• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.555-561
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to analyze the microbiological hazards of dried fish (Jwieochae, Ojingeochae and Bugeochae), and to apply pretreatment methods to increase the safety of cooked dried fish within foodservice establishments. Microbiological inspections were conducted on Total Plate Count, Coliforms, E. coli, E. coli O157:H7, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes. The study results are summarized as follows. According to the Hazard analysis, there are many problems showing high numbers in terms of Total Plate Count and Coliforms, which were both well over acceptable standard levels. E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus were detected at certain foodservice establishments, while E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes were not detected at all. By applying various pretreatment methods, such as washing, blanching, pan frying and microwave heating, the levels of microbiological hazards were able to be controlled and lowered. Blanching was the most effective method, followed by panfrying, microwave heating and washing. The Total Plate Counts gradually decreased with increasing number of times washed and seconds panfried. From these results, it is concluded that to guarantee food safety, cooked dried fish raw materials should be kept hygienically and appropriate pretreatment methods applied before cooking.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2024

Background: The present study aimed to analyze several aspects of the working conditions and health status of platform workers in the Republic of Korea, such as ergonomic and emotional hazards. We also compared the health status of the platform workers with that of the general population. Methods: A total of 1,000 platform workers participated in this survey from August 7 to August 17, 2022. The participants included 400 designated drivers, 400 food-delivery drivers, and 200 housekeeping managers. A face-to-face survey with a structured questionnaire was conducted by researchers who had received specific instructions. The focus of the survey extended to the work environment, encompassing factors such as workplace violence, as well as physical, chemical, and ergonomic hazards. Health-related data for the previous year were also collected, covering a range of issues such as hearing problems, skin problems, musculoskeletal symptoms, headaches, injuries, mental health issues, and digestive problems. Subsequently, we compared the health symptom data of the responders with those of the general population in the Republic of Korea. Results: Platform workers, including designated drivers, food-delivery drivers, and housekeeping managers, existed in the blind spot of social insurance, facing frequent exposure to physical and chemical hazards, ergonomic risk factors, and direct or indirect violence. The prevalence of health problems, including musculoskeletal symptoms, general fatigue, and depressive symptoms, in each occupational group was statistically higher than that in the general population after standardization for age and gender. Conclusion: The results revealed unfavorable working environment and inferior occupational health of platform workers compared with those of the general population.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.31 no.5 s.86
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• pp.431-443
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• 2005

This study was performed to investigate the perceptions of the opinion leaders, such as government officials, researchers, NGO workers, and journalists on the risks of endocrine disrupters (EDs) and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) as well as the related policies on these two hazards or potential hazards. The opinion leaders generally considered the EDs as the most serious hazard among twenty-one environmental health hazards in Korea, and agreed that the EDs would continuously be the most serious hazard. On overall average, the GMOs were ranked the 11th among the twenty-one health hazards. Further investigation indicated that the GMOs were variously ranked by the group of respondents: they were ranked the 2nd by the NGO workers, the 7th by the journalists, the 9th by the researchers and the 11th by the government officials. In general, the respondents considered the dioxin as a hazard with the highest risk while the GMOs were considered less hazardous. The opinion leaders considered that although the risks of the GMOs and EDs were not fully verified, the risks should be controlled through the legislation. The EDs and GMOs should be separately regulated for the time being, while the EDs should put under more strengthened regulation. It is recommended that a web-site containing the information on the EDs and the GMOs be prepared for the journalists. In addition, a training program in relation to the EDs and the GMOs needs to be organized by the Korean Press Foundation and the Korea Food and Drug Administration to educate the journalists. A committee consisting of government officials, scientists, and NGO workers needs to be established, and it should provide framework of future policies and public relations programs.

• Safe Food
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.13-23
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• 2014

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.36-42
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• 2005

The purpose of this study is to develope a HACCP model for Korean traditional cookies. Prerequisite program and HACCP plan were proposed and analyzed for Yugwa. After analysing hazards of raw material and manufacturing processes, CCP, CL and control methods were presented. Pathogenic microorganisms were detected at the Korean traditional cookies plant. It gave a clue that general sanitation control procedures should be implemented for safe traditional cookie products. Hazard analysis of raw materials and processing of Korean traditional cookies, determination of critical control points and critical limits at the plant lead to present a model of HACCP plan. Implementation of HACCP can be carried out using a HACCP model. Critical control point of Yugwa production were determined as frying process. Biological and chemical hazards were presented for CCP determination.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2020

Foodborne diseases (FBD) pose significant public health problems and economic losses worldwide. In recent years, emerging foodborne diseases have resulted mainly from novel bacteria, viruses, protozoa, mycotoxins, prions in animal and plant sources. The consumption of unsafe food contaminated with harmful bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemical agents or naturally occurring toxins results in high morbidity and mortality. However, estimating the incidence and burden of FBD is a huge global challenge due to the difficulty in food source attribution to specific pathogenic or chemical hazards, underreported cases, diagnosing how infections are transmitted or when a person is infected are not well understood and thus makes the control of FBD very challenging. Therefore, implementing comprehensive food safety strategies and policies, enhancing surveillance, ensuring resilient health system, and intensifying education and training to ensure safe food and prevent foodborne diseases is everybody's responsibility.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.352-358
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• 2017

The object of this study is to assess physicochemical and microbiological hazards involved during the processing of shellfish products such as oysters, clam, and mussels. Samples including raw materials, intermediates, and final products in the processing process were collected from seven simple-processed shellfish facilities. In the samples obtained from the facilities, viable cell count and coliform group were detected less than that of the Korean Government guidelines. In addition, the high-risk bacterial pathogens such as Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella sp., and Listeria monocytogenes were not identified in raw materials and final products. However, the low-risk pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, were detected in some final products. The level of heavy metal content in the final products tested in this study meets the recommendations by the Korean Government standard guidelines. No foreign materials in the final products were also observed. Considering these results, it was concluded that no significant food hazards exists in the processing process of simple-processed shellfish products. However, it is essential to improve the food safety control in the shellfish processing facilities since S. aureus, a personal sanitary indicative bacterium, was continuously detected over seven simple-processed shellfish facilities.

• Journal of the FoodService Safety
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.38-44
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• 2022

This study investigated the microbiological hazards in the manufacturing processes of Naengmyeon. Sanitary indicative bacteria, such as aerobic plate counts and coliforms as well as pathogenic bacteria, were examined from raw materials, manufacturing processes, working area, 17 utensils and equipment. The aerobic plate counts for raw materials and arrowroot starch estimated as 0.77±0.68~5.02±0.28 and 5.02±0.28 log CFU/g, respectively. Coliforms were detected from wheat flour, buckwheat flour, and potato starch. Staphylococcus aureus was detected to be 0.61±1.06 log CFU/g in wheat flour and 0.20±0.35 log CFU/g in buckwheat flour. During the manufacturing process, aerobic plate counts for kneading process were 4.54±0.34 log CFU/g. But after the press out and heat process, contamination of aerobic plate counts and coliforms decreased and remained at a low level until the release process. Aerobic plate counts before washing disinfection of screw were 3.28±0.62 log CFU/100 cm², the level of which was high in utensils and equipment that had contact with employees or water. These results represent not only an important indicator for the hygienic level but also a scientific basis for analyzing biological hazards, which lead to the introduction of HACCP for the production of safe and hygienic cold noodles processed by manufacturers.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.3
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• pp.409-431
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• 2022

Various insects have emerged as novel feed resources due to their economical, eco-friendly, and nutritive characteristics. Fish, poultry, and pigs are livestock that can feed on insects. The digestibility of insect-containing meals were presented by the species, life stage, nutritional component, and processing methods. Several studies have shown a reduced apparent digestibility coefficient (ADC) when insects were supplied as a replacement for commercial meals related to chitin. Although the expression of chitinase mRNA was present in several livestock, indigestible components in insects, such as chitin or fiber, could be a reason for the reduced ADC. However, various components can positively affect livestock health. Although the bio-functional properties of these components have been verified in vitro, they show positive health-promoting effects owing to their functional expression when directly applied to animal diets. Changes in the intestinal microbiota of animals, enhancement of immunity, and enhancement of antibacterial activity were confirmed as positive effects that can be obtained through insect diets. However, there are some issues with the safety of insects as feed. To increase the utility of insects as feed, microbial hazards, chemical hazards, and allergens should be regulated. The European Union, North America, East Asia, Australia, and Nigeria have established regulations regarding insect feed, which could enhance the utility of insects as novel feed resources for the future.

• Proceedings of the KSCN Conference
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• 2005.04a
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• pp.167-168
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• 2005