• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.114-120
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activities of chopping boards made of various materials such as three antibiotic plastics, a general plastic, and various woods (red pine, rubber tree, cypress, birch, and bamboo) using zone inhibition assay and real-time PCR. Wood chopping boards showed high antimicrobial activity against Vibrio vulnificus, while plastic chopping boards showed high antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Staphylococcus aureus. Bamboo chopping board among the wood chopping boards showed the highest antimicrobial activity against five foodborne bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7, S. Typhimurium, Vibrio cholerae, and V. vulnificus. These results may be helpful in the selection of a chopping board with high antimicrobial activity and in the application of hygiene procedures for prevention of cross-contamination.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.225-229
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• 2009

The efficacy of ozone water in reducing food-borne pathogenic bacteria on High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and wooden chopping boards in food industry was investigated in this study. 1-5 log reductions of E. coli O157:H7, S. aureus, S. Typhimurium, and B. cereus were observed with increasing concentrations of ozone water. The immersion treatment evidenced superior capability to inactivate food-borne pathogens than washing treatment. The Gram-negative bacteria, such as E. coli O157:H7 and S. Typhimurium, evidenced lower resistance against ozone water than was seen with the gram-positive bacteria, which included S. aureus and B. cereus. The sterilizing effects of ozone water on HDPE chopping boards was superior to that on wooden boards. This result might be utilized to remove food-borne pathogens from food contact surfaces in the food industry.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.303-308
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• 2015

The objectives of this study were to investigate the microbial contamination level of domestic kitchen environments and to provide information to improve food safety in 50 domestic house kitchens located in Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi-do. Dishcloth, chopping board, and refrigerator swabs were examined for the presence of coliforms, Salmonella spp., Campylobacter jejuni/coli, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus. The means and standard deviations of coliform counts for dishcloths was $4.8{\pm}1.84log\;CFU/100g$, chopping boards, and refrigerator drawers were $4.04{\pm}1.53$, $4.11{\pm}1.65log\;CFU/100cm^2$, respectively. Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter jejuni/coli were not detected in all samples. E. coli were detected in 3 on the dishcloths and 1 of 50 samples in the refrigerator drawer. Listeria monocytogenes was detected in the drawer of the refrigerator in 2 of 50 samples. In the case of Staphylococcus aureus, the detection on dishcloths, chopping boards, and drawers in refrigerators was 21, 12, and 14 of 50 samples, respectively. The results of microbiological tests of domestic kitchen utensils can be used to emphasize the importance of the sanitary conditions in domestic kitchen environments.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.88-97
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• 2014

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of microbiological contamination of kitchen utensils and environments of food service operations at university located in Seoul, Korea. Methods: We collected swab samples from the surfaces of knives, chopping boards, floors, and drains, as well as drinking water and airborne bacteria samples from 20 food service operations. Three bacterial indicators and five food poisoning bacteria were measured quantitatively and qualitatively, respectively. We used selective culture media and the PCR assay targeting 16S rRNA gene for the microbiological analysis. Results: We detected bacterial indicators on knives or chopping boards in eight different food service operations and, three food service operations (I, M, and O) showed more than 3 log colony forming units $(CFU)/100cm^2$ on their knives, significantly higher than the others. The levels of bacterial indicators on the floors and drains in the cooking areas were much higher than those on the cooking utensils. S. aureus was detected on 10 floors and 8 drains. Culturable bacteria were identified in 5 drinking water samples, and food service operation B ($431.1CFU/m^3$) and C ($551.2CFU/m^3$) showed more than $400CFU/m^3$ of total airborne bacteria. Conclusions: These results suggest that some of food service operations in this study may require additional investigation to secure the microbial safety of cooking environments. In addition, further actions including hygiene education for employees and proper guidelines to maintain clean cooking environments should be prepared.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.647-658
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• 2003

Foodservice at elementary schools has been provided nation-wide. It is predictable that foodborne diseases would increase continuously. Formation of a counterplan is urgently needed. This study was designed to identify the stage which contains the critical control points (CCPs) for the microbiological management of HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) at the foodservice provided at elementary schools. Foodservice places at four elementary schools in Seoul were sampled and the overall hygiene of cooking, utensils and equipment, employees, and environment by season were examined. The results showed that the number of bacteria in overall samples was increased and that E. coli, Salmonella and Staphylococcus by biochemical test emerged in more diverse samples in summer than in spring. Particularly, the number of aerial bacteria in summer was three-fold greater than that in either spring or winter. E. coli 0157 was not detected, although Salmonella was identified by PCR analysis in the meat knives, chopping boards, waste bins and meat dish at elementary school foodservice. According to this data, cross-contamination should be managed in the stage of mixing up the ingredients with improper equipments and insanitary treatments. Thus, the establishment of SSOP (Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures) and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) at elementary school foodservice is stringently required, along with sanitation education for workers and employees as CCPs.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.277-284
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• 2009

Currently food-borne disease is being increased at outdoor food services including hotels and restaurants. Speedy and convenient practical monitoring techniques to determine hygienic conditions are needed. This study was designed to verify correlation of direct ATP (Adenosine Tri-Phosphate) examination method using ATP bioluminescence and surveillance with check-list by inspector. Hygienic status of personal hygiene (hands), kitchen utensils (knives, chopping boards, kitchen towels, cap openers, food storage containers, and blade of slice machines), facilities and equipments (refrigerator handles, worktables, and sinks) in five major hotels in Seoul were examined. The result of personal hygiene of hotels was relatively better than other inspection items (46.6 points in personal hygiene, 40.2 points in kitchen utensils, 40.3 points in facilities & equipments). In ATP inspection, kitchen utensils and facilities & equipments were relatively clean comparing with personal hands data ($40.8{\pm}6.77\;RLU/cm^2$). After correlation analysis of surveillance in hygienic status points and ATP value, all results showed negative and high correlation. The surveillance data and ATP results investigating personal hygiene, kitchen utensils and facilities & equipments were highly correlated. The ATP examination method which shows real-time identification could be considered as an appropriate method to alternate current check-list dependent safety management in food services including hotels.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.10
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• pp.1457-1465
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• 2009

This study was conducted to analyze the food safety management practices and to provide data that could be used to improve food safety management at kindergarten foodservice establishments in Daegu and Gyeongbuk province. Microbiological hazard analysis was conducted from May to July, 2008 at the four foodservice establishments. A total (20 items) of foodservice facilities, cooking utensils, and equipment were tested about total plate counts, coliforms, E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogenes. The microbiological detected levels were higher than the critical limits for prepreparing and cooking knives, chopping boards, working tables (both prepreparing and cooking), refrigerator (inside wall), bart, basket, and tray. E. coli, Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogens were not detected in any samples. However, Staphylococcus aureus were detected in rubber gloves for cooking and trench in the bottom at one foodservice establishment. In conclusion, these results suggest that a prerequisite programs guideline should be provided to improve the food safety levels at kindergarten foodservice establishments and the foodservice manager must maintain proper food safety technique for foodservice facilities, cooking utensils, and equipment at kindergarten foodservice establishments to prevent cross-contamination and spread of foodborne pathogens.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.232-236
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• 2005

This study was performed to find out the patterns of Listeria spp. contamination during Kimbab preparation at the specialized restaurants. Samples were collected from ingredients, containers, equipments, and environments from two Kimbab restaurants from July through September, 2004. Isolation rate of Listeria spp. was $43.2\%$ among 264 samples. Strains isolated were Listeria innocua $35.9\%$, L. murrayi $6.8\%$, and L. grayii $0.3\%$. No L. monocytogenes was detected. Contamination level of ingredients, containers, equipments, and Kimbab sampled during afternoon was all significantly higher than the samples collected during morning(P < 0.05). The most influencing factor of contamination was improper handling or no disinfection procedures during Kimbab preparation. Safety controls are recommended as follows; prevention of cross-contamination during ingredients Preparation, temperature control for ingredients and Kimbab during holding, cleaning and disinfection of chopping boards and knives during preparation processing, and frequent changes of disposable gloves. Kimbab restaurants should recognize the importance of safety control using the Good Hygienic Practices.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.603-616
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• 2010

Based on recent dramatic increases in foodborne outbreaks in restaurants, self-managed sanitation systems are now recommended to control contributing risk factors. This study aimed to improve sanitation management practices in restaurants and had two objectives. First, we tried to develop a self-managed sanitation check-list, including risk factors contributing to foodborne illness and Korean food hygiene regulation articles. We also tried to evaluate current sanitation management practices in restaurants according to operation and restaurant type. Thirty restaurants were evaluated by on-the-spot inspectors using an auditing tool consisting of four dimensions, seventeen categories, and forty-one items. Total compliance rate categorized by operation type significantly differed between chain restaurants and self-managed restaurants, with values of 85.5% and 51.6%, respectively. Therefore, self-managed restaurants, which showed the lowest compliance rate of below 30.0%, need more strict control to improve current unsanitary management practices, specifically relating to 'sterilization of knives, chopping boards, and wiping cloths', 'sanitation training', 'not allowing access into the kitchen to outsiders', 'handling of food or utensils on shelves at a 15 cm distance away from floor', 'prevention of cross-contamination of cooked foods or vegetables', and 'records of kitchen access or inspection'. Thus, an effective food sanitation system is essential and should be implemented to improve the existing sanitary conditions in restaurants. However, the most important factor to achieving food sanitation management objectives is food handlers' self-motivation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.747-759
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• 2001

The sanitary status of 264 restaurants was investigated to develop a program of sanitary education at restaurants for improving sanitary levels of restaurant and consumers’ food safety. This investigation was performed through direct interviews on general items and sanitations for employees, facilities, equipments and food treatment. The restaurants are grouped into four different types according to the food served: Korean style food, Japanese style raw fish, roasted ribs, and western style food. It is found that sanitary education for employees are conducted at 66.5% of the total restaurants. The highest percentages are obtained by Korean style food restaurants (83.1%) and the lowest by western style food restaurants (55.6%).Washing facilities for employees are equipped at only 66.8% of the total restaurants. In the personal sanitation, 96.6% of the employees wash their hand after touching a dirty stuff, 77.5% after touching money and 57.1% after using telephone. It is also revealed that during food preparation shoes, overgarments, and caps are worn by 58.5%, 55.5%, and 20.6% of the employees, respectively. 73.5% of the restaurants are equipped with dish storages facilities while only 59.2% of restaurants have sterilizers for dishes. Also, chopping boards are sterilized more than once a week by 74.8% of them and knives everyday by 71.6%, 15.4% of restaurants sterilize their knives only once a week. 56.8% of restaurants check temperatures of the refrigerators and 26.2% of restaurants do not even sterilize the refrigerators. 31.8% of restaurants sterilize the kitchens with sodium hopochlorite after cooking. 93.3% of the restaurants store the raw food and the cooked foods separately. 49.8% of the restaurants refroze thawed food and 19.4% of the restaurants reuse leftovers. The frozen foods are thawed at room temperature by 49.4% of the total restaurants and 66.7% of the roasted rib restaurants.