• Human Ecology Research
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.69-81
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• 2016

Consumer anxiety about food safety is increasing, and the ability to make an accurate assessment is inadequate due to the lack of food safety information. This research focuses on relations among main variables, such as food hazard awareness, food apprehension, food safety information awareness, and food safety management system evaluation. In addition, to the moderating effects of food safety information awareness between food hazards awareness, food apprehension, and food safety management system evaluation. First, food hazards awareness and apprehension was slightly higher than the average level, also there was a significant difference in food hazard apprehension according to food hazard awareness. However, the level of food safety information was not high, meaning consumers were not as well informed as expected. We divided food safety management system evaluation into awareness and practice, subsequently, the results of both were at a low level. Food safety information awareness' moderating effect was also confirmed. Consumer organizations and the government need to provide specific and correct information to Korean consumers, that also implement a wide range of consumer education related policies.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.87-96
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• 2005

This survey was conducted to assess the perception of hazards and washing behavior of vegetables of 500 housewives in Korea. The subjects were selected by the stratified random sampling method. The survey was performed using a structured questionnaire through telephone interviews by skilled interviewers. Most people have bought vegetables and fruits in the supermarket or (traditional) markets rather than stores, department stores, or direct transactions. Eighteen percent of the subjects felt vegetables were secure and were not concerned about safety. But $42.8{\%}$ were concerned about vegetable safety. The perceptions of vegetable-related hazards differed significantly by the respondent's socioeconomic characteristics. Higher concern about vegetable safety was reported by subjects with higher income, children, and who usually buy vegetables in supermarkets or department stores. Most subjects ($88.6{\%}$) perceived that residues of chemical substances such as pesticides were the most significant potential vegetable risk factor, followed by heavy metal, and pathogens. Housewives mainly rinsed vegetables in flowing-water ($85.2{\%}$ of subjects), 3${\~}$4 times ($63.8{\%}$ of subjects), and without detergent ($90.6{\%}$). Subjects believed that hazards decreased by blanching or boiling vegetables rather than washing. Subjects realized more or less correctly the removal rate of pesticide and pathogen through the washing and cooking processes. However, the removal rate of heavy metals was less than subjects thought it would be. Therefore, the scientifically assessed results on safety in the washing and cooking process should be opened to the public to provide the right-to-know and assure confidence in consumers.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.119-140
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• 2019

Objectives: This study was based on the occurrence of a coffee roasting process-related disorder(bronchiolitis obliterans; published by NIOSH in the US) among workers exposed to chemicals called diacetyl in a coffee processing facility. Flavorings added to coffee contain diacetyl and 2,3-pentanedione, all of which are subject to exposure in a number of food manufacturing processes, including coffee roasting, grinding, and packaging. Therefore, this study aims to review the toxicity to workers related to food processing and food additive manufacturing to prevent occupational diseases. Methods: We surveyed the related literature, domestic and international references, and the status of relevant domestic and foreign professional organizations. The present situation of workers was investigated by reviewing literature on the safety and health of workers in the coffee roasting process using domestic and foreign literature and presentations. Expert advisory opinions were reflected, and experts were consulted by participating in domestic and overseas academic conferences. Results: Most of the fragrance materials for coffee were harmful and hazardous substances according to the GHS classification, and research was carried out through a second external consultation. A literature review on the measurement of air pollutant emissions from coffee roasters and the estimation of air pollutant emissions during coffee roasting examined the characteristics of pollutants emitted during coffee roasting. Conclusions: Two chemicals identified as causing bronchiolitis obliterans in the coffee roasting process are believed to explain why the disease is difficult to treat. This information can be used effectively in the future prevention of this disease. Future studies should clearly identify the potential for toxicity of alpha-diketones and the bases of OELs in relation to the occurrence of obstructive bronchiolitis, including measurement of various organic compounds and alpha-diketones from ground coffee, as well as various coffee grinds and coffee bean varieties. In particular, it is necessary to clarify the current understanding of the dose-response relationship between alpha-diketone and lung disease in workers involved in coffee roasting.

• 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.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.61-73
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• 2011

The aim of this study was to develop a reliable dietary questionnaire to assess human exposure to food-borne hazards. Eleven food-borne hazards were chosen as a priority control list through a literature review and advisory committees. The 11 food-borne hazards were phthalate, aflatoxin, bisphenol A, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, dioxin, polychlorinated biphenyls, mercury, lead, cadmium, arsenic, and acrylamide. The characteristics, exposure level, and paths of these hazards were reviewed, and questionnaire items were identified to assess human exposure from the literature. A questionnaire was developed for each selected food based on its characteristics. Based on the items in the individual questionnaires, a comprehensive questionnaire, which contained demographic characteristics, job information, socioeconomic factors, health related lifestyles, and dietary behaviors, was developed. A 99-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess food-borne hazard exposure was also developed. The FFQ included frequency of food intake during the previous year, container type for purchasing and storing food, and cooking method. The questionnaire developed in this study could be applied to assess dietary factors during an exposure assessment of food-borne hazards in a large population. A validation study for the questionnaire is needed before applying it to surveys.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.162-168
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• 2009

This study was conducted the analysis of food safety incidents between January 1998 and October 2008 using media reports. Total number of food safety incident was 569 through the study period. The average of food safety incident per year and month was 51.7and 4.9, respectively. The top 10 food types involved in the lists of food safety incidents were as follows; marine products, meat and meat products, confectionaries, beverages, special nutritional food, teas, noodles, soy and bean paste sauces, and milk and milk products etc. The top 10 single foods also were as follows; ready-to eats, meat, confectionary, health support foods, steeping tea, infant formula, meat products, ginseng products, foods for body weight control etc. Of the total 569 incidents, 247 (43.4%) were related with chemical hazards involving pesticide, food additives etc, biological hazards were 126 (22.1 %), and physical hazards were 97 (17.0%) incidents. In analysis stage in the food chain at which breakdown in food safety occurred, primary production were the most common stage with 364 (64%) incidents, and incidents at the manufacture handling and distribution stages were with 151 (26.5%), and 44 (7.7%), respectively. The results of this study can be used as a better data for risk analysis or food safety strategies.

• 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.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.135-144
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• 2008

This study was carried out to investigate alcohol consumption and dietary behavior of college students in the Chungbuk area. Alcohol consumption, dietary behavior, food preferences, food intake frequency and one-day dietary records were surveyed using questionnaires given to 387 college students. The mean heights and weights of subjects were $175.0{\pm}5.6cm\;and\;69.1{\pm}9.3kg$ in males, and $162.5{\pm}4.8cm\;and\;52.3{\pm}7.9kg$ in females. About 89% of subjects (male 90.6%, female 87.3%) consumed alcohol, and most of them had experienced their first drink due to peer pressure in high school. Usually the subjects were drinking with their friends 1-2 times/week and the amount of alcohol consumed was one or more bottles of Soju. More than 69% of the subjects had tried to quit drinking but more efficient campaigns promoting non-drinking behavior are still necessary since the recognition of the hazards of alcohol seemed not enough to convince college students to stop. The dietary behavior of college students was generally inadequate showing indifference to dietary balance, irregularity of meals, and skipping breakfast. It was more inadequate in the frequent drinking group. In the drinking group, while the food intake frequency scores for milk & dairy products, and fruits were significantly lower, the scores for fast food, frozen food and instant ramen were significantly higher. The mean DVS and DDS were found to be 12.61 and 3.93, respectively, and there was no significant difference shown by alcohol consumption. The dietary management of college student needs to be improved in many aspects. It is further troubled by alcohol consumption. Therefore, a nutrition education program including information on the hazards of alcohol and responsible drinking should be developed and provided.

• Korea Trade Review
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.63-82
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• 2019

Due to technological development in the globalized food system, quantitative problems of food supply have been solved, but food risks have expanded from problems in specific regions to global problems. In order to maximize the efficiency of agricultural production, the growth in agricultural production system, procirement of raw materials, establishment of food processing processes and establishment of food supply chain systems are required. Control of hazards requires facility and administrative efforts. In this study, we examined the role of CSR in conjunction with food safety. Food SCM is related to food safety and correlates with the food supply chain. In terms of the triple bottom line theory, CSR is correlated with SCM and it is possible to pursue food safety through corporate CSR and SCM. In this study, it is statistically confirmed that SCM and CSR are in a positive relationship. In the impact of CSR on food safety, it has been confirmed that economic responsibility and legal responsibility take precedence over environmental responsibility and social responsibility. Based on this, we can achieve food safety through SCM and CSR, and we can decide which of CSR activities can be prioritized.