• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.32 no.4 s.91
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• pp.316-323
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• 2006

This study was performed to assess the microbial contamination level for the processing of sandwich products in the middle of Gyeongnam province from December 2004 to January 2005. A total of 85 samples were collected from 5 sandwich shops. These samples were tested sanitary indication bacteria, such as aerobic Plate count(APC), coliforms, and Escherchia coli and pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus. As a result of APC and coliform count ranged 0-4.59 $log_{10}$ CFU/(ml, g, 100 $cm^2$, hand) and 0-3.86 $log_{10}$ CFU/(ml, g, 100 $cm^2$, hand), respectively. Especially, the highly contaminated items for APC were confirmed 1.64-4.59 $log_{10}$ CFU/g to employees', raw materials and sandwich in all items. Escherichia coli was isolated from 5 samples. Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus were detected in 1 sample and 11 samples from utensil, raw materials and sandwiches, respectively. However, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp. were not detected in anywhere. For the production of safety sandwich, education of sanitation for employees, control of raw materials, and continuous monitoring for microorganism will be required.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.392-400
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• 2011

The objectives of this study were to analyze environmental microbial contamination levels by sampling the surfaces of processing lines and equipment and to verify CCPs of the HACCP plan in a fresh-cut produce processing plant The level of airborne microorganisms in the processing plant was $10^1$ log CFU/plate/15min. Total plate counts and coliform groups of the processing facilities were 1~2 log CFU/100 $cm^2$. No E. coli or S. aureus were detected in the processing plant. However, total plate counts on the cutting board for raw materials and on the spin-dryer were $4.20{\pm}2.12$ log CFU/$cm^2$ and $4.57{\pm}0.92$ log CFU/$cm^2$, respectively. These levels were higher than the safe microbial level, and therefore, the chance of cross-contamination during processing was increased. According to the results of microbiological analyses, total aerobic bacteria and coliform groups of the samples were increased after the second washing and spin-drying steps, due to cross-contamination from the spin-dryer. Thus, an effective method that can be used for microbial control during the washing and drying steps is needed for microbial control in fresh-cut produce processing plants. The results of a verification study also suggest that modification of the HACCP plan is needed along with additional CPs, which were identified as a second washing, spin drying, and the cold storage of final products.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.420-426
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to identify control points through microbiological hazard analysis in the manufacturing processes of starch noodles. Samples were collected from the ingredients, manufacturing processes, equipment and environment. Microbiological hazard assessments were performed using aerobic plate counts (APC), Enterobacteriaceae (EB), E. coli and five pathogens including B. cereus, E. coli O157:H7, L. monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., and S. aureus. The APC levels in raw materials were from 2.12 to 3.83 log CFU/g. The contamination levels after kneading were 4.31 log CFU/g for APCs and 2.88 log CFU/g for EB counts. APCs decreased to 1.63 log CFU/g and EB were not detected after gelatinization, but their levels slightly increased upon cooling, cutting, ripening, freezing, thawing, and separating. The reuse of cooling and coating water would be a critical source of microbial increase after cooling. After drying, APCs and EB counts decreased to 5.05 log CFU/g and 2.74 log CFU/g, respectively, and the levels were maintained to final products. These results suggest that the cooling process is a critical control point for microbiological safety, and the cooling water should be treated and controlled to prevent cross contamination by pre-requisite program.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.203-208
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• 2013

This survey was conducted to evaluate the microbial contamination level of butcher's shops in Seoul, Korea. For microbial inspections, a total of 584 samples (146 cotton work gloves, 146 utensils and equipments, 154 beef samples, 138 pork samples) were collected from butcher's shops. E. coli and pathogenic bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Yersinia enterocolitica, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., and E. coli O157:H7 were tested in the samples. As a result, the level of aerobic plate count (APC) ranged ${\leq}10^4\;CFU/cm^2$ from utensils and equipments, $10^1{\sim}10^9$ CFU/glove from cotton work gloves and ${\leq}10^6$ CFU/g from meat. The APC level of E. coli ranged ${\leq}10^1\;CFU/cm^2$ from utensils and equipments, ${\leq}10^5$ CFU/glove from cotton work gloves, and ${\leq}10^3$ CFU/g from meat, respectively. Staphylococcus aureus was detected in 2 beef samples, 1 pork sample, and 10 used cotton work gloves. Yersinia enterocolitica was detected in 3 beef samples, 1 pork sample, and 3 used cotton work gloves. Listeria monocytogenes was detected in 2 used cotton work gloves. In order to improve the sanitation status of butcher's shops, application of HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) or SSOP (Sanitation Standard Operating Procedure), regular hygiene education, and continuous monitoring for microorganisms will be required.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.11-24
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• 2013

This study was conducted to provide basic data for development of a dietary education textbook and guidebook by investigating and analyzing eating behavior, nutrition knowledge and educational needs in elementary school students. Most of the subjects were eating three meals a day (71.5%) and breakfast (75.3%). The percentage of students who consumed proper amount of meals (49.2%) was low. The percentage of students consuming salty food and fatty foods was 28.6% and 42.1%, respectively. The consumption of meat, fish, egg, bean and tofu was high, while the consumption of vegetables, fruits and seaweed was low. The percentage of students consuming processed food was high, but the percentage reading nutrition labels (34.9%) and hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) mark (26.9%) when buying processed foods was very low. Total scores of eating behavior and nutrition knowledge were significantly higher in female students than in male students (p < 0.05-p < 0.001). The desirable frequency of the education was once a week (60.5%). The most preferred educational method was 'experiment and cooking practice' (40.1%). The students wanted dietary information as 'cooking' (39.0%). As a result of this study, many problems were found in the eating behavior of students and nutritional knowledge was observed to be low as well. On the other hand, the demand for dietary education was very high. The findings of this study suggested the need for developing dietary education programs in order to encourage proper eating habits of students.

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

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.31-44
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• 2019

Objective : Herbal dispensaries, where medications are prepared for patients, require specific preparation and operations management for safe herbal medicines. This study aims to propose improvements in the herbal medicine preparation and operation of the herbal dispensaries as series study of the "A Survey on the Management Status of Extramural Herbal Dispensaries" Methods : We first checked current management regulations. In addition, we compared and analyzed related laws which are "State management norm of Traditional Chinese Medicine dispensaries", "Enforcement Rule of Medicinal Product Safety" and " Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point(HACCP)", to introduce the assessment items of herbal dispenses evaluation and certification system. Results : In this study, we found that the current regulations, "Guideline on Installation and Utilization of Extremal Herbal Pharmaceutical Facility and Shared-use of Herbal Dispensary", are insufficient to ensure the quality and safety of herbal medicines. We suggested articles for the proper management of herbal dispensaries and these were introduced to the Herbal dispensary evaluation and certification system. Conclusion : We recommend evaluation articles in Herbal dispensary evaluation and certification systems need to be popular among herbal dispensaries, then Korean herbal medicine could restore credibility from the people.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.3
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• pp.397-408
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• 2022

Rinse & Chill^® technology (RCT) entails rinsing the vasculature using a chilled isotonic solution (3℃; 98.5% water and a blend of dextrose, maltose, and sodium phosphates) to rinse out the residual blood from the carcass. Infusion of pre-chilled solutions into intact animal carcasses immediately upon exsanguination is advantageous in terms of lowering the internal muscle temperature and accelerating chilling. This technology is primarily used for purposes of effective blood removal, favorable pH decline, and efficient carcass chilling, all of which improve meat quality and safety. Although RCT solution contains some substrates, the pre-rigor muscle is still physiologically active at the time of early postmortem and vascular rinsing. Consequently, these substrates are fully metabolized by the muscle, leaving no detectable residues in meat. The technology has been commercially approved and in continuous use since 2000 in the United States and since 1997 in Australia. As of January 2022, 23 plants have implemented RCT among the 5 countries (Australia, US, Canada, New Zealand, and Japan) that have evaluated and approved RCT. All plants are operating under sound Sanitation Standard Operation Procedures (SSOP) and a sound Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) program. No food safety issues have been reported associated with the use of this technology. RCT has been adapted by the meat industry to improve product safety and meat quality while improving economic performance. Therefore, this review summarizes highlights of how RCT technically works on a variety of animal types (beef, bison, pork, and lamb).

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.376-386
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• 2011

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbial hazards posed by food utensils and fixtures in food service operations at selected middle and high schools located in Seoul, Korea. Methods: We collected 200 samples of utensils and fixtures including cups, spoons/chopsticks, food trays and tables from five different schools in Seoul. Target microorganisms of this study were divided into two groups: total bacterial count and total coliform as indicators of microbial contamination and Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus as pathogens of food poisoning. We used selective media to quantify microbial concentration and 16S rRNA PCR assay for qualitative analysis. In addition, intensive interviews with nutritionists were conducted and observations were made to identify factors that may affect microbial contamination. Logistic regression analysis was employed to examine the relationship between the microbial concentration and operation characteristics of each operation. Results: The level of microbial concentration in school B and C were significantly lower than in school A, D and E (p<0.05). Some samples from school A, D and E showed over 3.4 log CFU/100 $cm^2$ (total bacterial count) and 1.0 log CFU/100 $cm^2$ (total coliform), which requires immediate hygienic action. The number of customers per staff member, periodicity of hygiene education for staff and daily operation time of sterilizers were also found to be important factors related with the microbial contamination of food service operations. Conclusions: These results suggested that not only a HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) approach, but also efforts to assess internal risk factors within operations be needed to reduce the microbial contamination of food utensils and fixtures. This study is expected to provide preliminary data for assessing microbial hazards in food service operations.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.186-198
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• 2000

The quality of the management of sanitation in food service establishments (school lunch programs, hospital patient food services, and commercial catering food services) in Korea was reviewed and evaluated, and ten strategies fur future improvement were suggested. They were: (1) An increase of qualified manpower and improvement of the professional training of the staff; (2) Obtaining special facilities exclusively for food service; (3) Improvement of facilities especially the kitchens; (4) Improvement of policy fur procuring raw materials and being assured of their quality by designing some standards and specifications for the raw materials to be purchased; (5) Production and use accurate and reliable kitchen apparatus and instruments; (6) An increase of the laboratory apparatus and instruments for inspection and evaluation of the sanitary level of raw materials and food service environments; (7) Enforced improvement of personal hygiene of the staff; (8) Use of a variety of methods in sanitary education and training; (9) Actively inspect the quality of imported foods; (10) Strengthening the research and accumulation of background data regarding sanitation management. There is a long process from the production of food to eating. The cooking process is the ultimate end of preparation of food before eating. This process sometimes increases the occurrence of food-borne diseases if we mishandle the food, even we obtained safe food. The process can also remove health hazards and reduce the risk from the hazards if we handle the food well although we have unsafe foods. This means the cooking process is a major key to preventing food-borne diseases. The concepts of hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) should be applied and practiced in food service establishments in Korea as soon as possible.