Consumer Hygiene Practices Regarding the Use of Home Refrigerators to Store Meat in the Capital Area of Korea

Food hygiene practices must be maintained from farm to table in order to prevent contamination by microorganisms. This study was conducted to investigate consumer hygiene practices related to the refrigerator storage of meat, including a microbial analysis, monitoring of refrigerator temperatures and consumer surveys of female homeowners in the capital area of Korea. Home refrigerator temperatures were maintained above $5^{\circ}C$ in 26 (19.7%) of the 132 houses investigated. The percentage of the refrigerators with a total microbial count over $10^2\;CFU/100\;cm^2$ was 14.4%. No E. coli, Salmonella spp. or Listeria monocytogenes microbes were detected. However, Staphylococcus aureus was detected in 14 houses (10.6%). The only statistically significant difference in hygiene practices between the non-contamination group and contamination group was in the last time of refrigerator cleaning (p<0.01), as determined by the consumer survey. To improve food hygiene when using a refrigerator, raw materials must be packaged, meat should be stored only on a designated shelf, and cooked foods must be contained to prevent cross-contamination. The refrigerator should be cleaned regularly, at least once a month, and refrigerator thermometers should be monitored below $5^{\circ}C$ in order to keep food safe.