How do the work environment and work safety differ between the dry and wet kitchen foodservice facilities?

In order to create a worker-friendly environment for institutional foodservice, facilities operating with a dry kitchen system have been recommended. This study was designed to compare the work safety and work environment of foodservice between wet and dry kitchen systems. Data were obtained using questionnaires with a target group of 303 staff at 57 foodservice operations. Dry kitchen facilities were constructed after 2006, which had a higher construction cost and more finishing floors with anti-slip tiles, and in which employees more wore non-slip footwear than wet kitchen (76.7%). The kitchen temperature and muscular pain were the most frequently reported employees' discomfort factors in the two systems, and, in the wet kitchen, "noise of kitchen" was also frequently reported as a discomfort. Dietitian and employees rated the less slippery and slip related incidents in dry kitchens than those of wet kitchen. Fryer area, ware-washing area, and plate waste table were the slippery areas and the causes were different between the functional areas. The risk for current leakage was rated significantly higher in wet kitchens by dietitians. In addition, the ware-washing area was found to be where employees felt the highest risk of electrical shock. Muscular pain (72.2%), arthritis (39.1%), hard-of-hearing (46.6%) and psychological stress (47.0%) were experienced by employees more than once a month, particularly in the wet kitchen. In conclusion, the dry kitchen system was found to be more efficient for food and work safety because of its superior design and well managed practices.

Development of Food Safety and Nutrition Education Contents for the Elderly: by Focus Group Interview and Delphi Technique / 대한지역사회영양학회지

Our society is aging rapidly, and the number of elderly people who are in charge of purchasing and preparing foods at home is increasing. However, most the elderly have difficulty managing nutrition and food safety by themselves. The purpose of this study was to develop the necessary knowledge, through focus group interview and Delphi technique to establish a food safety and nutrition education program. The diet and educational needs of the elderly were surveyed through FGI. The education topics were decided by the Delphi technique. The education program consisted of a five week program, and the topics taught were 'Dietary Change for Healthy Life', 'Prevention of Food Poisoning in Everyday Life', 'Safe Food Handling for my Health', 'Healthy Dietary Life to Prevent Chronic Disease', and 'Safety! Nutrition! Healthy Dietary Life'. This education program was designed to decrease the perceived barriers, and to increase the perceived interests and the sense of self-efficacy. Education program materials, lesson plans, slides, handouts, videos, leaflets, and booklets were developed. Based on the results, the contents of the food safety guideline leaflets for the elderly were decided as the following: (1) wash your hands in the correct way; (2) select safe food; (3) cook foods safely; (4) keep foods safely; (5) keep kitchen utensils clean. In conclusion, if advanced education programs are implemented and delivered continuously in locations such as health centers and community welfare centers, those will contribute significantly to enhance the perception of food safety and to change the desirable dietary behavior of the elderly.

A Facility Design Model for 1300 Capacity School Foodservice with Adjacency and Bubble Diagrams / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study aimed to suggest a 1300 scale of a middle school foodservice facility floor plan which was compliant to the principle of HACCP, as well as ensuring food and work safety, and the flow of personnel and food materials. which consisted of 46 nutrition teachers and 6 experts, responded with a questionnaire on the relationship of functional area and space. Using their opinions, key principles for the design of the facility were single direction movement of food materials, customers and workers; minimization of the cross-contamination through the separation of functional space; and securement of customer-focused efficiency; staff-centered convenience and efficiency; and work and food safety. After the completion of an adjacency diagram, bubble diagram and program statement, the functional areas of a 1300 scale middle school food-service facility were allocated as follows: 9.9 m2 for the receiving area, 56.1 m2 for the pre-preparation area, 10.5 m2 for the food storage area, 6.0 m2 for the supplies storage area, 97.8 m2 for the cooking area, 33.6 m2 for the service area, 52.5 m2 for dish washing area, cafeteria 410.5 m2, 4.5 m2 for the front room, for a total of 725.8 m2. Expert groups have pointed to limitations within this model as there are no windows in the office for the influx of fresh outside air and a need for the straight line installation of steam-jacket and frying kettles on the sides of windows. This study can be useful as the guidelines for estimating the investment cost of the facility and placing the placement of functional areas and equipment in the renovation of the facility. It can be also useful data for a methodology of foodservice facility design.

Effects of Total Quality Management Performance on Dietitians' Job Satisfaction and Organizational Commitment in Business and Industry Foodservice Operations

The purpose of the study was to identify the relationships Total Quality Management (TQM) performance, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment among dietitians in business and industry foodservice. A total of 300 dietitians working in business and industry foodservices in Seoul and Gyeonggi province were surveyed using a self-administrated questionnaire and 203 responses were obtained. The data were analyzed using SPSS Windows (Ver. 12.0) for descriptive analysis and reliability analysis, and AMOS (Ver. 5.0) for structural equation modeling. The respondents were all female, 56.7% single, and 71.4% under regular employment. By foodservice management type, 52.7% of the foodservice operations were self-operated. The majority of the operations provided meals more than twice a day (73.9%), and 70.4% offered a non-selective menu. The dietitians of the contracted foodservices tended to have higher TQM performance scores than those of the self-operated foodservices (P<0.01). There were no significant differences in job satisfaction and organizational commitment scores by the type of the foodservice management. TQM performance was found to have a positive effect on job satisfaction, and job satisfaction affected organizational commitment for both the self-operated and contracted foodservices. A relationship between TQM performance level and organizational commitment of self-operated foodservices was not found. On the other hand, TQM performance level was the principal significant factor for increasing the organizational commitment of contracted foodservices. This research suggests that business and industry foodservices need to improve TQM performance to enhance job satisfaction and organizational commitment of foodservice dietitians and to develop specified TQM strategies that can be applied to each type of foodservice management.

Evaluation of the food safety training for food handlers in restaurant operations

This study examined the extent of improvement of food safety knowledge and practices of employee through food safety training. Employee knowledge and practice for food safety were evaluated before and after the food safety training program. The training program and questionnaires for evaluating employee knowledge and practices concerning food safety, and a checklist for determining food safety performance of restaurants were developed. Data were analyzed using the SPSS program. Twelve restaurants participated in this study. We split them into two groups: the intervention group with training, and the control group without food safety training. Employee knowledge of the intervention group also showed a significant improvement in their score, increasing from 49.3 before the training to 66.6 after training. But in terms of employee practices and the sanitation performance, there were no significant increases after the training. From these results, we recommended that the more job-specific and hand-on training materials for restaurant employees should be developed and more continuous implementation of the food safety training and integration of employee appraisal program with the outcome of safety training were needed.

Assessment of Nutrient Intakes of Lunch Meals for the Aged Customers at the Elderly Care Facilities Through Measuring Cooking Yield Factor and the Weighed Plate Waste

The purposes of this study were to investigate one portion size of menus served and to evaluate nutrient intake of lunch at three elderly care facility food services located in Seoul. A weighed plate method was employed to measure plate wastes and consumption of the menus served. Yield factors were calculated from cooking experiments based on standardized recipes, and were used to evaluate nutrient intake. One hundred elderly participated in this study for measuring plate waste and were asked to complete questionnaire. Nutrient analyses for the served and consumed meal were performed using CAN program. The yield factors of rice dishes after cooking are 2.4 regardless of rice dish types, 1.58 for thick soups, 0.60 to 0.70 for meat dishes, and 1.0 to 1.25 branched vegetable. Average consumption quantity of dishes were 235.97 g for rice, 248.53 g for soup, 72.83 g for meat dishes, 39.80 g for vegetables and 28.36 g for Kimchi. On average the food waste rate is 14.0%, indicating the second highest plate waste percentage of Kimchi (26.2%), and meat/fish dish (17.3%). The evaluation results of NAR (Nutrition Adequacy Ratio) showed that iron (0.12), calcium (0.64), riboflavin (0.80), and folic acid (0.97) were less than 1.0 in both male and female elderly groups, indicating significant differences of NAR among three facilities. Compared to the 1/3 Dietary Reference Intake (DRIs) for the elderly groups, nutrient intake analysis demonstrated that calcium (100%) and iron (100%), followed by riboflavin, vitamin A, and Vitamin B6 did not met of the 1/3 EAR (Estimated Average Requirement). For the nutritious meal management, a professional dietitian should be placed at the elderly care center to develop standardized recipes in consideration of yield factors and the elderly's health and nutrition status.

Effectiveness of the Preprocessed Foods on Productivity and Satisfaction in School Foodservices

Fresh-cut foods have been widely used in the school foodservice industry due to their convenience and saving effects of labor and working hours. This study evaluated the effectiveness of using fresh-cut foods in school foodservice with respect to cost efficiency, customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, and productivity. First, in terms of cost efficiency, the cost of the fresh-cut food per meal price significantly increased by 2.6% via the new production plan. Meanwhile, the costs of labor and food wastes significantly decreased by 3.0% and 0.3%, respectively, after implementing the new plan. Second, customer satisfaction towards foodservice significantly increased, from 2.94 points prior to the new plan to 3.45 points. Third, foodservice productivity such as of the number of meals per full-time equivalent employee increased by 5.7 meals, from 143.0 meals to 148.7 meals after intervention. The productivity index of work hours for producing a meal also increased and was reflected by a work time reduction of 0.77 minutes, specifically from 4.25 minutes to 3.48 minutes. The labor cost per meal also decreased by 29.9 won, from 331.91 won to 301.97 won, but there was no significant difference. Through these results, we identified that using pre-process foods in school foodservice has positive effects on labor saving, customer satisfaction, and employee work satisfaction.

Strategies for the Improvement of Customer Satisfaction on Foodservice through Identifying the Foodservice Quality Factors in Senior Care Facilities / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study was designed to develop the strategy plans for the customer satisfaction on foodservice in the senior care facilities. For this, we examined the level of the customer satisfaction and foodservice quality. Additionally, the association between service quality, customer satisfaction, and social, psychological, physical factors of the aged were tested. Data from convenience samples from 3 senior care facilities were collected by using a questionnaire. Exploratory factor analyses were completed on 20 attributes for the food and service quality and 7 items for the social and psychological states of the aged, respectively. Cronbach's alpha was estimated for reliability, and Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis were used for statistical analyses. The level of the satisfaction on foodservice was 4.01 of 5.0. The satisfaction on foodservice did not show the significant differences by gender, education level, BMI, and socio-psychological satisfaction. But the foodservice quality and the satisfaction showed significant difference by income and physical problem, and the goal of life of the eldely, respectively. Multiple regression analyses revealed that the determinants of the customer satisfaction on foodservice were the core quality of product, confidence, professionalism of employees and secondary quality of products. Especially, the kindness of employee is the most important attribute of the foodservice. Based on these results, we can set the strategy plans as follow: (1) the introduction of the foodservice evaluation system (2) the deployment of the event activities for offering fun to the customer (3) the continuous training of employees for ensuring the professional and kind service system, and (4) the introduction of selective menu system and take-out service of menu.

Current and Future Foodservice Management Performance in Child-care Centers

This study examined foodservice management performance in child-care centers and suggests ways in which meal service quality can be improved. Questionnaires were distributed to 51 child-care facilities. The majority of respondents were facility directors (dietitians) and their facility type was tax-paid (92.2%). The dietitian response rate was 51.0%, and the majority (96.2%) were hired with co-management status, visiting a facility once a week (76.0%). Only 52.1% of the facilities had menu planning by a dietitian, and improvements were needed in terms of planning menus with standardized recipes, especially for infant meals. The monthly food cost per child was 47,394 won, and the labor cost for a co-management dietitian was 3,670 won per child, indicating 21.8% and 1.8% of the tuition fee, respectively. Other necessary improvements included: more reliable food purchasing management, securing additional foodservice equipment, and better sanitation management. In addition, respondents rated the following as requirements to ensure high quality meal service: 'modernized foodservice equipment and facilities', 'government financial support', and 'information on nutrition and foodservice management provided by dietitians'. Based on the study results, the following are recommendations for improving meal service quality in child-care centers: Dietitian placement should be extended to facilities of over 50-capacity in addition to their current placement in facilities of over 100-capacity, and co-management dietitians should have their control span restricted to two facilities instead of five. Finally, nationwide nutrition support plans and nutrition education programs should be developed and implemented by dietitians, and their roles should be extended to foodservice mangers as well as nutrition teachers.

The Survey of Implementing Selective Menus and the Perception of Dietitians and Customers in Hospital Foodservice Operations

The objectives of this study were to assess the current practices of implementing selective menus and to identify the perception of foodservice manager and customer on selective menus for hospital foodservice would be fulfilled. Two types of questionnaires for hospital foodservice managers as well as customers were developed. Questionnaires were distributed to managers of 8 hospital foodservice department and 317 customers of patient meal service, and 6 managers and 139 customers were responded. The data were analyzed using frequency and t-test. The results of this study can be summarized as follows : 1. In hospital foodservice operations, the selective menu pattern was first introduced by L hospital on June 1994 in Seoul and recently 8 hospitals were currently implementing selective menus. But using rate of selective menus by patients were relatively low(23.2%), ranging from 15% to 32%. 2. Customers' needs for selective menus were rated significantly higher in the group of patients(4.24/5) who chose the selective menus than their counterpart(3.88/5). 3. The main reason not choosing selective menus was identified by patients as 'not knowing the implementation of selective menus'(52.6%), inconvenient factors in using selective menus for customer were also identified as orders : 'lack of nutrition information on menu item'(38.6%), 'complexity in procedure'(29.8%), and 'lack of menu variety'(26.3%). However managers considered 'managerial burden' and 'limited human resource' as main obstacle to implement the selective menu pattern. 4. Customers indicated 'variety of menu', 'active public relations' as effective methods to enhance using rate of selective menus, however, foodservice manager indicated 'variety of menu'(50%), 'improvement of quality'(16.7%), and 'simplicity in procedure'(16.7%). Based on the results of this study, following recommendations have been suggested : Managers in patient meal service should recognize customer needs for implementing selective menus and pay more attention in implementing selective menus and activating this program. For more effective implementation of activating selective menu program, the foodservice department should establish action plan on 'active publicity work', 'simplicity in procedures', 'variety of menu' and 'improvement of quality'. Especially nutrition informations on meals should be provided for customers in order to elevate participation rate.

Effectiveness of 70% Alcohol Solution and Hand Washing Methods on Removing Transient Skin Bacteria in Foodservice Operation

Hand washing is an important component of hygiene program for food handlers. Hands can be a source of direct or indirect contamination of foods with pathogenic microorganisms. In this study, the effectiveness of hand washing methods and the use of 70% alcohol solution against transient skin bacteria was tested in an university foodservice facility. 70% alcohol solution is sprayed for 5 seconds automatically when hands are placed in the dispenser. Samples were taken using swab technique in meat cutting area, vegetable trimming area, and vegetable cutting area: before and after washing hands according to planned methods, and after being sprayed with 70% alcohol solution after washing hands. The bacteriological analysis of total plate counts, coliform, fecal coliform of food handlers' hands was done. Statistical data analysis was completed with Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal-Wallis model using the SPSS program. The levels of initial contamination of workers' hand were significantly different by the work areas(chi-square=9.156, p<0.01). Workers in the vegetable trimming area had more heavily soiled hands than in the other work areas. Mean of TPC counts and coliform was 8.97x10(5) CFU/12.4cm2, 2.93x10(2) MPN/12.4cm2 respectively, but fecal coliform was not detected. Transient bacteria were removed from hands after washing and using 70% alcohol solution but were not removed completely. Mean reduction percentage in TPC varied among work areas and ranged from 93.19% to 94.99%, and in colifroms from 97.31% to 100%. A significant difference in TPC was found between before and after hand disinfection (Z=-2.714, p<.01) and between standardized hand washing procedures and un-standardized hand washing procedures(z=-2.301, p<.01). Subjects using the hand sanitizer showed a great elimination of TPC(99.45% reduction), but this effect was valid only after following proper washing procedures. Based on the results, the most effective hand washing method was recommended as the combination of the standardized hand washing procedure with warm-water and use of th 70% alcohol solution. The results can be used to develop hand hygiene programs and training strategies for enhancing hand hygiene practices for food handlers in foodservice operations.

A Quality of Worklife : A Study of the Perceptions of University Foodservice Employees

The purposes of this research were to assess the quality of worklife of university foodservice managers and workers by operation type, and to investigate the characteristics of demographic variables in university foodservice employees. A questionnaire was administered to 27 managers and 180 personnels who are working in 9 university foodservice facilities. And 21 managers and 160 workers were responded with a response rate of 78% and 89%, respectively. Statistical data analysis was completed using the SPSS programs for descriptive analysis, ANOVA, T-test and SNK test. The results of this study can be summarized as follows : 1. Almost all respondents were female(87%), 40.5 percent of the respondents were between 40 to 49 years of age, 42.9 percent of the respondents had been in their current job between 2 to 5 years, and 55.2 percent of the respondents eamed pays between 500,000won to 800,000won per month, Only 42.6% percent of the respondents were full-time employee. 2. The mean scores for the quality of worklife was 3.07 on a 5-point scales of 1=disagree very much and 5 = agree very much. 3. Factors receiving the higher ratings included "optimum levels of work variety"(3.83), "positive attitude toward work"(4.14), and "cooperative relationship with coworkers"(4.22). But respondents were least satisfied with "promotion"(2.07), "temperature of workplace"(2.17) "rest time"(2.25), and "pay"(2.28) factors. 4. There was a significant difference in the perception of the quality of worklife according to the operation type(self-operated, contracted, and rented management), but no difference was noted by position(managers vs workers) Results can be user to develop intervention and training strategies for enhancing positive attitude and the quality of work of employees.

Assessment of Main Management Components for Successful University Foodservice Operations By Using SERVQUAL Model

The purpose of this study were to assess main management components that can lead to successful university foodservice operations. Specifically, it was intended to develop the tool which assesses the service quality, management, to assess the difference between customer importance from and perceptions of service quality, to compare management perceptions of customer importances with actual service delivery, and to identify internal problems which affect service quality with the use of gap model. Three types of questionnaires were developed and implemented for customers, foodservice personals and foodservice manager. Assessment tools were developed based on the literature review, SERVQUAL, GAP model, and the pilot study. Through the validity and reliability test, the questionnaires were revised. Questionnaires were distributed to 900 university students, 207 foodservice personnels, and 54 foodservice manager respectively. 831 university students, 177 foodservice personnels, and 48 foodservice manager were responded with a response rate of 92.3%, 85.5%, and 88.8% respectively. Statistical data analysis was completed using the SPSS programs for descriptive analysis, ANOVA. and SNK test. The results of this study can be summarized as follows : 1. In quality service management components, 31 quality service attributes were categorized and named into primary quality, secondary quality, hygiene, empathy, tangibles, reliability, responsiveness, and price by the factor analysis. 2. Importance mean score of customers was 4.02 out of 5, but perception mean score of customers was 2.55. So there was a relative big gap(1.47) between importance and perception scores, especially in three dimensions of responsiveness, primary quality, and hygiene. 3. It showed that customers' mean scores of perceived service quality by dimensions were the following order : price > reliability > secondary quality > hygiene > tangibles > primary quality > responsiveness > empathy. And the perception mean score of rented(2.59) or contracted(2.58) management was significantly higher than that of self-operated(2.48). 4. Customers' importances mean score which internal customers recognize was 4.23 out of 5, but service delivery mean score was 3.85. So there was a little gap(0.39) between management perceptions of customer importances and actual service delivery. 5. In gap model, SERVQUAL score showed -1.47, Gap 1 positive 0.15, gap 2 negative 0.61, and gap 3 was positive 0.19. 6. The internal problems were as follows ; (1) The managers of University foodservice perceived well enough the customers' expectation value but their management competency was lacked in terms of responding customer needs, (2) The foodservice staff perceived service performance more highly than service quality specifications.