119.5%. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was determined to be ≤5.7%, confirming that this method was suitable for the "Guidelines for Standard Procedures for Preparing Food Test Methods". The results showed that a total of 151 pesticides (including difenoconazole, deltamethrin, oxyfluorfen, kresoxim-methyl, phosmet, pyrimethanil, tebuconazole, and trifloxystrobin) were detected in 64 of the 100 olive oil products. The detection range of these pesticide residues was 0.01-0.30 mg/kg. The percentage acceptable daily intake (%ADI) of the pesticides calculated using ADI and estimated daily intake (EDI) was 0.0001-0.1346, indicating that the detected pesticides were present at safe levels. This study provides basic data for securing the safety of olive oil products by monitoring pesticide residues in commercially available oilve oil products. Collectively, the analysis method used in this study can be used as a method to analyze residual pesticides in edible oils.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.217-227
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• 2023

The consumption of ready-to-eat side dishes is rapidly growing in South Korea. These foods are particularly vulnerable to microbiological contamination as they are often cooked without any treatment, such as heating or stored at room temperature after cooking. Hence, in 2022, we analyzed the ready-to-eat side dishes sold in Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea for microbiological contamination. We collected 100 samples from supermarkets in 7 cities, and then examined them for presence of food-borne pathogens and sanitary indicator bacteria. In the analysis of the food-borne pathogens, Bacillus cereus and Clostridium perfringens were isolated from 51 samples (51.0%) and 3 samples (3.0%), respectively. However, both quantitatively met the Korean Food Standards Codex. Genes of five different enterotoxins and one emetic toxin were analyzed from the 51 isolated B. cereus strains. We detected enterotoxin entFM (100.0%), nheA (94.1%), hblC (58.8%), cytK (56.9%), and bceT (41.2%) in 51 isolates, and emetic toxin gene, CER, in only one (2.0%) isolate. We did not detect C. perfringens toxin gene (cpe) that causes food poisoning in any one of the three C. perfringens isolates. In the case of sanitary indicator bacteria, Kimchi had the highest levels of total aerobic bacteria and coliforms, followed by Saengchae, Jeotgal, Jeolim, Namul, and Jorim, respectively. We counted total aerobic bacteria at two different storage temperatures (4℃ and 20℃) to determine the effect of storage temperature. When stored at 20℃, total aerobic bacteria count increased in most of the ready-to-eat side dishes, except for Jeotgal. This result conclusively shows the need for refrigerating the ready-to-eat side dishes after purchase. Further research is needed to assess the risk and safety of the ready-to-eat side dishes available in the market and determine appropriate safety management practices.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.69-78
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• 2023

This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of enzymatically modified stevia (EMS) on C2C12 cell-based model of dexamethasone (DEX)-induced muscle atrophy to provide baseline data for utilizing EMS in functional health products. C2C12 cells with DEX-induced muscle atrophy were treated with EMS (10, 50, and 100 ㎍/mL) for 24 h. C2C12 cells were treated with EMS and DEX to test their effects on cell viability and myotube formation (myotube diameter and fusion index), and analyze the expression of muscle strengthening or degrading protein markers. Schisandra chinensis Extract, a common functional ingredient, was used as a positive control. EMS did not show any cytotoxic effect at all treatment concentrations. Moreover, it exerted protective effects on C2C12 cell-based model of DEX-induced muscle atrophy at all concentrations. In addition, the positive effect of EMS on myotube formation was confirmed based on the measurement and comparison of the fusion index and myotube diameter when compared with myotubes treated with DEX alone. EMS treatment reduced the expression of muscle cell degradation-related proteins Fbx32 and MuRF1, and increased the expression of muscle strengthening and synthesis related proteins SIRT1 and pAkt/Akt. Thus, EMS is a potential ingredient for developing functional health foods and should be further evaluated in preclinical models.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.37-45
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• 2023

The surge in food delivery systems during the coronavirus 2019 pandemic necessitated this study of heavy metal migration from food contact materials (FCMs). A total of 104 samples of FCMs, comprising 51 polypropylene (PP), 21 polyethylene (PE), and 32 polystyrene (PS) samples of six different types of FCMs (containers, covers, table utensils, cups, pouches, and wrappers) used for food delivery distributed in Korea, were collected and investigated for migration of three heavy metals (Pb, Cd, and As) using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine whether they complied with Korea's Standards and Specifications for Utensils, Containers, and Packages. Acetic acid (4%, v/v) was used as the food simulant, and tests were performed at 100℃ (in harsh conditions) for 30 min. Linearity of Pb, Cd, and As showed acceptable results with a coefficient of determination (R²) value of 0.9999. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of Pb, Cd, and As were 0.001, 0.001, and 0.001 ㎍/L and 0.002, 0.003, and 0.003 ㎍/L, respectively. Accuracy and precision results complied with the criteria presented in the European Commission Joint Research Centre guidelines. The average concentration of Pb, Cd, and As migration detected in a total of 104 samples was 0.009-0.260 ㎍/L, which was very low compared with the migration specification set in the Standards and Specifications for Utensils, Containers, and Packages. The maximum level of Pb corresponded to 0.23% of the migration limit. There were no samples exceeding the limit. Thus, this study confirmed that the heavy metal contents of FCMs used for delivery food distributed in Korea were safely managed. The data from this study represent an invaluable source for science-based safety management of hazardous heavy metals migrating from FCMs used in the food delivery industry.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.46-54
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• 2023

In this study, we examined the residual amounts of formaldehyde in hygiene products to determine the safety of these products in Gyeonggi-do. Formaldehyde is among the harmful substances that may remain within certain hygiene products. On the basis of an analysis of formaldehyde in a total of 222 items (6 disposable paper straws, 9 disposable paper napkins, 21 toilet papers, 13 disposable dishcloths, 16 disposable paper towels, 32 wet wipes for food service restaurants, 25 disposable cotton swabs, and 100 disposable diapers), we detected traces in three wet wipes for food service restaurants (1.87 to 4.45 mg/kg), which is approximately 9% to 22% of the standard level (20 mg/kg). We established that all the hygiene products assessed in the study met the individual standards for formaldehyde, thereby confirming that safe products are being distributed. In the standards and specifications for hygiene products, the formaldehyde test method is regulated for application with respect to three categories based on the type of product. The samples used in this study were of types for which method 1 or method 2 is applied, and the limits of detection, limits of quantification, linearity, and recovery rates were reviewed to verify the validity of each test method. When method 2 was applied, we experienced interference when performing analysis at a wavelength of 412 nm, which was associated with the influence of impurities in some samples of disposable cotton swabs and disposable diapers. Consequently, in these cases, the results were compared after analysis using method 1. By comparing the results obtained using method 2 with those obtained using method 1, the latter of which were unaffected by the interference of impurities, we were able to detect formaldehyde at low concentrations. These findings accordingly highlight the necessity to standardize the formaldehyde test method for future analyses.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2023

Skin sanitizers are effective in killing or removing pathogenic microbial contaminants from the skin of food handlers, and the progressive growth of consumer interest in personal hygiene tends to drive product diversification. This review covers the advances in the application of efficacy tests for hand sanitizers to suggest future perspectives to establish an assessment system that is optimized to each product type (gel, liquid, and wipes). Previous research on the in vivo simulative test of actual consumer use has adopted diverse experimental conditions regardless of the product type. This highlights the importance of establishing optimal test protocols specialized for the compositional characteristics of sanitizers through the comparative analysis of test methods. Although the operational conditions of the mechanical actions associated with wiping can affect the efficacy of the removal and/or the inactivation of target microorganisms from the skin's surface, currently there is a lack of standardized use patterns for the exposure of hand sanitizing wipes to skin. Thus, major determinants affecting the results from each step of the overall assessment procedures [pre-treatment - exposure of sanitizers - microbial recovery] should be identified to modify current protocols and develop novel test methods. The ex vivo test, designed to overcome the limited reproducibility of in vivo human trials, is also expected to replicate the environment for the contact of sanitizers targeting skin microorganisms. Recent progress in the area of skin microbiome research revealed distinct microbial characteristics and distribution patterns after the application of sanitizers on hands to establish the test methods with the perspectives on the antimicrobial effects at the community level. The future perspectives presented in this study on the improvement of efficacy test methods for hand sanitizers can also contribute to public health and food safety through the commercialization of effective sanitizer products.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.12-18
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• 2023

Beef traceability systems help prevent the distribution of Hanwoo (Korean native cattle) meat as imported beef. In particular, assigning a traceability number to each cattle can provide all information regarding the purchased Hanwoo meat to the consumers. In the present study, a DNA identity test was conducted on 344 samples of Hanwoo meat from large livestock product stores in Seoul between 2021 and 2022 to determine the authenticity of important label information, such as the traceability number. Traceability number mismatch was confirmed in 45 cases (13.1%). The mismatch rate decreased to 11.3% in 2022 from 14.7% in 2021, and the mismatch rate was higher in the northern region (16.9%) than in the southern region (10.2%). In addition, of the six brands, B and D showed satisfactory traceability system management, whereas E and A showed poor traceability system management, with significant differences (P<0.001). The actual traceability number confirmation rate was only 53.9% among the mismatch samples. However, examination of the authenticity of label information of the samples within the identified range revealed false marking in the order of the traceability number (13.1%), sex (2.9%), slaughterhouse name (2.2%), and grade (1.6%); no false marking of breed (Hanwoo) was noted. To prevent the distribution of erroneously marked livestock products, the authenticity of label information must be determined promptly. Therefore, a legal basis must be established mandating the filling of a daily work sheet, including the traceability number of beef, in partial meat subdivisions. Our findings can be used as reference data to guide the management direction of traceability systems for ensuring transparency in the distribution of livestock products.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.170-175
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• 2023

In this study, the effect of MnSO₄ on the insecticidal crystal (IC) produced by Bacillus thuringiensis for a rapid detection medium was analyzed. The strains used included one B. thuringiensis reference (KCTC 1511) and nine wild-type strains. The IC in B. thuringiensis was detected following the method published by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in Korea. In the nutrient agar to which 0.005% MnSO₄ was added, IC was observed on two of the three plates after 48 hours of incubation and on all three plates after 120 hours. In AK agar, IC was observed on one and two of the three plates after 48 and 96 hours of incubation, respectively. These results indicated that 0.005% MnSO₄ nutrient agar is more appropriate than AK agar for production of IC in B. thuringiensis. The effect of various MnSO₄ concentrations on IC production was studied after 24 hours of incubation. IC was produced on 1 of the 10 plates with 0.000% MnSO₄ nutrient agar, 2 of the 10 plates with 0.001% MnSO₄ nutrient agar, and 3 of the 10 plates with 0.002% MnSO₄ nutrient agar. IC was not observed for the other nutrient agars containing 0.003%-0.009% MnSO₄. These results indicated that nutrient agar with 0.002% MnSO₄ led to the most rapid production of IC by B. thuringiensis after 24 hours of incubation. However, the conditions for IC production by B. thuringiensis depended on the incubation conditions and strain activity. Therefore, further studies are needed to verify the effects of 0.002% MnSO₄ on the production of IC by various Bacillus thuringiensis strains.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.79-88
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• 2023

Trifludimoxazin is a triazinone herbicide that inhibits the synthesis of protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO). The lack of PPO damages the cell membranes, leading to plant cell death. An official analytical method for the safety management of trifludimoxazin is necessary because it is a newly registered herbicide in Korea. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a residual analysis method to detect trifludimoxazin in five representative agricultural products. The EN method was established as the final extraction method by comparing the recovery test and matrix effect with those of the QuEChERS method. Various sorbent agents were used to establish the clean-up method, and no differences were observed among them. MgSO₄ and PSA were selected as the final clean-up conditions. We used LC-MS/MS considering the selectivity and sensitivity of the target pesticide and analyzed the samples in the MRM mode. The recovery test results using the established analysis method and inter-laboratory validation showed a valid range of 73.5-100.7%, with a relative standard deviation and coefficient of variation less than 12.6% and 14.5%, respectively. Therefore, the presence of trifludimoxazin can be analyzed using a modified QuEChERS method, which is widely available in Korea to ensure the safety of residual insecticides.