• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.216-220
• /
• 2002

The microbiological examinations of food service operations were conducted for the hygienic evaluation at four elementary schools in Busan, Korea. Total one hundred and seventy two swabbed samples using sponge were collected from the surface of environments, utensils and equipments of food service facilities and analyzed by measuring the total, coliform and psychrotrophic count. Sampling sites were the surfaces of floors, drains, walls, knives, cutting boards, rubber gloves, vinyl aprons, plastic containers, carriers, shelves, trays, dry shelves, electric tray dryer, food containers, soup containers, rice cookers, frying pans, boiling cookers, refrigerators, dumb waiters and dishwashers. The swabbed samples kept in an ice-parked box were transported to a laboratory and analyzed. The results demonstrated that the degree of contamination depended on the sampling sites. Averages of total counts of surface swab samples were ranged from 0.62 to 7.79 Log CFU/200 cm$^2$. The level of coliforms were ranged from not detectable to 5.26 Log CFU/200 cm$^2$, and those of psychrotrophs from not detectable to 6.15 Log CFU/200 cm$^2$. The severely contaminated sites were dumb waiters, drains, rice cookers, knives, plastic containers and floors. Also cutting boards, rubber gloves, carriers, drying shelves, vinyl aprons, boiling cookers, soup containers, frying pans and refrigerators were highly contaminated with the level of abode 3.5 Log CFU/200 cm$^2$. Therefore, those sites should be focused and controlled according to control points of sanitation standard operating procedures (SSOP). Also, periodic microbiological examination in addition to visual examination is recommended on these highly contaminated sites indicated above results at food service operations in elementary school.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.56 no.2
• /
• pp.182-187
• /
• 2023

Fifteen samples of dried laver Pyropia tenera were collected from markets and processing plants in Korea for an assessment of their microbial and chemical hazards, in accordance with the Korean food code. The contamination levels of total viable bacteria, coliforms, Escherichia coli, and nine other pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Clostridium perfringens, Listeria monocytogenes, Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, Yersinia enterocolitica, Bacillus cereus, and Campylobacter jejuni) were evaluated The concentrations of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, total mercury, and total arsenic) and radioactive isotopes (¹³¹I, and ¹³⁴Cs+¹³⁷Cs) in the laver samples were also determined. The total viable count of bacteria was 2.62±0.80 (1.48-4.45) CFU/g. The contamination levels of lead, cadmium, total mercury, and total arsenic were 0.024±0.005 (0.018-0.035), 0.090±0.038 (0.041-0.146), 0.008±0.005 (0.003-0.018) and 1.315±0.372 (0.814-1.930) mg/kg, respectively. All samples tested negative for significant levels of radioactivity, the nine pathogenic bacteria, coliforms, and E. coli (<1.00 CFU/g). We assume that ensuring the microbiological and chemical safety of dried laver can increase the demand for its exportation. The present study may serve as a basis for microbiological and chemical hazard assessment of dried lavers.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.116-122
• /
• 2011

This study was conducted to investigate the microbiological hazard of spoons and their cases carried by nursery school children and to evaluate the reduction effects of washing methods and ultraviolet (UV) treatments against Escherichia coli on the spoon and spoon case. A total of 78 spoons and their cases were sampled to test about total aerobic bacteria, coliform bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Salmonella spp. Total aerobic bacteria were detected over 2.7 log CFU/100 $cm^2$ in 20 out of 36 spoons (55.6%), 9 out of 20 zipper-type spoon cases (45.0%) and 13 out of 22 plastic-type spoon cases (59.1%). Coliform bacteria were also detected in 19 out of 36 spoons (52.8%), 14 out of 20 zipper-type spoon cases (70.0%) and 14 out of 22 plastic-type spoon cases (63.6%). The pathogens tested in this study were not found in all samples except for the zipper-type spoon cases which were contaminated with Staph. aureus (2 samples) and B. cereus (3 samples). The results indicated that the sanitary conditions of spoons and their cases should be improved promptly. To evaluate the reduction effects of washing methods and UV treatments against E. coli, the spoons and their cases were treated at different cleaning times with and without soap, and different UV exposure times, respectively. E. coli with initial cell number of 4 log CFU on the spoons and their cases was not detected when they were cleaned at running water for 30 sec after dish sponging with soap for 30 sec. In UV treatments, E. coli with the same level of washing method was not detected after UV exposure for 15 minute in the spoons and their cases. From the results, the washing and UV treatment should be used to control the microbial contamination of spoons and their cases for more than 1 and 15 minutes, respectively.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.30-36
• /
• 2012

This study was conducted to evaluate the microbiological hazard on nursery school children's hands and to investigate the reduction effect of hand washing education. A total of 59 nursery school children's hands were tested. The average number of total aerobic bacteria was $3.72{\pm}0.38log\;CFU/hand$. Five children's hands(2 male and 3 female) were positive(14.3%) for the coliform bacteria. These results showed that hand washing education are required repetitively. Among the pathogenic bacteria tested in this study, $Staphylococcus$ aureus and $Bacillus$ $cereus$ were detected in 9(25.7%) and 16(45.7%) out of 35 their hands, respectively. Twelve out of sixteen $B.$ $cereus$ isolates(70.0%) produced enterotoxin. The results indicate that the hand hygiene of nursery school children needs to be improved. Comparing before and after hand washing in educated and non-educated group, the reduction effect of total aerobic bacteria on their hands was 0.42 and 0.60 log CFU/hand, respectively. The educated group showed 0.18 log CFU/hand higher reduction effect than non-educated group but microorganism did not eliminate perfectly. From the results, using a hand sanitizer after washing with soap and the continuous hand washing education are required to control the contaminated bacteria on nursery school children's hands.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.157-171
• /
• 2006

This study was intended to suggest HACCP-based standard recipe for bellflower roots, classified as no thermal cooking process, served in a university foodservice operation. The time-temperature and microbial contamination level in each cooking step were analyzed. The temperatures of bellflower root, peeled garlic and green onion at receiving were at 13.8$\pm$2.8, 12.6$\pm$2.9 and 13.7$\pm$$0.8^\circC$ respectively, which were above the temperature limit. The time consumed for pre-preparation was up to 90 min at room temperature having high microbial growth potential. The levels of total plate counts (TPC) of bellflower root and garlic were over the limit of $10^6$ CFU/g as were the numbers of coliforms in bellflower roots. There were no microbial reductions in pre-preparation and cooking, which resulted in over $10^5$- $10^6$ CFU/g of TPC at service step. Two CCPs identified were washing/sanitation at pre-preparation and service steps. The control measures were washing/sanitation and temperature control. It was verified that CCPs for no cooking process developed in preceding studies were applicable for the microbiological food safety of this menu item. The HACCP-based standard recipe was developed to produce a quantity for 100 servings by observing the critical limits established for CCPs. These results suggest that the selection of proper provider is imperative to control the microbial contamination of raw materials at purchasing step. Also, the sanitary education program should be developed for the employees to understand and comply the HACCP plan and standard recipe.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
• /
• v.24 no.6
• /
• pp.845-852
• /
• 2014

The quality of commercial sauce products was evaluated through pH, soluble solid content, salinity, water activity and microbial analyses. The pH of sauces was 2.38~5.30, soluble solids were between 6.03 and 71.67, and distributions of salt were 0.23~5.00% in 32 commercial sauce products. In addition, water activity of vinegar red pepper sauce and spicy soft tofu stew stock were determined 0.773 and 0.988, respectively. Yeast, mold, Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli and coliform were not detected in any sauces. Higher level of total viable cells (TVC) resulted in pH over 4.2. TVC of shelf-stable sauces was 1.0~3.6 log CFU/g. TVC of seven sauce products was classified as non-potentially hazardous foods by temperature controlled for safety standard (TCS), even though levels were over acceptable guidelines of the USDA (3 log CFU/g). These results indicate that the standard and classification of commercial sauce products should be modified and controlled strictly.

• Proceedings of the Microbiological Society of Korea Conference
• /
• 2000.05a
• /
• pp.94-101
• /
• 2000

We investigated the viral contamination of water environment including tap water in Korea. River water used for source water was analyzed about monthly between 1997 and 1999 over a period 26 months. A total of 22 tap water samples were collected in 10 sites in 2 urban areas between 1997 and 1998 over a 11 months. All samples were examined for infectious enteroviruses and adenoviruses by a cell culture technique followed by PCR amplification. To identify the recovered viruses from tap water, sequence analysis of PCR products was performed. Infectious viral particles were detected in river water all year round, ranging from 0.93 to 17.3 Most Probable Number of Infectious Unit (MPNIU) /100L. Tap water samples also contained infectious viral particles. The frequency of enteroviruses and adenoviruses in tap water were $50.0\%$ (11/22) and $36.7\%$ (8/22), respectively. Both enteroviruses and adenoviruses were detected in five tap water samples $(22.7\%)$. The level of viral contamination in tap water was quite high, ranging from 0.2 to 2.9 MPNIU/100L, far above the recommended virus level in drinking water set by the U.S. EPA. Poliovirus type 1 derived from vaccine was frequently detected and the remainder comprised coxsackievirus B type or echovirus type 6, which were causative agents of aseptic meningitis in Korea in 1997 and 1998, respectively. Several types of adenovirus were detected in tap water samples and some water samples were found to contain adenoviruses which were closely related to enteric adenovirus type 40 and 41. This stusy shows that surface water and tap water in Korea may be exposed to the risk of viral contamination, especially from recently recognized viruses and this constitutes a potential public health hazard.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
• /
• v.24 no.5
• /
• pp.652-664
• /
• 2008

In this study, a Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plan was developed for the sanitary mass production of commercial Korean rice cake products (Gaepidduk, Injulmi, and Julpyon). The microbiological properties of manufacturing flow were evaluated in order to develop the HACCP Plan. The moisture contents of the rice cakes ranged between 36.2${\sim}$55.3%, whereas the water activity of all samples ranged between 0.954${\sim}$1.0. Microorganisms testing was conducted during various phases of the product flow of Korean rice cake preparation, and included assessments of food equipment, work environment, and cooking employees on a small scale. During the manufacture of Injulmi, Julpyon and Gaepidduk, CCPs were purchasing & storage, steaming and cooling, molding, and holding in the A and B manufactories. At the critical limit of CCPs, storage was conducted below at $5^{\circ}C$ in soybean powder, oil, and paste with redbeans. The steaming process was conducted above at $99^{\circ}C$ for 40 min. Cooling and holding processes were conducted for 2 hours below at $15^{\circ}C$. The molding process included sanitary education for foodhandlers and training for operators. Thus, certain prerequisite programs had to be implemented prior to the implementation of the HACCP system. High levels of bacterial contamination were detected in the aprons worn to work by some employees. Additionally, periodic sanitary education for foodhandlers and training for operators or managers was required. Cross contamination by materials was expected at the place where materials were processed or stored.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.38 no.6
• /
• pp.1237-1245
• /
• 2018

In this study, the contamination levels of hygienic indicators and foodborne pathogens in retail meat products were investigated in relation to the various market factors including processing temperature, processing area, and market type. Ground beef samples (n=80) were purchased from 40 meat markets and investigated for microbiological quality. Beefs processed below $20^{\circ}C$ had significantly lower numbers of total coliforms (TC) than these processed over $20^{\circ}C$ (2.01 vs. 2.79 log CFU/g; p<0.05). Interestingly, separation of processing area did not affect the contamination levels. Remarkably, the contamination levels of hygienic indicator differ among market types, indicating that not only processing condition but distribution structure that is directly related with storage period could affect the final microbiological loads of the meat products. In addition, the prevalences of Listeria monocytogenes (a psychrotroph), Enterococcus faecium, and Enterococcus faecalis were 7.5% (6/80), 10.0% (8/80), and 20.0% (16/80), respectively, which is irrelevant to market factors except meat products from wholesale markets where no L. monocytogenes were found among 30 samples. The results of this study indicate that the contamination level of hygiene indicator and foodborne pathogens in retail beef is more related with processing temperature and storage period than other environmental factors.

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