Wan-Soo Hong

Assessment of Microbiological Quality for Raw Materials and Cooked Foods in Elementary School Food Establishment

This study was conducted to assess the microbiological quality of raw and cooked foods served in the elementary school food service. Raw and cooked food samples were collected from 11 selected elementary schools in both June to July and September to October of 2005. Petrifilm plates were used to determine (in duplicate) total aerobic colony counts (PAC), Enterobacteriaceae (PE), coliform counts (PCC), and E. coli counts (PEC). Heavy contamination of Enterobacteriaceae (from 0.08 to 7.40 log CFU/g) and total coliform (0.50 to 6.52 log CFU/g) were observed in raw materials and cooked foods. Escherichia coli (E. coli) were detected in the sample of currant tomato (3.70 log CFU/g), sesame leaf (3.59 log CFU/g), dropwort (0.20 log CFU/g), crown daisy (3.15 log CFU/g), parsley (3.00 log CFU/g), peeled green onion (1.74 log CFU/g), frozen pork (0.65 log CFU/g), frozen beef (0.20 or 1.50 log CFU/g), chicken (1.78 log CFU/g), and young radish leaf seasoned with soybean paste (1.24 log CFU/g). Multiplex PCR system was used to determine the food-borne pathogens: Salmonella spp., Bacillus cereus (B. cereus), E. coli O157:H7, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes), Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni), Shigella spp., B. cereus was detected in 19 samples of raw materials and 8 samples of cooked foods. With regard to quantitative analysis, B. cereus counts exceeded 5.46, 3.48 and 1.79 log CFU/g in sesame leaf, peeled green onion and seasoned mungbean jelly, respectively. E. coli O157:H7 was detected on 2 samples of frozen beefs, and its biochemical characteristics of one beef sample was confirmed with API 20E kit (93.7%). L. monocytogenes was detected in fried rice paper dumpling, but the presumptive colonies were not detected onto the conventional plate. C. jejuni was detected in peeled & washed onion.

Evaluation of sanitation knowledge and practices of restaurant kitchen staff in South Korea

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the sanitation knowledge and practice of staff who work in restaurant kitchens and to suggest sanitation management plans and efficient ways to enhance sanitation knowledge and practice in the restaurant industry. Design/methodology/approach – The survey research was conducted using a questionnaire composed of 73 questions in three areas of general information, sanitation knowledge, and sanitation practices. The respondents were selected from among kitchen staff working in restaurants that were both at least 198 m2 in size and listed in the Korean Foodservice Information database. The collected data were analyzed to identify the differences between sanitation knowledge and practices. Findings – The results showed that the respondents were well aware of the importance of sanitation during food preparation and cooking whereas they had a relatively lack of personal hygiene. Age and education level of kitchen staff correlated with sanitation knowledge and prac...

A Study on the Contents of Sodium Saccharin in Kimchi and Salted Vegetables Served by Restaurants

This study was done to investigate the content of sodium saccharin in Kimchi and salted vegetables served by restaurants. 99 samples were collected from restaurants which were located mainly in the Seoul metro area. Sodium saccharin was analyzed by HPLC. The types of restaurants were privately owned(68.7%) and franchised(31.3%). The composition ratio of sodium saccharin in Kimchi & salted vegetables at Korean, Chinese, Japanese, fast food, family, flour based food, and buffet restaurants was 60%, 14%, 2%, 7%, 13%, 4%, respectively. The composition ratio of sodium saccharin in kaktugi,, danmooji, kimchi, moosangchai, jangajji, mool kimchi, pickle, jjasai, oijii was 19.2%, 16.2%, 16.2%, 14.1%, 12.1%, 9.1%, 5.1%, 4.0%, 4.0% respectively. The mean of sodium saccharin detection rate of the 99 samples was 30.30%.

The BSE-related knowledge levels, perceptions and attitudes toward American beef - On the university students in a metropolitan area -

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of knowledge level on the perceptions and attitudes toward BSE(Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) and American beef. A survey was conducted with university students in a metropolitan area. Out of 590 questionnaires distributed, 481 were analyzed(81.5% response rate). The data was analyzed using SPSS windows(ver. 14.0). In evaluation of the BSE-related knowledge level, the average correct answer rate was 42.6%(the lowest 21.0% ~ the highest 64.9%). There were significant differences in perception and attitude based on the BSE-related knowledge level. In three groups of knowledge levels(top, middle, bottom), the bottom level group tended to be more concerned regarding the origin of beef than the top and middle level groups. Moreover, as the level of knowledge increased, people tended to consider American beef safe. In their attitude toward the governments move to re-import American beef, the top level group tended to think positively. On the other hand, the top level group had negative attitudes toward the media coverage of American beef. As the level of knowledge decreased, the rate of menu selectivity was higher. This research suggests that people need to be educated in BSE-related knowledge. Through the education of BSE-related knowledge, people will gain a more correct understanding and attitude towards American beef, which will help livestock and food service industries grow.