• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.71-76
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• 2007

Foodborne illness caused by Noroviruses (NVs) is increasing rapidly in Korea. This study developed an effective detection protocol for NVs found in contaminated oysters and lettuce through an investigation using the major steps of virus particle separation, concentration and RT-PCR. As a surrogate model for NVs, the cultivable feline calicivirus (FCV) that belongs to the same Caliciviridae family was used. Instead of using a time-consuming ultracentrifugation method, efficient methods based on solvent extraction and PEG precipitation procedure were applied. Direct homogenization of a 25g sample of whole oyster and lettuce in 175mL PBS provided the simplicity that would be needed in the actual field of food product examination. The overnight PEG precipitation step at $4^{\circ}C$ was reduced to 3 h by placing the reaction tube in ice and by adjusting the PEG concentrations. The application of the use of chloroform and 0.2 ${\mu}m$ syringe filtration together showed a better detection efficiency than the use of chloroform alone in removing PCR inhibitors for both oyster and lettuce samples. Also, dilution of the extracted RNA solution before PCR provided increased sensitivity. The improved detection protocol developed in this study could be efficiently applied to detect FCV and most likely NVs from oysters and lettuce.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.289-295
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• 2011

Produce, including leafy vegetables, has been implicated in several outbreaks of food illness. To evaluate microbiological safety of lettuce and it's cultivation area, a total of 147 samples were collected from lettuce farms and post harvest facility at Icheon, Gyeonggi province. The collected samples were assessed for presence of sanitary indicator microorganisms (Aerobic plate count, coliform count, Escherichia coli) and foodborne pathogens (Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus). The population of APC was over 4.0 log CFU from most of the samples. While the numbers of APC, and coliform of lettuce at 62 days after transplanting were 4.18 log CFU/g, and 1.00 log CFU/g, respectively, those of 10 days after transplanting were 5.37 log CFU/g, and 2.87 log CFU/g, respectively. B. cereus was highly detected from soil and balance which were contaminated with 3.5 log CFU/g, and 2.6 log CFU/100 $cm^2$, respectively. The number of E. coli recovered from gloves was 3.5 log CFU/hand. However, E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., and L. monocytogenes were not detected. These data suggested that risk management system should be introduced to lettuce farms to enhance safety of lettuce.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.771-775
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• 1997

Treatment with electron beam irradiation was investigated for the elimination of Escherichia coli O157:H7 which has been linked to outbreaks of foodborne illness on undercooked and raw meat. Before treatment, the maximum populations were observed at 16 hr when E. coli O157:H7 was incubated in TSB at $37^{\circ}C$. Incubation at $4^{\circ}C$ did not influence survival and growth of the strain. The numbers of E. coli O157:H7 were present about $10^{7}\;CFU/mL$ in the log $(6\;hr\;at\;37^{\circ}C)$ and stationary phase $(16\;hr\;at\;37^{\circ}C)$ of cells, respectively. Freezing $(24\;hr\;at\;-18^{\circ})$ had a more marked lethal effect. The $D_{10}$ value at $-18^{\circ}C$ of E. coli O157:H7 contaminated in frozen beef was 0.45 kGy, and inactivation factor were $6.67{\sim}11.11$ at the radiation doses of $3{\sim}5\;kGy$. Therefore, electron beam irradiation was an effective method to eleminate of E. coli O157:H7.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.621-628
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• 2018

We developed a quantitative microbial risk assessment model for determning the effect of seasoning on Clostridium perfringens behavior in beef jerky under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. C. perfringens was not detected (<0.5 log CFU/g) in beef jerky samples (n=275), regardless of storage conditions or the presence of seasoning. Survival models of C. perfringens on beef jerky were developed as a function of temperature (10, 17, 25, and $35^{\circ}C$). Risk of C. perfringens due to the consumption of beef jerky was estimated with @RISK and FDA-iRISK. The probability of foodborne illness due to C. perfringens through consumption of seasoned, vacuum packed beef jerky was estimated to be $2.77{\times}10^{-16}$ per person per day. Overall, the risk of contamination of beef jerky with C. perfringens is very low.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.661-669
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• 2020

Samgak-Kimbap is a popular ready-to-eat (RTE) food at convenience stores, in Korea. Although Samgak-Kimbap is distributed through the cold chain supply system, inappropriate temperature storage conditions prior to consumption are a cause of concern. The objective of this study was to evaluate the risk of Staphylococcus aureus growth in Samgak-Kimbap in the retail market. The prevalence and contamination levels of S. aureus in Samgak-Kimbap (n=170) were monitored, and the predictive growth model of a five-strain cocktail of enterotoxin-producing S. aureus (SEA, SEB, SEC, SED, and SEE) was developed in Samgak-Kimbap as a function of temperature (4, 10, 11, 20, 25, and 37℃). We could not observe the growth of S. aureus and enterotoxin-producing S. aureus in Samgak-Kimbap at temperatures below 10℃. The probability of illness with S. aureus per serving of Samgak-Kimbap was 1.44×10-10 per day. The most influential factor in increasing the risk of foodborne illnesses was the contamination level of S. aureus in Samgak-Kimbap.

• Food Science and Industry
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.93-101
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• 2021

Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) systems were developed to ensure a high level of food safety and reduced risk of foodborne illness. This paper focuses on significant issues associated with the implementation of HACCP; it provides an overview on recent literature. The structure of the paper follows six groupings of issues in the international literature of HACCP: (1) comparative studies and unification plan between HACCP and other food safety regulations; (2) verification of the HACCP system's effectiveness in improving food safety; (3) establishment of critical control point (CCP) for various foods HACCP model development; (4) expansion of HACCP application in the various fields and small businesses;(5) the impacts of HACCP on consumer's preferences and firms' financial performance in food industry; (6) HACCP and technological changes. The paper concludes with some suggestions for the future research in order to promote safe food supply chain for global customers.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.577-584
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• 2016

The objectives of this study were I) to compare the acid resistance (AR) of seven non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) serogroups, including O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, O145, and O157:H7 STEC isolated from various sources, in 400 mM acetic acid solution (AAS) at pH 3.2 and $30^{\circ}C$ for 25 min with or without glutamic acid and II) to determine strain survival upon exposure to simulated gastric fluid (SGF, pH 1.5) at $37^{\circ}C$ for 2 h after acid adaptation in apple, pineapple, orange, and strawberry juices at pH 3.8, $4^{\circ}C$ and $20^{\circ}C$. Results show that the O111 serogroup strains had the strongest AR (0.12 log reduction CFU/mL) which was very similar to that of O157:H7 STEC (P>0.05), compared to other serogroups in AAS without glutamic acid, whereas O26 serogroup strains showed the most sensitive AR. However, there was no significant (P>0.05) difference of AR among seven serogroups in AAS with glutamic acid. In the SGF study, 05-6545 (O45:H2), 08023 (O121:H19), and 03-4669 (O145:NM) strains adapted in fruit juices at $4^{\circ}C$ and $20^{\circ}C$ displayed enhanced survival with exposure to SGF for 60 min compared to 06E0218 (O157:H7) strains (P<0.05). In addition, 4 STEC strains adapted in pineapple juice at $4^{\circ}C$ showed enhanced survival with exposure to SGF for 60 min compared to those strains acid-adapted in the other fruit juices. Generally, adaptation at $4^{\circ}C$ in fruit juices resulted in significantly enhanced survival levels compared to acid-adapted at $20^{\circ}C$ and non-adapted conditions. The AR caused by adaptation in fruit juices at low temperature may thus increase survival of non-O157 STEC strain in acidic environments such as the gastrointestinal tract. These results suggest that more careful strategies should be provided to protect against risk of foodborne illness by non-O157 STEC.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.25-38
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• 2003

This study was conducted to establish the microbiological quality standards applying the HACCP system on sushi items of Japanese restaurant in Korea. The study evaluated hygienic conditions of kitchen and workers, pH time-temperature relationship, and microbial assessments during whole process of sushi making in 2001. Overall hygienic conditions were normal for both kitchen and for workers by 3 point scale, but hygienic controls against the cross-contamination were still needed. Each process of sushi making was performed under the risk of microbial contamination, since pH value of most of ingredients was over pH 4.6 and also production time(3.5~6 hrs) were long enough to cause problems. Microorganisms were high enough to cause foodborne illness ranged 8.0$\times$10$^2$~3.3$\times$10$^{6}$ CFU/g of TPC and 1.0$\times$10$^1$~1.6$\times$10$^3$CFU/g of coliforms, although TPC, coliforms and Staphylcoccus aureus were within the standard limits (TPC 10$^2$~10$^{6}$ CFU/g, coliforms 10$^3$CFU/g). However, Salmonella and Vibrio parahaemolyticus were not detected. High populations TPC and coliforms were also found in the cooks' hands and cooking utensils(TPC 10$^2$~10$^{6}$ CFU/100cm$^2$and Coliforms 10$^1$~10$^3$CFU/100cm$^2$). Based on the CCP decision tree analysis, the CCPs were the holding steps far six sushi production line except the tuna and the thawing step for tuna sushi. In conclusion, overall state of sushi production was fairly good but much improvement was still needed.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.168-177
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• 2001

Sanitary management practices were assessed to insure the safety of school foodservice, to prevent the outbreak of foodborne illness, and to improve the quality of school foodservice. To accomplish these objectives, a survey was conducted and analyzed on elementary and high school foodservice operations located in Seoul area. A Questionnaire from based on HACCP standards was developed and used for self-reported evaluation of the school foodservice managers on their sanitary management practices. The results were analysed by examining their activities and identifying weaknesses in those activities. The questionnaire was composed of three sectors with all 53 questions; 33 questions for time-temperature management, 5 for personal hygiene and 15 for equipment/facility sanitation. Five-point-scale was used on the questionnaire answers. Among the schools responded,253 (98.4% of the total) were elementary schools and 19 (1.6%) were high schools. Among the three sectors, personal hygiene performance was mostly well conducted by marking average 4.06$\pm$0.57. Equipment/facility sanitation came next by marking average 3.84$\pm$0.53. Time-temperature marked average 3.45$\pm$0.46. “Storage after cooking (2.03$\pm$0.94)”was identified as the least managed activities because the school foodservice operations were not equipped well with hot holding and/or cold holding. “Separate use of sink per usage (3.03$\pm$1.10)” and “proper location of hand washing facility (3.07$\pm$1.13))” were identified as the least practiced activities in equipment/facility sanitation sector. To enhance these practices, proper number of sinks and hand washing facilities should be equipped first within the kitchen area.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.746-756
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate food safety knowledge, food safety attitudes, and handling behavior in the elderly. The survey was conducted on 358 individuals over 65 years old in urban and rural areas. Data were analyzed with descriptive analysis and ${\chi}^2$ test analysis of variance using SPSS. From the results on elderly's food safety knowledge, the item 'tangerines should be washed before eating' was correctly answered by urban subjects (75.4%) than rural subjects (49.7%). 'Is it okay to cook meat left on the sink since afternoon in the evening' showed the lowest correct answer rate in both urban (23.1%) and rural (31.9%) subjects. For the item related to food keeping, 'Bacterial cells do not multiply in Samgyetang when it is kept in a refrigerator right after boiling thoroughly', 58.5% of urban and 54.6% of rural elderly answered correctly. Most elderly people showed a tendency to think that boiled foods might be safe to eat. Secondly, for food safety attitudes, urban elderly had more proper attitude regarding the item, 'Namul is very tasty only when mixed with bare hands' (disagree rate 34.9%) than rural elderly (P<0.05)'. On the other hand, rural elderly had more positive attitudes regarding the store principle "first in, first out" compared to urban elderly (P<0.001). Thirdly, regarding food safety behaviors, only 67.9% of urban and 58.7% of rural elderly responded that they washed their hands right after answering the telephone while cooking. Exactly 33.8% of urban and 39.6% of rural older people replied 'defrost meat on top of sink or table' as the defrost method for frozen foods, showing that elderly did not recognize the risk of foodborne illness during improper defrosting at room temperature.