• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.12 no.5
• /
• pp.617-629
• /
• 2007

To ensure the microbiological safety of food items prepared after cooking process, this study was aimed to identify the hazards related with cooked foods donated to foodbanks through quantitative microbial analysis. Five foodbanks located in Incheon and Gyeonggi area among government-dominant foodbanks were surveyed from February to June, 2007. Manager, recipient, donator, type and quantity of donated foot and facility and equipment were examined for the general characteristics of foodbank. The time and temperature of food md environment were measured at steps from after-production to before-distribution, and the microbial analysis was performed mainly with indicator organism and major pathogens. The amount of cooked foods donated to each foodbank was about 20 to 30 servings and consisted of 80% of total donated foods. Only three foodbanks had separate offices for foodbank operation and four institutions had at least one temperature-controlled vehicle. The flow of donated foods was gone through the steps; production, meal service and holding at donator, collection by foodbank, transport (or holding after transport) and distribution to recipients. It took about 3.8 to 6.5 hours at room temperature from after-production to before-distribution. Only aerobic plate counts (APC) and coliforms were found in microbial analysis. The APC after production were relatively high in $8.2{\times}10^5,\;7.4{\times}10^5,\;6.9{\times}10^5$ and $4.2{\times}10^5 CFU/g$ while $2.8{\times}10^6, \;9.4{\times}10^5,\;1.0{\times}10^6$ and $5.4{\times}10^5CFU/g$ before distribution in mixed Pimpinella brachycarpa, mixed chard mixed amaranth and mixed spinach, respectively. The levels of coliforms in mixed chard and mixed spinach were complied with the standards of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Management The level of APC in boiled pork was increased from $< 1.0{\times}10 CFU/g$ to $4.0{\times}10^2 CFU/g$. One of delivery vessels was shown $6.2{\times}10^3 CFU/100 cm^2$ in APC, which was over the standards for environment. One of serving tables also showed the high level of $1.2{\times}10^3 CFU/100 cm^2$ in APC and $6.6{\times}10^2 CFU/100 cm^2$ in coliforms. These results suggest the sanitary management of holding at donator and the time-temperature control are key factors to ensure the safety of cooked foods donated to foodbank.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.172-184
• /
• 2006

This study was aimed to provide safety management guidance by evaluating the microbial quality of cooked dried-seafoods in school foodservice operations. Nineteen seafood items were collected from six elementary schools, those were dried-anchovy, dried-seaweed and dried-fish, which were classified as cooking process. The temperatures at receiving and after cooking were measured and the analyses of cooking processes and microbial quality were performed. The temperatures of all foods after cooking were higher than the temperature limit of $74\^circC$. The number of total aerobic bacteria and S. aureus in dried-anchovy over the limit of $10^5$ and even the level of S. aureus was found to be unsatisfactory. The count of total aerobic bacteria was 2.1x$10^8$ CFU/g and the number of total aerobic bacteria after cooking was over the limit in one school. The level of E. coli (3.1x$10^3$ CFU/g) was over the limit at one school and the number of S. aureus (1.2×$10^4$ CFU/g) was considered as unacceptable. Dried- tangle and green laver were contaminated with total aerobic bacteria showing the over the limit. The numbers of total aerobic bacteria in dried- filefish, pollack and squid were 4.3x$10^6$, 3.4x$10^6$-3.9x$10^7$ and 4.6x$10^5$-4.1x$10^7$ CFU/g, respectively, which were in acceptable or unsatisfactory level. The E. coli in dried- filefish and pollack were over the limit. The total aerobic bacteria levels, 4.6x$10^5$-1.5x$10^6$ CFU/g in dried-pollack and 8.0x$10^5$-2.2x$10^7$ CFU/g in dried-squid, were over the limit after cooking except dried-filefish. The E. coli levels, 4.3x$10^3$ CFU/g in dried-filefish and 2.5x$10^2$ CFU/g in dried-pollack, were over the limit of $10^2$ CFU/g. The numbers of Enterobacteriaceae were either acceptable (3.3x$10^3$ CFU/g) or unsatisfactory (1.6x$10^4$ CFU/g) level in dried-pollack. S. aureus was unsatisfactory level (6.5x$10^4$ CFU/g) in dried-filefish while unacceptable in dried-pollack both before and after cooking. Unacceptable levels of S. aureus, 2.4x$10^4$ and 1.3x$10^5$ CFU/g were found from two schools, respectively. These results suggest that the contamination of raw materials and the seasonings added after cooking should be controlled to manage the microbial safety of cooked dried-seafoods.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.45-50
• /
• 1996

The application of HACCP system, which was adopted by Codex Alimentarius Committee for the safe meat and poultry production, is one of the urgent task for competing in the world trade markets. But there have been no useful analytical studies to identify the causes of contamination in the poultry meat processing plants in Korea. This study was conducted to investigate the potential hazards during the operations by the microbiological examination for the poultry meat processing plant (20,000 birds capacity a day) located in Kangwon province. In spite of air contamination of work places, it may not directly affect the surface contamination of poultry meats. But the risk of Campylobacter jejuni/coli contamination was high. The number of total count was decreased about ten times, but remarkable changes of microbial contamination could not be recognized in each procedure during the operations. The washing water was already contaminated as much as $10^{3-6}CFU/ml$ in SPC before the operations. It means that to keep water tanks hygienic is a primary step to prevent the occurrences of microbial contamination. The overflow and recirculation of water in scalding, washing, and chilling was aslo an important factor for a hygienic control. Based on this study, the followings could be regarded as an important factors for hygenic control in the poultry slaughtering plants on a small scale. The temperature of water used for scalding should be constantly maintained on a required temperature, and the overflow rate of 1~1.5 liter per bird. The carcass surface and the body cavity should be washed thoroughly and the cross-contamination due to facilities, workers, and tools should be prevented. The chilling water sholud be maintained under 5$\circ$C of temperature with ice and overflow, and residual chlorine level of 50 ppm.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.44 no.2
• /
• pp.225-231
• /
• 2004

This study was conducted to determine the incidence of microorganisms associated with dressed broiler with intact skin and without skin at different frozen storage periods such as 0, 10, 20, 30 days and to demonstrate the role of packaging and pretreatment chilling on the changes of carcass quality. The values of total viable count (TVC), total coliform count (TCC), total streptococcal count (TStC) and total staphylococcal count (TSC) were determined for meat samples of thigh and breast and swab samples of visceral surfaces of the broilers with intact skin and without skin. It was observed that the values of TVC, TCC, TStC and TSC in both cases of dressed broiler with intact skin and without skin exceeded the International Commission on Microbiological Specification for Foods. However, numbers of microorganisms were considerably decreased during the frozen storage. Packing and prechilled conditions were generally better effective in decrease of the loads of microorganisms than without packing and prechilled conditions, and lower bacterial numbers were also found in dressed broiler with intact skin than that without skin. The highest sensory panel score was obtained at 10 days of frozen storage. These results, thus, indicate that usages of appropriate periods and conditions of frozen storage and packaging systems can minimize the potential health hazards associated with contaminants gaining access to the dressed or processed broilers and improve the quality and shelf life of dressed broilers.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.465-473
• /
• 1996

The purpose of this study was to evaluate microbiological hazards in the steps of production, transportation and selling of hamburger and sandwich that were marketed in CVS, then to identify methods of control. The reasults are as follows: As the reasult of operation surroundings of manufacturerand reserch of circulation, $4{\sim}6$ hours are needed from manufacturer to CVS. Also transportation car mean temperature was $10^{\circ}C$ which exceeds the standard of $7^{\circ}C$ or below. Hamburger: Critical control points identified were purchasing, cooking, post-preparation, transportation and holding at CVS. As the reasult of microbial analysis following the case of holding methods and reheating at CVS, microbes of cold holding and reheat after cold holding was within standard value. But in the case of room temperature microbes exceeded standard value. Sandwich: Critical control points identified were purchasing, cooking, post-preparation, transportation and holding at CVS. As the reasult of microbial analysis following the case of holding methods and reheating at CVS, total plate counts of cold holding and reheat after cold holding was within standard value. But in the case of room temperature holding after 24 hours total plate counts exceeded standard value. In the case of room temperature holding the number of microbes increased according to the passage of time. As a reasult of food poisoning bacteria, it was negative in every test in sample against V. parahaemolyticus, Salmonella, S. aureus.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.284-292
• /
• 2016

The purpose of this study was to analyze the personal hygiene status of foodservice employees as well as microbiological counts of their hands according to food safety education. A survey was conducted for employees who worked at five foodservice facilities, and the results of the survey were assessed using the SAS program (ver. 9.3). A total of 20 employees' hands were sampled to analyze aerobic plate counts (APCs), coliforms counts (CCs), and Staphylococcus aureus. The food safety education program was composed of four education sessions, including microbiological evaluation of employees' hands. According to the survey results, all employees wore a sanitary uniform, hair cap, and shoes. However, 96% of employees used the restroom wearing sanitary shoes, whereas just 20% of them washed their hands using the standard method. Additionally, employees washed hands after using the restroom (100%), before using single-use gloves (76%), after eating (76%). The results of the microbiological hazards analysis of foodservice employees' hands showed that the average numbers of APCs and CCs before cooking were 5.53 log CFU/hand and 2.95 log CFU/hand respectively, whereas the average numbers of APCs and CCs while cooking at foodservice facilities were 6.49 log CFU/hand and 3.29 log CFU/hand, respectively. Staphylococcus aureus was detected in 10% of their hands before cooking and 5% of their hands while cooking. The average numbers of APCs and CCs were significantly reduced before cooking as well as while cooking, and Staphylococcus aureus was not detected in any of the samples as the frequency of food safety education increased. In conclusion, this study shows that it is necessary for foodservice employees to regularly participate in food safety education with effective instruments in order to improve their hygiene level.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.181-188
• /
• 2022

Despite the recent increase in the consumption level of the processed meat-byproducts, the health and safety issue has consistently been raised in the processes of production, distribution and consumption. The purpose of this study is to analyze and evaluate the microbiological hazard elements in the Korean sausage, "Sundae," to present not only the safety standard of meat by-product vendors based on HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point), but also the quality control criteria and sanitary arrangements of small manufacturers. For the study, the microbiological hazards in 24 raw materials, 7 manufacturing processes, 40 facilities and tools, 17 workplace environment, and 12 workers were analyzed. The analysis revealed the hazardous elements in the initial stages with 6.28 and 4.07 log CFU/g of total aerobic count and coliforms, respectively, detected from the porcine blood and 3.23 log CFU/g of coliforms from the porcine small intestines. The result also showed that the total aerobic counts and coliforms in the process of mixing and filling process exceeds the standards in the hygiene guidelines by Natick with the total aerobic counts of 5.23, 5.45 log CFU/g, and the coliforms of 3.25, and 3.31 log CFU/g, respectively. Although the detected total aerobic count and the coliforms in the filling and washing rooms exceeded the standards, it was found that the total aerobic count was significantly reduced by 98% after cleaning and disinfecting and no coliforms was detected in any process thereafter. In order to achieve high level of safety in the manufacturing processes of Sundae, the separation of washing and disinfection room from the other sections and the sanitation control of the workers must be preceded, along with strict monitoring in the storage and distribution processes. The study raises necessity for additional studies for the safety evaluation of the processed meat-byproducts and further researches on the validity of the critical limits.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.69-74
• /
• 2013

This study has been performed for 150 days from February 1 - June 31, 2012 aiming at analyzing biologically hazardous factors in order to develop HACCP system for the vinegared pickle radishes. A process chart was prepared as shown on Fig. 1 by referring to manufacturing process of manufacturer of general vinegared pickle radishes regarding process of raw agricultural products of vinegared pickle radishes, used water, warehousing of additives and packing material, storage, careful selection, washing, peeling off, cutting, sorting out, stuffing (filling), internal packing, metal detection, external packing, storage and consignment (delivery). As a result of measuring Coliform group, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Bacillus cereus, Listeria Monocytogenes, E. coli O157:H7, Clostridium perfringens, Yeast and Mold before and after washing raw radishes, Bacillus cereus was $5.00{\times}10$ CFU/g before washing but it was not detected after washing and Yeast and Mold was $3.80{\times}10^2$ CFU/g before washing but it was reduced to 10 CFU/g after washing and other pathogenic bacteria was not detected. As a result of testing microorganism variation depending on pH (2-5) of seasoning fluid (condiment), pH 3-4 was determined as pH of seasoning fluid as all the bacteria was not detected in pH3-4. As a result of testing air-borne bacteria (number of general bacteria, colon bacillus, fungus) depending on each workplace, number of microorganism of internal packing room, seasoning fluid processing room, washing room and storage room was detected to be 10 CFU/Plate, 2 CFU/Plate, 60 CFU/Plate and 20 CFU/Plate, respectively. As a result of testing palm condition of workers, as number of general bacteria and colon bacillus was represented to be high as 346 $CFU/Cm^2$ and 23 $CFU/Cm^2$, respectively, an education and training for individual sanitation control was considered to be required. As a result of inspecting surface pollution level of manufacturing facility and devices, colon bacillus was not detected in all the specimen but general bacteria was most dominantly detected in PP Packing machine and Siuping machine (PE Bulk) as $4.2{\times}10^3CFU/Cm^2$, $2.6{\times}10^3CFU/Cm^2$, respectively. As a result of analyzing above hazardous factors, processing process of seasoning fluid where pathogenic bacteria may be prevented, reduced or removed is required to be controlled by CCP-B (Biological) and threshold level (critical control point) was set at pH 3-4. Therefore, it is considered that thorough HACCP control plan including control criteria (point) of seasoning fluid processing process, countermeasures in case of its deviation, its verification method, education/training and record control would be required.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.20-26
• /
• 2017

Foodborne disease outbreaks associated with produces have been increasing in occurrence worldwide. This study investigated microbial contamination levels on thirteen kinds of agricultural products from farms stage to evaluate potential hazards associated with foodborne illness. A total of 1,820 samples were collected in major cultivating area from 2013 through 2015, and analyzed to enumerate aerobic bacterial counts, coliforms/E. coli, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, the prevalence study for four kinds of microorganisms (Escherichia coli, E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes) was performed on each sample. Aerobic bacterial counts ranged from 0.01 to 7.18 log CFU/g, with the highest bacterial cell counts recorded for watermelon. Coliforms were detected in 651 samples (35.8%) with a minimum of 0.01 log CFU/g and a maximum of more than 5 log CFU/g. B. cereus was detected in 169 samples (9.3%) ranging from < 0.01 to 2.48 log CFU/g among total samples analyzed. S. aureus was detected in 14 samples (0.7%) with a minimum of 0.01 log CFU/g and a maximum of 1.69 log CFU/g. E. coli was detected in 101 samples (5.5%) among 1,820 samples. E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp. and L. monocytogenes were not detected in any of the samples. The microbial contamination levels of several agricultural products determined in this study may be used as the fundamental data for microbiological risk assessment (MRA).

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.324-329
• /
• 2013

This study investigated and evaluated contamination levels of bacteria on tomatoes at farms stage to evaluate potential hazards associated with fresh tomatoes. A total of 170 samples, 90 samples from 5 sampling sites from 18 farms and 80 samples from 1 sampling site from 4 farms every month for four months, were analyzed to enumerate aerobic bacterial counts, coliforms, E. coli, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogenes. Aerobic bacterial counts ranged from 0.48 to 6.15 Log CFU/g, with the lowest and the highest bacterial cell counts recorded for A site and E site, respectively. Thirty five percent of the samples from the E site contained more than 2 Log CFU/g. Six samples (6.6%) of 90 samples contained B. cereus less than 1 Log CFU/g. In addition, the contamination level of indicator bacteria and B. cereus in tomatoes were higher on March than on April, May and June (P < 0.05). S. aureus, E. coli, E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp. and L. monocytogenes were not detected in the tomato samples. The microbial contamination levels of tomatoes determined in this study may be used as the data for microbiological risk assessment.