title: Analysis of consumer complaints related to microbial contamination in soft drinks.
abstract: Surveillance of consumer complaints related to microbial contamination in soft drinks indicated that tea drinks, and juice and juice drinks were major soft drinks involved in complaints. The frequency of complaints about juice and juice drinks is relatively high in relation to the production amount. Damage to containers during distribution and inappropriate storage of soft drinks by consumers are major causes of complaints. Molds were predominantly associated with complaints and symptoms caused by intake of contaminated soft drinks. To reduce complaints, more support for small companies, and greater education for carriers, dealers and consumers are needed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Microbiology, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kamiyoga, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Yukiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hara-Kudo
authors.forename: Keiichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Goto
authors.forename: Youichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Onoue
authors.forename: Maiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: Ken-ichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Susumu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumagai
authors.forename: Yoshiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sugita-Konishi
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ohnishi
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001628:Beverages / Q000382:microbiology*; D003254:Consumer Advocacy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005511:Food Handling; D018857:Food Packaging; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires