• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.252-260
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• 2009

Whereas the numbers of childcare centers and kindergartens are increasing rapidly, systematic management to control the food safety of foodservice operation is not yet well established. Samples from 12 centers in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province were collected to assess the microbiological quality of 32 raw materials, 24 cooked foods, 76 food-contact surfaces (knives, cutting boards, dish towels and gloves), 17 employees' hands and 12 air-borne bacteria. The microbiological analyses were performed for aerobic plate counts (APC), Enterobacteriaceae, E. coli and 7 pathogens (B. cereus, C. jejuni, C. perfringens, L. monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., S. aureus, and V. parahaemolyticus). Among raw materials, E. coli ($1.39{\sim}2.08\;\log\;CFU/g$) were detected in 4 out of 6 meats and 7.46 log CFU/g of APC in tofu. High enterobacteriaceae levels of 4.23, 5.14 and 4.19 log CFU/g were found in cucumber salad, steamed spinach with seasonings and steamed bean sprout with seasonings, respectively. No pathogens were found in all samples except for C. perfringens detected from raw spinach and raw lotus root. Only APC and enterobacteriaceae were found in food-contact surfaces. Two of the 23 knives and three of the 24 kitchen boards showed over 500 CFU/$100\;cm^2$ of APC; also, APC levels (5.03 to 5.44 log CFU/g) were detected in 4 of the 12 dish towels. Only one glove showed Enterobacteriaceae (2.44 log CFU/glove) contamination. Enterobacteriaceae were found in 2 employees' hands ($2.37{\sim}4.44\;\log\;CFU$/hand) among the 16 employees. The contamination levels of air-borne bacteria were shown unacceptable in two (2.25 and 2.30 log CFU/petri-film/15 min) out of the 12 kitchen areas. These results suggest that the microbiological hazards in some foods and environments are not well controlled and thus a guideline should be provided to ensure the food safety in childcare center and kindergarten foodservice operations.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.586-594
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• 2010

We evaluated changes in the microbiological quality and safety of food items (vegetables, seaweed, and processed food) supplied to elementary school food services to evaluate the distribution/delivery system. Pretreated vegetables, seaweed, and processed food were delivered to schools in refrigerated (${\leq}10^{\circ}C$) vans that made several delivery stops before arriving at the schools. During the distribution stage, total plate and coliforms counts were: bellflower roots $7.6{\times}10^5-6.7{\times}10^6$ and $5.8{\times}10^4-5.2{\times}10^5$ CFU/g; blanched bracken $4.5{\times}10^3-2.1{\times}10^5$, $5.0{\times}10^3-1{\times}10^4$ CFU/g; onion $1.2{\times}10^4-1.4{\times}10^4$, $5.0{\times}10$ CFU/g; soybean sprouts $9.6{\times}10^4-6.3{\times}10^7$ and $1.1{\times}10^3-1.2{\times}10^7$ CFU/g; soybean curd < $10-9.7{\times}10^5$ and < $10-2.3{\times}10^5$ CFU/g; and starch jelly < $10-3.8{\times}10^3$ and <10 CFU/g. Bacillus cereus < $10-4.1{\times}10^2$ CFU/g, Escherichia coli $1.0{\times}10-2.0{\times}10$ CFU/g, and Staphylococcus aureus $1.3{\times}10^2-4.1{\times}10^2$ CFU/g were detected on peeled bellflower, whereas B. cereus < $10-4.1{\times}10^2$ CFU/g, Listeria monocytogenes $1.0{\times}10-4.5{\times}10^2$ CFU/g, and S. aureus $1.8{\times}10^2-4.5{\times}10^2$ CFU/g, were detected on soybean sprouts. Most food items were double-wrapped in vinyl and placed in corrugated cardboard boxes prior to delivery, but the boxes, when placed in vans, were not segregated from other food items being delivered to schools and other destinations.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.202-206
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• 2014

In this study, the bacteriological survey was examined on ice creams at manufacturing factories in Korea during the summer season of 2011. The nineteen selected among 166 samples by preliminary test were collected from 11 different manufacturing factories in four major manufacturers in May 2011. Samples from ice milk, ice creams, sherbets, and non milk fat ice creams were tested for the total aerobic bacteria, coliform bacteria, and five food borne pathogens, respectively. The results showed that the coliforms including E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens, and Listeria monocytogenes were not detected on all the ice creams. The total aerobic bacteria of the packed samples examined ranged between $2.5{\times}10^3$ and $5.5{\times}10^5cfu/g$. One ice cream, two sherbets, and four ice milk samples exceeded the acceptable limits of total aerobic bacteria according to the Korean standards for ice cream ($1.0{\times}10^5cfu/g$) and others ($5.0{\times}10^4cfu/g$). The levels of these microorganisms from ice creams were higher in three original equipment manufacturers than seven self-manufacturers. Three of ten ice creams (30.0%), three of six ice milks (50.0%), and one of two sherbets (50%) exceeded the acceptable limits of total aerobic bacteria, respectively. The personnel hygiene procedures with chocolate and vanilla chip addition from the manufacturing process were the main sources of the microbial contamination of stick-bar type ice creams when being produced in a factory. Improvement of the hazard analysis critical control points (HACCP) system should be introduced into the ice cream factory to improve the microbial quality of the ice cream products in Korea.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.515-522
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• 2007

To develop the manufacturing method of ice cream with microbiologically safe and proper sensory quality using irradiation for sensitive consumer, 3 different flavors, which were resistant to their flavors against irradiation, were selected and used for ice cream manufacturing to reduce the irradiation-induced off-flavor problem. The general composition was not different among treatments. Total aerobic bacteria were detected as 2.38, 1.23, 1.38, and 1.15 log CFU/g level in ice cream with control(no flavor added), spearmint, mint, and citrus flavor, respectively. No viable cells were observed by irradiation at 1 kGy except for the control. Sensory evaluation indicated that the irradiated ice cream with spearmint flavor at 1 kGy and citrus flavor at 3 kGy had higher overall acceptability. Therefore, a low dose irradiation (less than 3 kGy) with mint or citrus flavors may enhance the safety of ice cream with proper sensory quality for sensitive consumer.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.10 no.9
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• pp.37-43
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• 2019

Purpose - The self quality inspection which is mandatory in Republic of Korea can play an important role in promoting food safety, but the cost for self quality inspection is also a big burden especially for small businesses. In addition, excessive or duplicated inspection costs resulting from the standard gaps of various ministries and agencies ultimately effect negative social utility. Thus, this paper aims to suggest ways to improve the analysis of self quality inspection for the Ready-to-Eat Foods in terms of dried laver, in order to reduce costs caused by overinclusion. Research design, data, and methodology - The focus of interest is seaweed in Kimbab, which is to be exempted from the Vibrio parahaemolyticus test on the three grounds. First, existing literature provides little support for the necessity of performing a microbiological test. Second, laver products do not require the V.parahaemolyticus test by international standards such as the CODEX. Third, no case was found for seaweed products on the list of information on failed food items over the 2015~16 period. Results - Other types of seaweed such as exportable and seasoning seaweed are not subject to the test. Hence, exclusion of the V.pahaemolyticus test on seaweed is a valid point, bringing about large expected cost savings to many small businesses. Conclusions - Based on a complete survey of 75 food-testing agencies from March 20th to 30th, 2018, this paper finds that the proposed revision of the Kimbab test is likely to save an average of 130,000 won per business per year. Especially, in the case of the testing fee of Salmonella spp.(n,c,m,M), the cost difference by agencies was found to be up to five times. The regional gap in testing fees can be considered an unfair barrier. Accordingly, it is necessary to examine whether the testing fee is set at an appropriate level through the cost-extraction program proposed by the Ministry Food and Drug Safety. Hence, the survey results also point out that harmonization of testing fees charged by different food-testing agencies is appropriate with respect to transparency and efficiency.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.842-850
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• 2020

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the depuration process (artificial seawater sterilization using UV light) for extending the shelf life of raw oyster Crassostrea gigas and maintaining food quality. To confirm the effects of depuration, microbiological (viable cell count) and several physiochemical analyses (pH and glycogen levels in shucked oyster and pH, soluble protein, and turbidity in filling water) were carried out during the storage of raw oysters. The results showed that depuration could effectively extend the shelf life (2-3 days) of raw oysters with minimal change in food quality, including pH and glycogen content. Thus, the depuration process proposed in this study could successfully be applied to processing practices for other shellfish to extend their shelf life and contribute to the management of seafood safety issues.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.885-891
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• 1996

Various problems in fermented fish products have been a major obstacle to manufacture the product in large scale, which is mainly concerned with the food safety. In this review, salt-fermented anchovy was selected to elucidate the characteristics of microorganisms involved in fermentation; thereby, it is suggested for research areas to achieve the quality improvement of tile product. Different microorganisms were involved in fermentation of anchovy. Dominant species were reported to be Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., and Micrococcus sp., other microorganisms were Vibro sp., Clostridim sp., Serratia sp., Achromobacter sp., Streptococcus sp., Breuibacterium sp., Halobacterium sp., Flavobacterium sp., Corynebacterium sp., Acinetobacter sp., Sarcina sp., Staphylococcus sp., Torulopsis sp., and Saccharomyces sp. To standardize the quality of fermented fish products, screening and isolation of promising microorganisms should be carried out to develop different types of products; at the same time, proper sanitation control should be employed to keep the commercial value of the product by prolonging the shelf life.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.408-413
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• 2007

This study evaluated the sensory quality characteristics of gamma-irradiated Sujeonggwa a Korean traditional cinnamon beverage during storage, and the mutagenicity of the beverage. The minimum irradiation dose required to ensure the microbiological safety of powdered Sujeonggwa was 4.5 kGy. Sensory characteristics, and the Hunter's color value, of Sujeonggwa, deteriorated with increased irradiation doses, but no significant changes in sensory qualities were found during storage. The Ames test yielded no evidence that gamma irradiation induced mutagenicity in Sujeonggwa powder.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.494-499
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• 2010

Pasteurization by radiation was performed to improve the microbiological quality of fresh yam juice. Samples were irradiated at doses of up to 5 kGy and microbiological, physicochemical, and sensory qualities were investigated during storage at 5oC for 8 days. Total aerobic bacterial, coliform bacterial, and yeast and mold counts in pre-irradiation samples were 7.09, 6.91, and 3.42 log CFU/g, respectively. Total aerobic bacterial and coliform counts fell significantly, in a dose-dependent manner, after irradiation, and these organisms were completely eliminated after 1 day of storage when 3 kGy or 5 kGy of radiation was applied. Yeast and molds were eliminated by irradiation at 3 kGy. Irradiation reduced sample viscosity. The $L^*$ value decreased after irradiation, whereas the $b^*$ value rose. Sensory evaluation testing revealed no significant difference between control samples and those irradiated with 1 kGy, except in color and texture, but sensory scores fell when irradiation of 3 kGy or over was employed, except in the taste domain. The results indicate that gamma irradiation with 1 kGy is effective to ensure the microbiological safety of fresh yam juice, without significant alteration in sensory characteristics, although further work should seek to reduce the detrimental effects of irradiation.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.122-128
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• 2024

We investigated the quality of 10 commercial eorigul-jeot, salt-fermented oysters with seasoning, by measuring their chemical composition and bacterial concentrations. The Eorigul-jeot had 5.07-6.06 pH (mean, 5.63), of 1.92-4.74% salinity (mean, 3.36%), 7.01-14.70 mg/100 g volatile basic nitrogen (mean, 11.91 mg/100 g), 139.22-267.11 mg/100 g amino acid nitrogen (mean, 212.69 mg/100 g), and 1.02-1.65 g/100 g total acidity (mean, 1.24 g/100 g). The total viable and lactic acid bacterial counts were 5.7×10⁴-8.7×10⁵ and 2.7×10³-2.0×10⁵ CFU/g, respectively, and fecal coliform was detected in only one Eorigul-jeot sample. Bacillus cereus and Clostridium perfringens were detected in two samples, and all Eorigul-jeot samples were negative for Staphylococcus aureus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus. These results strongly suggest the need to monitor food-poisoning bacteria in commercial Eorigul-jeot to ensure consumer health.