This study was conducted to evaluate children’s purchase behavior (frequency of snack consumption and purchase) and preference for high protein snack products developed for weight control and nutritional balance. A total of 80 elementary school students (from the 3rd to 6th graders) in the Gyeonggi-do learning center were participated and 76 were used for the analysis. The most common response for liking snacks was taste (71.4%), and the most preferred types of snacks were chips (42.1%) and puff snacks (34.2%). The highest frequency of snack ingestion was 1-3 times per week (48; 63.2%), and the main purchasers were parents (65.8%). Cheese, corn and chili flavors were more preferred than the control, while yogurt taste was slightly less preferred than the control. The results of this study showed the possibility of commercialization of new protein snacks according to children’s seasoning preference and provide the insights into the snack preferences of children as main consumers.

Oxya chinensis sinuosa Mistshenko(Orthoptera:Acrididae) was lived in clean and non polluted area. grasshopper was approved as a general food ingredient by Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. general component contents was 67~75% crude protein, 5~11% crude fat in a dried state. grasshopper is a high protein food. amino acids is high. In the composition and content of amino acids, which consists of the protein is the hightes alanine, glycine(soft and sweet) and arginine, histidine(essential amino acid of children) consequently, we developed a snack for children added with grasshopper powder. general composition of snack is 8~11% crude protein, 0.2~0.75% crude fat. The protein content increased with increasing addition ratio. 3% grasshopper powder was the best in general preference.

This study was conducted to develop an appropriated management for safety of children snacks sold around school. Total 598 items as targeted food were collected; 66 biscuits, 320 candies, 57 chocolates, 40 ice creams and 115 beverages. Microbiological hazards such as total aerobic bacteria, Coliforms, Escherichia coli, Bacillus ceruse, Yeasts & molds were measured by analytical method in Korean food code. Total aerobic bacteria and Yeasts & molds were detected in cookies at the level of less than 2.69 and 2.65 log10CFU/g and the detection rates were 54.55 and 62.12%, respectively. Bacillus cereus was detected in 1 snack only at the level of 1.39 log10CFU/g but it was less than Korean microbial standards and specifications (3 log10 CFU/g). Total aerobic bacteria and Yeasts &molds were detected in candies less than 2.86, 3.36 log10CFU/g and the detection rates were 46, 8% respectively. Total aerobic bacteria, Yeast & mold were detected in chocolates at the levels less than 2.52 and 1.87 log10CFU/g and the detection rates were 33 and 22% respectively. Total aerobic bacteria in both ice creams and beverages were detected at the levels less than 3.39 and 1.35 log10CFU/g and the detection rates were 82 and 5% respectively. Coliforms were found in one ice cream (1.39 log10CFU/g) only. The result of this study indicated that all children snacks around school were suitable for microbial standard and specifications in Korean Food Code. However, since most children snacks around school are circulated without proper storage temperature and handing condition, consistent microbial management for children snacks are needed.

This study was conducted to examine purchasing behavior and satisfaction for imported processed snacks of mothers with preschool children and to provide nutrition education information for mothers. 81.4% of the respondents often purchased imported processed snacks and the main reason (51.0%) for purchasing imported processed snacks was preference of children. A total of 58.0% of the respondents purchased imported processed snacks at a large-scale discount store. 41.9% of the respondents purchased imported dairy products everyday, and 24.8% of them purchased the products once per week. The percentage of not purchasing at all was very high for imported confectionary, jelly and candy, nuts, and drinks. The food additive checking score was very high when purchasing imported processed snacks. The graduate school group and unemployed mothers checked significantly more often for food additives (p<0.05). The taste satisfaction score was very high, and employed mothers were satisfied with taste significantly more than unemployed mothers. Nutrition education using imported processed food labeling should be performed, and quality management before importing processed food should be carried out.

This survey was conducted to monitor the safety of children snacks circulated in a stationary store or small shop around the elementary school from March to October, 2008, in Gwangju. A total of 309 samples was tested. Of these samples, 254 were confectioneries, 41 were ready-to-eat foods like kimbap, 4 were beverages and 10 were the others like fishery products. 259 were domestic products and 50 were imported. By the origin of imported samples, 17 were from china, 6 from U.S.A., 5 from india and etc. We found out that in acid value, 2 cases of fried snacks(3.9 and 4.4) proved to exceed regulatory guidance(2.0). And among ready-to-eat foods, two kimbap had Staphylococcus aureus, and one had Escherichia coli, which microorganism could cause food poisoning.