This study investigated the perception, evaluation, and the possibility for globalizing Korean foods and Yak-sun among different nationalities of foreigners living in Korea. A survey was conducted with 171 foreigners (eastern Asian, southeastern and central Asian, European, and American). The questionnaire was composed of three parts, including perception, evaluation, and the possibility for globalizing Korean foods and Yak-sun. The reason for choosing Korean foods cited by southeastern and central Asians and Americans was "taste", whereas eastern Asians and Europeans chose "culture" and "curiosity", respectively. Americans and Europeans considered "spiciness" as a reason not to choose Korean foods (P<0.001). Regarding the possibility of globalizing Korean foods, eastern Asians and Americans/Europeans/southeast Asians and central Asians responded "Korean dining culture" and "incomprehensive menus", respectively (P<0.05). An "explanation of the menu to foreigners" was regarded as the main suggestion for globalizing Korean food. Most of the respondents understood that Yak-sun is an oriental medicinal food that provides improved health and disease prevention. A number of Europeans and Americans expressed high interest in the conceptualization of Yak-sun (P<0.001). With regard to the priority for developing Yak-sun, eastern Asians, southeastern and central Asians, and Europeans picked out "health status improvement", whereas "improved nutritional status" was manifested in the majority of the American's responses (P<0.001). Therefore, it is crucial that "localization" be applied to Korean foods and Yak-sun to meet the international standard. Furthermore, it is necessary to provide simplified and correct Korean food content information to foreigners.

서울시내에서 유통되는 식품과 식품접객업소(집단급식소 포함)의 조리식품을 대상으로 식중독 원인균 분석 및 위생미생물 검사를 실시한 결과, 분리된 대장균의 항생제 감수성 시험을 통하여 이들의 내성 정도를 파악하고, 내성 유전자와 병원성유전자의 분포도 알아보았다. 모두 1313건 의 샘플 중 50건에서 대장균이 검출되어 3.8%의 검출률을 보였다. 이중 육회 1건에서 장출혈성대장균 O26 1건, 김밥 에서 장병원성대장균 1건이 각각 검출되었다. 50건의 대장 균중 50%가 16종의 항생제에 모두 감수성을 보였으며 내성이 높게 나타난 항생제는 ampicillin(36%), amoxicillin/ clavulanic acid(32%) 그리고 tetracycline(22%)의 순이었다. 이들의 내성유전자 분포는 TEM이 1건, tetB 4건이 각각 검출되었다.

In this study, we attempted to elucidate the cultural characteristics of Korean food based on a traditional understanding on the Korean novel. To achieve this, food characteristics related to 'rites of passage' were analyzed in the representative Korean literary work "Hon-bool", which describes the life of a first-son's wife every three generations in the going to ruin but historic 'Lee's family of Maean district' family and the life of the common 'Geomeong-gul' people who lived with farming on the Lee's land at Namwon of Junbook province in the 1930~1940s, during the Japanese Colonial rule. Every nation possesses rites of passage at important points in life, such as at birth, age of majority, wedding and death. Korean culture, in particular, has several memorial rites relating to birth, death and passage into the afterlife in which special foods are prepared. In this manner, ceremonial foods represent the Korean peoples' traditional vision of the universe and life. The book "Hon-bool" describes these traditions. Especially, the book describes the table-settings related to the main character's childbirth, first birthday, wedding and death. Therefore "Hon-bool" represents a living history of Korean traditional food and the work of storytelling through the traditional understanding is expected that perform an important role in making of cultural contents of Korean foods.

The objective of this study was to familiarize people with the native local food of Chungnam Province by developing its regional food as a culture resource. Native Local Food Search and luxury itemization based on regionally-characterized stories enhances self-perception of the national culture, promotes appropriate local images to the public, and contributes to the local economy by increasing regional tourism. Therefore, this study researched local stories of cultural significance, that is, those connected to the history and originality of Chungnam Province, and developed contents related to Chungnam native local food. Features of the native local food were introduced by a story telling method in order to appeal to the five senses. The story was composed for easy understanding of the value of food, and the brand image of Chungnam was developed based on representative historical stories of the region. In this study, the following were developed as representative images of Chungnam: 'Royal meal table of King Moo-ryung' in Kongju was presented by recomposing the story of King Moo-ryung, a famouns king of the Baekje era; 'Mong-yoo-do-won's rice meal table' was introduced via Mongyoo-do-won's painting by Kyeon An, a famous painter of the Chosun era who was born in Seosan. The 'Royal meal table of King Moo-ryung' was set with food made from local farm products, demonstrating the flavor and elegance of the Baekje era. 'Mong-yoo-do-won's rice meal table' resembled Kyeon An's Mong-yoo-do-won-do, which has a background featuring early spring. The rice table was designed to remind people of a flamboyant painting like a scattered peach blossom leaf in the early spring. To verify the health effectiveness of each rice table, the function of each ingredient was investigated through 'Sik-ryo-chan-yo:a dietary treatment', which was published by Soon-Ui Cheon during the Chosan era. According to the results, most of ingredients are certainly beneficial to health, as was recognized in the early Choson era.

This study was conducted to improve the kimchi intake for high school students of various kimchi sub-ingredients and foods using kimchi. The students believed that kimchi is good for health. The overall satisfaction, baechu quality and the taste and degree of fermentation of kimchi was high, but there was a low preference for offered kimchi kinds, kimchi subingredient, foods using kimchi. The types of kimchi preferred and often offered in school meals were baechu-kimchi and kkakdugi. The common kimchi sub-ingredients were radish and welsh onion in vegetables, squid and oyster in sea foods, saeu-jeot and myeolchi-jeot in salted fish, and pear and apple in fruits. The preference for kimchi sub-ingredients were high for sesame leaf and yeolmu in vegetables, saeu-sal and squid in sea foods, saeu-jeot and nakji-jeot in salted fish, and pear and apple in fruits. The foods using kimchi preferred and often offered with school meals were kimchi-jjigae, bokkeumkimchi, kimchi soup, kimchi-bokkeum-bap, and kimchi-jeon. The kimchi sub-ingredient for which students had the greatest preference was meats. Among the foods using kimchi with meats, the most preferred were kimchi-pyeonyuk bossam, doejigogi kimchi duruchigi, and kimchi galbi-jjim. Among the foods using kimchi with noodles, the most preferred were kimchi- bibimmyeon, kimchi -naengmyeon, and kimchi-cheese spaghetti. Among the foods using kimchi with vegetables, the most preferred were kimchi-pa-jeon, kimchi- deopbap and kimchi- goguma gui. Of the foods using kimchi with processed foods, the most preferred were kimchi-mandu, kimchi-bacon jumeok-bap and kimchi- cheese omelet. Among the foods using kimchi containing sea food, kimchi-haemul bokkeum-bap, kimchi-hoe-deopbap, and kimchi-saeu-jjim were most preferred. Overall, these results suggest that various kimchi sub-ingredients and foods using kimchi should be improved for kimchi intake of school meals.

In this study, monitoring of food additives as an artificial sweetener on favorite foods of children,which are deal at retail store and stationery store around eliminatory school, was performed. We analyzed aspartame,potassium acesulfame, sodium saccharin, and cyclamate from candys, biscuits, chocolates and others. Total 604 items as targeted food were collected from the other country; 285 items of candys, 131 items of biscuits, 74 items of chocolates.,114 items of others. Targeted foods were classified by manufacture nation; 308 samples from domestic products,211 from China, 26 from Indonesia, and 59 items from other nations. Artificial sweeteners were detected from 75 cases of food stuff which were 38 native product, 25 China, 9 Indonesia, and 3 others. The percentage of detected artificial sweeteners was aspartame 7.8% (47 cases), potassium acesulfame 3.0% (18 cases), sodium saccharin 1.8%(11 cases), and cyclamate 2.6% (16 cases). The detected concentration were followed [average(minimum-maximum)mg/kg]; aspartame 817 (21-4,988), potassium acesulfame 192 (24-1,136), sodium saccharin 91 (5-326), and cyclamate 926 (8-4,680). Aspartame was detected mainly on Korea foods, and cyclamate and sodium saccharin were detected from Indonesia food, artificial sweeteners were detected Chinese food, broadly. As a result, 17 cases were violated against regulatory standard of cyclamate, and sodium saccharin. Considering average body weight (36.9 kg)and daily intake of biscuits (15.6 g) for elementary student, ratio of estimated daily intake and acceptable daily intake was 0.86% for aspartame, 0.54% for potassium acesulfame, 0.77% for sodium saccharin, and 3.56% for cyclamate.

From April to December in 2009, microbial investigation is accomplished for 100 frozen foods asked to microbial control team that corresponds with total aerobic viable bacteria, coliform group, Escherichia coli,Enterococcus spp. and antibiotic resistance patterns of Enterococcus spp. isolates are investigated. Average of total aerobic viable bacteria numbers is 4.3 × 10⁴CFU/g. Average of coliform group numbers is 4.3 × 10³ CFU/g. Average of Enterococcus spp. numbers is 1.8 × 10³ CFU/g. Escherichia coli from 100 frozen foods is not detected and detection rate is 0.0%. 22 Enterococcus spp. are isolated from 100 frozen foods. 12 of 22 Enterococcus spp. strains are identified as E. faecium. 7 of 22 Enterococcus spp. strains are identified as E. faecalis. 2 of 22 Enterococcus spp. strains are identified as E. gallinarum. 1 of 22 Enterococcus spp. strains is identified as E. hirae. Enterococcus spp. isolates show a high resistance to erythromycin, rifampin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, chlorampenicol, penicillin and a susceptibility to vancomycin, ampicillin, gentamicin, strepomycin, linezolid. 15 of 22 Enterococcus spp. strains are multi-resistant and the most frequent multi-resistant pattern is erythromycin-rifampin for 6 Enterococcus spp. strains.

A HPLC-MS/MS method was developed for simultaneous determination of six sweeteners (acesulfame-K, cyclamate, saccharin, sucralose, stevioside, aspartame) in children's favorite foods. The procedure involves an extraction of the six sweeteners with 50% methanol solution, sample clean-up using the Carrez clearing reagent and filtering with cartridge filter. The HPLC separation was performed on a Hypersil Gold (150 mm × 2.1 mm 5 um) column using the water/acetonitrile mobile phase (95:5). Mass spectrometric analysis was carried out using the TSQ Quantum Ultra operated in negative and positive ESI/SRM. With this method, good linear relationship, sensitivity and reproducibility were obtained. The spike recoveries of six sweeteners for 2 kinds of foods spiked into 0.4 mg/kg ranged from 87.4 to 114.7%. The detection limits were above 0.02 mg/kg. The method has been applied to determination of six sweeteners in children's favorite foods.

We surveyed 848 university students, 21.4±2.5 years of age, attending university in Seoul, Kongju, Chongyang-Gun in the Chungnam province of Korea, for their use of health functional foods (HFF) and for significant variables in this use, namely demographic characteristics, health related variables, dietary variables and nutritional beliefs. The prevalence of the use of HFF was 33.6%. Among all types of HFF, nutritional supplements were taken most frequently, followed by (in order) red ginseng products, apricot extract products and ginseng products. HFF use was higher in females (p<.05), in subjects living in a dormitory (p<.05) and those from families with a relative high socioeconomic status (p<.001). Self-health concern (p<.05) and usage ratio of HFF by family (p<.001) was higher in users than in nonusers of HFF. The total score of dietary assessment was higher in users than in nonusers of HFF (p<.001), and users had a more positive point of view concerning the potential health benefits of HFF than did nonusers (p<.001). Most users took HFF when they were healthy (37.2%) or when they were sick (27.4%). They did not feel special effects through the HFF use (49.8%). Most users got the information about the specifics of HFF from family and/or relatives (55.8%). Most of users confirmed nutrition facts when they purchased the HFF (70.9%), but a considerable number of users could not understand these nutrition facts (48.1%). Users preferred vitamin C- and Ca-supplements most among vitamin · mineral supplements belonged to HFF. These results show that the use of HFF is common among university students. As well, the use of HFF by students is affected by various variables. Supplementary nutritional education should be undertaken among university students, in order to give them a reasonable guideline for the use of HFF, based upon influencing factors and usage behaviors that we learned from this survey.

This research was conducted to assess applicability of photostimulated luminescence (PSL) and Thermoluminescence (TL) methods for investigation of infant and young children products, nut, seasoned dried fish,spice, dried fruits, fruit & vegetable, grain and marine products, which are not approved for irradiation in Korea. PSL results show that the photon counts of non-irradiated samples were lower than 700, while those of irradiated samples were higher than 700. In TL measurement, TL ratio of irradiated samples were higher than 0.1 or ones can decrease below 0.1 whereas the temperature range of TL Glow curve was between 150-250℃. Monitoring result about 8 class of 325 not approved to irradiated foods, photon counts of samples were less than 700, and after re-irradiation TL Ratio (TL₁/TL₂) through re-irradiation step at 1 kGy were higher than 0.1 for the all samples. Therefore, these results suggested that PSL and TL measurements were useful detection methods for 8 class food products not approved to irradiation in Korea and all sample (325 cases) were not irradiated when we analysed by PSL and TL methods.

This research was conducted to know application of Photostimulated luminescence (PSL) and Thermoluminescence (TL) methods by irradiation dose for leaching tea, sauces and starch approved in Korea. Leaching tea, sauces and starch powder were treated with 60Co gamma ray at dose 0~10 kGy for detection trial whether they are irradiated or not by measuring PSL and TL for whole samples. PSL values were less than threshold value 700 and were negative for non-irradiated samples but more than 5,000 and were positive for irradiated ones. PSL results of leaching tea and sauces showed the correct identification for non-irradiated and irradiated samples, respectively except starch samples. To enhance the reliability of the TL result, the first glow curve (TL1) was compared with the second glove curve (TL2) obtained after a re-irradiation step at 1 kGy. The TL ratio (TL₁/TL₂) was in good agreement with the reported TL threshold for both the non-irradiated (< 0.1) and irradiated (> 0.1) samples. TL results of leaching tea, sauces, starch showed the correct identification for non-irradiated and irradiated samples, respectively. This study was performed to know application of PSL and TL methods for leaching tea, sauces and starch, and the methods were able to detect the irradiation products.

This study was performed to compare the dietary intake and food sources of zinc (Zn), using a database of Zn composition developed in this study, between elementary schoolchildren in a remote rural area (RA, n=58, 9.9±1.7 yrs) and those in an urban area (UA, n=60, 9.4±1.8 yrs) in Chungnam province in Korea. A dietary survey for three days by food record method was performed. All kinds of foods (n=273) consumed by subjects were collected by aliquot sampling method, and the Zn content of these foods were analyzed by wet technique. The results showed that the daily mean intakes of energy, calcium, iron, and vitamin C from diet in the RA were in the range of 49-88% of the Korean DRI (KDRI), while those in the UA were similar to or greater than the KDRI, except for calcium and iron. The daily mean intake of Zn from the RA diet was 7.0±0.5 mg/d (114.1±8.4% of the KDRI), and 16.0±1.0 mg/d (258.3±16.3% of the KDRI) in that of the UA (p〈0.001). The percentage of dietary intake of Zn less than 2/3 of the KDRI was 19.0% in the RA, in comparison to 1.7% in the UA. Those in the RA consumed Zn from plant foods more often than did those in the UA (p〈0.001). Beef rib stew was the food source with highest Zn amount for the total subjects, followed by beef rib meat, roasted; and beef soup w/seasoned red pepper sauce. These results showed that some children in the RA had poor Zn nutrition based upon low intakes and poor food sources of Zn, while overall, children in the UA had good Zn nutrition. Therefore, those in RAs should have their Zn nutrition improved through government policy and nutrition education.

To establish a globalization strategy for Korean food, it is important to ascertain foreign consumer's taste preferences and to evaluate their sensory perceptions of Korean food. In concert with previous studies, the most preferred food were Bulgogi and Galbi. However, respondents showed somewhat different preferences for other foods. Chinese and other Asian participants preferred Galbitang and Samgyetang, while Japanese participants preferred Pajeon, Galbitang and Japchae, and Western participants preferred Galbitang, Mandu and Bibimbap. The most preferred condiment was hot pepper paste (the representative condiment of Korea) and the least preferred one was ginger. Hot pepper paste was preferred most by Japanese participants, while Chinese participants tended not to prefer ginger and other Asian participants excepting those from China and Japan disliked vinegar most. Foreign consumers tended to consider Korean food as sweet, salty and very hot. Chinese participants considered Korean food to be 'plain' and 'light and washy' in taste, while Japanese participants considered Korean food to be 'greasy' and 'thick and sticky'. Chinese participants considered typical servings to be inadequate, while Japanese participants considered the servings as excessive.

This study was carried out to evaluate the consumer recognition with regard to the safety management for imported foods. In order to evaluate the effect of the prgram on consumer education, the program was practiced for 89 female college students in Seoul, Korea. The participants were given an instruction with materials on imported food safety, including the safety management of imported foods and their distribution. The results showed that the participants achieved a greater understanding of imported foods. In particular, they had firmly grasped the importance of expiration date in selecting imported foods. Before the instruction, 50.6% of total participants blamed the Korean government for the problems arising from imported foods; only 18.0% placed the blame on individuals or businesses importing from foreign countries. After the instruction, 39.3% had blamed the individuals or businesses importing from foreign countries. Furthermore, 36.0% had disapproved of the foods that are imported from China before the instruction, while 32.6% found objectionable the views on the illegally distributed foods; 29.2% criticized the junk foods that target children (after the instruction). In addition, the level of participant satisfaction via-a-vis imported foods safety supervision had improved from 2.76 ± 1.59(before the instruction) to 3.37 ± 1.58(after the instruction). The results indicate that consumers are concerned with the imported foods that contain adulterated or forbidden substances and the illegally distributed foods from foreign countries. Thus, consistent and informative educational programs on imported food safety could help consumers in choosing safer products, resulting in an improvement in the consumer confidence with respect to imported foods.

This study investigated consumers’ recognition on shelf life of health functional foods to set up their rational expiration date. For this study 107 male and female adults aged 20 to 59 years were randomly selected as major consumers of health functional foods. And their data were analyzed with SPSS 17.0. The questionnaire included questions asking a consumer's recognition on the shelf life of health functional foods and how to treat health function food passing its shelf life. In this study, the consumers were found to pay attentions considerably to the shelf life. But most of them did not know an accurate meaning of the shelf life of health functional food and mistook it for expiry date. In addition, the consumers doubted safety of health functional foods passing the shelf life. Therefore, education for consumers about an accurate meaning of the shelf life was needed. The results of this study were considered to be helpful to set up a reasonable expiration date for health functional food.

Acrylamide in various food samples in Korea were monitored during the period beginning August 2006 through May 2007. A total of 471 food products that were purchased at local markets were categorized into 17 groups and analyzed for the acrylamide content by using an LC-MS/MS method. Food samples that were selected based on special consideration such as expert consultation, Korean food consumption data and food market shares were considered to be representative. There are very large variations in acrylamide levels within tested foods. Acrylamide content ranged from ND(not detected) to 4,002 μg/kg with all tested samples. Acrylamide levels are relatively high in ‘cereal’, ‘coffee’, ‘potato snacks’, ‘biscuit’, ‘chocolate’, and ‘prune juice’. Acrylamide was also detected in fruits, vegetables, Korean traditional cookies which are considered as safe for acrylamide.