ABSTRACT. From August 2007 until March 2008, we perfomed a detection and epidemiological analysis for Salmonella spp. in specimens collected from pork production chains to improve the quality of meat hygiene conditions in Hue, Vietnam. A total of 306 specimens were examined for Salmonella spp., aerobic bacterial counts and coliform. Seven serovars of Salmonella spp. were detected in retail pork, slaughterhouse carcasses and environmental specimens with the following detection rates: 32.8% of retail pork, 15.5% of slaughterhouse carcasses, 47.4% of floors, 38.1% of weighing bowls, 28.6% of cooking boards and 16.7% of tank water samples. Based on these results, we recommend that exhaustive sterilization, washing, routine bacteriological examinations and treatments at low temperature are performed in slaughterhouses, transportation facilities and retail stores.

This study aimed to improve public knowledge on radiation risk and its management system by providing information for the consumers in order to assist in food purchase decision making. To develop the necessary information, we administered web-based questionnaires twice and conducted two rounds of focus group interviews (FGIs) involving fi ve groups between each questionnaire. Attitude toward food from suffered areas, trust in the risk management sector, and change in the knowledge level with and without providing the information were examined in each questionnaire. FGIs were conducted to identify any insuffi cient or confusing point in the provided information on radiation risk. As a result, although the risk of radiocesium was not regarded as high compared with other risks in beef, the willingness to pay (WTP) for food from affected areas was lower even if the contamination was checked to be below the regulation level. Public knowledge on current radiocesium contamination in food, risk control measures such as the regulation level and inspection, and health effects of low-dose radiation exposure was limited. The developed information package is available on the website of the Research Center for Food Safety belonging to the University of Tokyo.

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Cognitive appraisal of interpersonal stress in childcare workers was investigated from the perspective of interpersonal stress situations and social skills. Participants were kindergarten teachers n 57 and nursery teachers n 91. ey responded to the Stress Cognitive Appraisal Scale and Kikuchi s Scale of Social Skills. Results indicated that dealings with parents and children were considered important sources of interpersonal stress, whereas dealings with superiors at the workplace were considered more di cult to control. e results of correlation analysis between social skills and cognitive appraisal of controlling interpersonal stress situations indicated that the two were positively correlated. ese results indicate that childcare workers are positively involved in dealing with children and parents. Moreover, they have di culties in controlling interpersonal stress with their superiors and colleagues. Positive correlations were found between the sense of controlling interpersonal stress situations and social skills. erefore, it is suggested that improving social skills might enhance cognitive appraisal of controlling interpersonal stress.

Concerns about radioactive contamination are spreading among consumers after the nuclear power plant incident at Fukushima, Japan in 2011. This study is an attempt to understand how Japanese consumer recognize the risk of radioactive substances in food based on web-based-questionnaire conducted in October 2011, March 2012, and January 2013. Results showedmixed awareness both willing to support radiation-affected areas and willing to avoid the risk of radioactive substances. And deteriorating trust on the radioactive substance management by the stakeholders, and insufficient information provided on risk and management of radioactive substances also were indicated. Among the respondents, those revealed higher satisfaction about risk management measures showed the lower perceived level of risk and their knowledge level were higher.