Determination of statistical sampling criteria for microbial contamination of cereal and Saeng-sik products

• Published in: Food science & technology Vol. 151; p. 112129
• Main Authors: Kim, You Jin, Park, Ju Yeon, Suh, Soo Hwan, Kim, Mi-Gyeong, Kwak, Hyo-Sun, Kim, Soon Han, Heo, Eun Jeong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.11.2021
• Subjects: Cereal; Microbial criteria; Saeng-sik; Cereal; Saeng-sik; Microbial criteria
• ISSN: 0023-6438; 1096-1127
• DOI: 10.1016/j.lwt.2021.112129

The aims of this study was to determine the actual levels of microbial contamination in cereal and Saeng-sik products and establish new microbial criteria for cereal and Saeng-sik products for the “Korea Food Code”. Monitoring microbial indicator organisms (i.e., total aerobic, coliform, and Escherichia coli counts) and food-borne pathogens (i.e., Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Clostridium perfringens) revealed that the total aerobic counts of cereal and Saeng-sik products were not detected (ND)–2.48 and 4.00–7.88 log10 CFU/g, respectively, whereas coliform bacteria were only detected in Saeng-sik (ND–5.24 log10 CFU/g). Cereals and Saeng-sik products were also contaminated with B. cereus (ND–2.95 log10 CFU/g and −0.40–3.30 log10 CFU/g, respectively). However, S. aureus, C. perfringens and E. coli were not detected in any of the cereal or Saeng-sik products. Based on this study, a revision was proposed for microbial criteria in cereal and Saeng-sik products. [Display omitted] •We aimed to determine levels of microbial contamination of Saeng-sik products.•We measured microbial indicator organisms and food-borne pathogens.•We found that the current food standards cut-off points miss some contaminants.