title: Analysis of microbiological contamination in mixed pressed ham and cooked sausage in Korea.
abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate the microbial contamination levels (aerobic bacteria plate count [APC], coliforms, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Listeria monocytogenes) in mixed pressed ham and cooked sausage. A total of 180 samples were collected from factories with and without hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) systems at four steps: after chopping (AC), after mixing (AM), cooling after the first heating process, and cooling after the second heating process. For ham, APCs and coliform and E. coli counts increased when ingredients were added to the meat at the AC step. Final product APC was 1.63 to 1.85 log CFU/g, and coliforms and E. coli were not detected. S. aureus and L. monocytogenes were found in nine (15.0%) and six (10.0%) samples, respectively, but only at the AC and AM steps and not in the final product. Sausage results were similar to those for ham. The final product APC was 1.52 to 3.85 log CFU/g, and coliforms and E. coli were not detected. S. aureus and L. monocytogenes were found in 29 (24.2%) and 25 (20.8%) samples at the AC and AM steps, respectively, but not in the final product. These results indicate that the temperature and time of the first and second heating are of extreme importance to ensure the microbiological safety of the final product regardless of whether a HACCP system is in place. Microorganism contamination must be monitored regularly and regulations regarding sanitization during processing should be improved. Education regarding employee personal hygiene, environmental hygiene, prevention of cross-contamination, ingredient control, and step-by-step process control is needed to reduce the risk of food poisoning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Biotechnology and Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon 200-701, Korea.
authors.forename: Myoung-Su
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Biotechnology and Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon 200-701, Korea.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Biotechnology and Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon 200-701, Korea.
authors.forename: Joong-Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Biotechnology and Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon 200-701, Korea.
authors.forename: Fereidoun
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Forghani
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Disease Control & Quarantine, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Anyang, Gyeonggi, 430-824, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jin-San
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science and Biotechnology and Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon 200-701, Korea. deoghwa@kangwon.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Deog-Hwan
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Oh
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D003296:Cooking; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods*; D064088:Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points; D006920:Hygiene; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008461:Meat Products / Q000382:microbiology*; D056910:Republic of Korea; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013552:Swine; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors