• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.127-131
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• 2015

This study aimed to calculate the required sample size to monitor food items during risk assessment studies. Based on a data set from a previous study (2,400 data points for heavy metal assessment from 17 food items), the required sample size was estimated by using a single equation with the standard deviation value, error range, and 95%-99% confidence intervals. The required sample size was calculated with each of the heavy metals for the assessment. The results showed that cadmium, lead, and mercury of required sample sizes for further monitoring were range of 7-90, 7-1, 062, and 11-238, respectively. We found that the required sample size varied depending on the standard deviation of the previous monitoring data. This study provides a basic method to determine the minimum sample size required in food monitoring to devise practical sampling strategies.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.179-186
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• 2017

For more efficient and proactive safety control of imported food, new trend in U.S. is emerging, which assesses the food safety control systems of exporting countries using Systems Recognition Assessment Tool and helps ensure safety of imported foods. This study examines trends in development and application of assessmemnt tool and country assessment reports in U.S. where an active discussion on this issue is in progress. The expert interviews were also conducted. U.S. Systems Recognition Assessment Tool was developed by FDA to recognize the potential value in leveraging the expertise of foreign food safety systems and help ensure safety of imported food. The tool is comprised of ten standards and provides an objective framework for determining the robustness of trading partners' overall food safety systems. Using its own tool, the U.S. FDA conducted a preliminary assessment of the food safety control systems of New Zealand and Canada. According to the U.S.-New Zealand and the U.S.-Canada assessment reports, the overall structure of the systems was similar between the countries. In summarizing the opinions of experts, such a trend in National Food Safety Control System Assessment may be utilized in the sanitary assessment and the control of imported food border inspection frequency before importing food. It would contribute to more effective distribution of national budget and increased public trust. Additionally, international collaboration as well as securing of qualified experts and sufficient budget appear to be crucial to further increase the utility of National Food Safety Control Systems Assessment. In conclusion, firstly, it is critically important for the competent authority of South Korea to proactively respond to international trend in National Food Safety Control System Assessment by identifying the details of its background, assessment purpose, core assessment elements, and assessment procedures. Secondly, it is necessary to identify and complement the weaknesses of Korea's food safety control system by reviewing it with U.S. Systems Recognition Assessment Tool. Thirdly, by adapting the assessment results from imported countries' food safety control systems to the imported food inspection intensity, the resources previously used in inspecting the imported food from accredited countries can be redistributed to inspecting the imported food from unaccredited countries, and it would contribute to more efficient imported food safety control. Fourthly, the competent authority of South Korea should also consider developing its own assessment tool designed to reflect the unique characteristics of its food safety control system and international guidelines.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.39-44
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• 2014

Bisphenol A (BPA) is widely used in the production of polycarbonate plastics, epoxy resins, and food and beverage containers. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between urinary concentrations of BPA and waist circumference in Korean adults. A total of 1,030 Korean adults (mean age, $44.3{\pm}14.6$ years) were enrolled in the study on the integrated exposure to hazardous materials for safety control, conducted by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety from 2010 to 2012. Abdominal obesity was defined as having a waist circumference of at least 90 cm and 85 cm for men and women, respectively. The participants were divided into 4 groups according to the urinary BPA concentration quartile. Waist circumference was significantly higher among subjects with a urinary BPA concentration in the highest quartile relative to those in the lowest quartile (p = 0.0071). Linear regression analysis revealed a significant positive association between urinary BPA concentrations and body mass index, body fat, after adjusting for potential confounders. Moreover, subjects with urinary BPA concentrations in the fourth quartile were more likely to be obese compared to those with urinary BPA concentrations in the first quartile (odds ratio, 1.938; 95% CI: 1.314~2.857; p for trend = 0.0106). These findings provide evidence for a positive association between urinary BPA concentration and waist circumference in Korean adults.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Food Hygiene and Safety Conference
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• 2005.11a
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• pp.21-70
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• 2005

• Toxicological Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.73-79
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• 2012

While the ability to develop nanomaterials and incorporate them into products is advancing rapidly worldwide, understanding of the potential health safety effects of nanomaterials has proceeded at a much slower pace. Since 2008, Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) started an investigation to prepare "Strategic Action Plan" to evaluate safety and nano risk management associated with foods, drugs, medical devices and cosmetics using nano-scale materials. Although there are some studies related to potential risk of nanomaterials, physical-chemical characterization of nanomaterials is not clear yet and these do not offer enough information due to their limitations. Their uncertainties make it impossible to determine whether nanomaterials are actually hazardous to human. According to the above mention, we have some problems to conduct the human exposure risk assessment currently. On the other hand, uncertainty about safety may lead to polarized public debate and to businesses unwillingness for further nanotechnology investigation. Therefore, the criteria and methods to assess possible adverse effects of nanomaterials have been vigorously taken into consideration by many international organizations: the World Health Organization, the Organization for Economic and Commercial Development and the European Commission. The object of this study was to develop risk assessment principles for safety management of future nanoproducts and also to identify areas of research to strengthen risk assessment for nanomaterials. The research roadmaps which were proposed in this study will be helpful to fill up the current gaps in knowledge relevant nano risk assessment.

• 한국환경농학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2009.07a
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• pp.3-18
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• 2009

It is difficult for consumers to satisfy high safety request with post-management method such as inspection and surveillance, as various changes in-and-out of the country associated with food safety. In terms of food safety problems related to foods, it is crucial to recognize public health and consumer protection and construct pre-preventive Food Control System. A joint committee, FAO/WHO made the following consultations to the National Food Safety System. ${\circ}$ Approach entirely from farm to table ${\circ}$ Get ready for Risk Analysis System ${\circ}$ Secure transparency ${\circ}$ Establish the optimal policy by evaluating the effect of regulation When it comes to summarizing the consultation, it would be accumulated as two key words; "Efficiency" and "Credibility". Whereas the problem of efficiency focuses on precaution rather than post-management, it requires policy option to maximize consumer's benefit by evaluating the cost for the Food Safety Management and its benefit. Also, analyzing risk's character and amount, demanding an optimal means, and introducing scientific analysis system put much value on the stakeholder's communications are procedure's security which can satisfy both "Efficiency" and "Credibility" simultaneously. Especially, it is emphasized here that Risk Assessment need to be separated from Risk Management. This action is a valid means of credibility security throughout improving transparency. A number of nations and organizations have reformed the method of food management passing through reflection and examination of the prior National Food Safety Management since BSE occurred in Britain, 1996. FSA; Food Standard Agency, AFFSA, EFSA, BfR, and FSC are Risk Assessment Organization functionally separated from Risk Management Organization, JECFA, JMCFA, JMPR, JEMRA in Codex charge Risk Assessment internationally. In case of advanced countries excluding several those such as The U.S. and so forth, though these Risk Assessment Organizations are either separated functionally within Risk Management Organization or operated as apart organ, common factors are in which it has independence as Science Base. While securing independence of Risk Assessment Function, it is a tendency Risk Management should be functionally unified into efficiency as well. Though Germany constructs integral Risk Management System of diverse ways according to social and political conditions of each country such as GFOCP, DVFA, SNFA, CFIS and AQIS, there is a key word in the center, "Securing efficiency of Food Safety Management". However our nation has a representative plural；diversified system with The U.S., we took a step forward for unification as empowering policy's generalization；adjustment and Risk Assessment Function by means of enacting the "Food Safety Fundamental Law" in 2008 and establishing the "Food Safety Policy Commission" with private and governmental sectors in the Prime Minister's office. Even though the unification of Risk Management hereby increased, there is the lack of strengthening function of Risk Assessment and securing independence. It needs to be required for the professional committee in Food Safety Policy Commission to develop as a exclusive office of Risk Assessment by separating from a policy decision. Administrative Branches should reinforce feeble functions such as fundamental investigation；research for carrying out Risk Assessment with securing efficiency throughout reassessment of prior Risk Management Means.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.139-157
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• 2006

Biotechnology has reached the level of giving birth to new forms of life and with this is a growing controversy in the conflict between science and ethics. Especially, GMOs are closely linked to the food products we consume and thus, the majority of the public shows a very sensitive reaction to the safety of GMO food products. Many perspectives arose surrounding the issues of safety on the human body and the ecology. This outlines diverse structural mechanisms to be set up to ensure safety such as risk assessment, risk management etc. Despite the precautionary principle guaranteed in many ways, the problem arises whether and how this principle can be taken in the safety assessment. GMOs due to its uniqueness do not end with just the possession of the technology involved but must also be considered with the prerequisite that they could be cultured again. Therefore the reinforcement of safety assessment system is necessary. That is, the reinforcement of risk assessment including field tests, the consideration of socio-economic effects, the coordinated system of relevant authorities, the development of technology for safety assessment.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.221-226
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• 2015

With the diversification and internationalization of the food industry and the increased focus on health from a majority of consumers, food safety policies are being implemented based on scientific evidence. Risk analysis represents the most useful scientific approach for making food safety decisions. Total diet study (TDS) is often used as a risk assessment tool to evaluate exposure to hazardous elements. Many countries perform TDSs to screen for chemicals in foods and analyze exposure trends to hazardous elements. TDSs differ from traditional food monitoring in two major aspects: chemicals are analyzed in food in the form in which it will be consumed and it is cost-effective in analyzing composite samples after processing multiple ingredients together. In Korea, TDSs have been conducted to estimate dietary intakes of heavy metals, pesticides, mycotoxins, persistent organic pollutants, and processing contaminants. TDSs need to be carried out periodically to ensure food safety.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.205-211
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• 2013

Nitrate is a naturally occurring compound in plant and can be converted to nitrite in the nitrogen cycle and vice versa. Therefore, it is easy to find nitrate in plants including vegetables. Especially, it is known that high levels of nitrate found in leafy vegetables. Nitrate itself is relatively non-toxic but its metabolites and reaction products such as nitrite, nitric oxide and N-nitroso compounds, may produce adverse health effects such as methaemoglobinaemia and carcinogenesis. To execute the risk assessment of dietary nitrate and nitrite for the intake of vegetables, it is investigated that the levels of nitrate and nitrite in 23 vegetables (798 samples). The range of concentration were 0-6,719mg/kg for nitrate and 0-1,635mg/kg for nitrite, respectively. The Estimated daily intakes (EDI) were 0.85-1.38 mg/kg body weight/day for nitrate and 0.02-0.03 mg/kg body weight/day for nitrite by ages. We conclude that there are no health concerns for eating various vegetables since the EDI were below the Tolerable Daily Intake (3.7 mg/kg body weight/day for nitrate, 0.06 mg/kg body weight/day for nitrite) level established by WHO.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.175-181
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• 2015

Cyantraniliprole, which is an ananthranilic diamide insecticide that was developed by the DuPont Corporation, was registered in the Republic of Korea in 2012. It offers exceptional insecticidal activity on a broad range of Lepidopera, Coleoptera, Diptera, and Isoptera. The maximum residue limits are set to pepper, peach, apple, sweet pepper, welsh onion, and so on (0.2~2.0 mg/kg). Therefore, an analytical method for determining cyantraniliprole residue in agricultural products was developed to ensure food safety. In previous studies, welsh onions were among vegetables included in the allium species, which is a representative plant with sulfur organic compounds. In this study, the analytical method was developed and evaluated for the elimination of sulfur compounds from the test solution of allium species during pesticide residue analysis. In order to inactivate the enzyme allinase and produce sulfur compounds, sample extraction was made in the base state pH 10 by reducing the activity of the enzyme. The recoveries of the developed method ranged from 81.9% to 83.2%, and the relative standard deviations were less than 10%. Therefore, based on the results, the method developed in this study is accurate and appropriate for use in cyantraniliprole determination. It will be used as the official method for managing the safety of cyantraniliprole residues in agricultural products.