Detection and distribution of food-borne bacteria in ready-to-eat foods in Korea

In this study, the contamination levels of total aerobic plate counts, Escherichia coli and various pathogenic bacteria in ready-to-eat (RTE) foods were investigated in Korea. A total of 634 samples were purchased randomly from 47 stores located in 3 different provinces. The aerobic plate count levels of RTE occurred in a relatively wide range, of 1.0-7.9 log CFU/g. E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes were detected in only 2 samples in the qualitative test. Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus were detected in 12.3 and 12.6% of the samples at levels up to 1 log CFU/g. These results demonstrate that RTE foods in Korea can be contaminated by a variety of pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, precautionary measures are necessary for consumer protection, including the improvement of sanitary conditions in the processing plants and sales locations for RTE products in Korea.