The Korean Journal of Food & Health Convergence (KJFHC), KODISA Foundation

PDF Citaion Microplastics Challenges Advances And Solutions In Environmental And Health Research

Benish ZAHRA(Eulji University) ; Woo-Taeg KWON(Eulji University) ; Woo-Sik LEE(Unionenv. CO. LTD.) pp.1-15 https://doi.org/10.13106/kjfhc.2025.vol11.no2.1

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Abstract

Purpose: Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) have emerged as pervasive pollutants in atmospheric, aquatic, and terrestrial ecosystems, raising growing concerns about their ecological and human health impacts. This study aims to examine their environmental sources, transport pathways, human exposure routes, toxicological implications, and recent advancements in detection technologies. Methodology: A narrative review method was adopted, synthesizing findings from 32 peer-reviewed studies published between 2009 and 2024 and sourced from databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. Results: The results reveal that MPs primarily originate from land-based activities and enter environmental compartments through atmospheric deposition, surface runoff, industrial discharges, and improper plastic waste management. Human exposure occurs predominantly via ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. MPs have been detected in food, water, air, and human tissues including lungs, placenta, breast milk, and blood posing risks such as inflammation, endocrine disruption, neurotoxicity, and reproductive harm. Despite advances in detection technologies (e.g., FTIR, Raman, Py-GC/MS, SEM, microfluidics), standardization remains a critical gap. Conclusion: This review underscores the urgent need for harmonized detection protocols, improved environmental monitoring, and interdisciplinary research. The study proposes policy recommendations targeting regulation, plastic alternatives, biomonitoring, and global mitigation strategies to address the growing threat of microplastics to ecosystems and human well-being.

PDF Citaion Business Growth and Structural Transformation in Aging-Friendly Product Manufacturing: Evidence from 2021-2022

Woo-Taeg KWON(Eulji University) ; Jin-Tai PARK(Unionenv. CO. LTD) ; Hee-Sang YU(Unionenv. CO. LTD) ; Lee-Seung KWON(Unionenv. CO. LTD) pp.17-30 https://doi.org/10.13106/kjfhc.2025.vol11.no2.17

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Purpose :This study analyzes the growth and structural changes in the aging-friendly product manufacturing industry between 2021 and 2022. It explores business expansion, shifts in ownership, and sector-specific trends, aiming to determine statistical significance. Research Design & Data: Using secondary data from national statistical sources, the study conducts quantitative analysis through descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and paired T-tests. It examines business registration records across three sectors: Daily Living Products, Personal Healthcare Products, and Residential Equipment Manufacturing. Research Results: The industry experienced notable growth, with businesses increasing across all segments. A paired T-test (p = 0.0086) confirms that this growth is statistically significant. Individual businesses grew by 27.43%, especially in Daily Living Products (+3.5 percentage points). A Chi-square test (χ² = 2131.04, p < 0.001) reveals significant shifts in ownership structures, particularly the growing presence of corporate firms in Residential Equipment Manufacturing (+1.7 percentage points). Conclusion: The findings indicate a rise in entrepreneurial activity in consumer-focused sectors and corporate consolidation in capital-intensive areas. Policy initiatives supporting startups and SMEs, alongside regulatory and technological changes, have influenced these trends. Future research should investigate consumer demand patterns, long-term growth, and international comparisons to better understand the aging-friendly industry’s trajectory.

PDF Citaion Study on the Application of Blockchain Technology to Improve Efficiency and Transparency in Food Supply Chain Management

Choo Yeon KIM(Konkuk University) ; Seong-Soo CHA(Hansei University) pp.31-37 https://doi.org/10.13106/kjfhc.2025.vol11.no2.31

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This study examines the transformative potential of blockchain technology in food supply chain management through a comprehensive systematic literature review. Recent food safety incidents and supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic have exposed critical vulnerabilities in current food supply chain management systems. Through a systematic analysis of 85 peer-reviewed articles published from 2018 to 2020, we investigated how blockchain technology enhances supply chain transparency and efficiency, identified implementation challenges, and determined the key success factors for adoption. Our research method followed established frameworks for systematic reviews, utilizing major academic databases such as the Web of Science, Scopus, IEEE Xplore, and ScienceDirect. The study identifies four key characteristics of blockchain technology that are particularly beneficial for supply chain management—decentralization, immutability, transparency, and traceability. Our findings demonstrate that blockchain implementation has significantly improved food safety response capabilities, enhanced data security, and reduced operational costs. Implementation benefits extend beyond operational improvements to include increased consumer trust and improved producer margins. While initial implementation requires substantial investment, organizations have achieved favorable returns through operational efficiency improvements. This study contributes to both the theoretical perspective and practical application of blockchain technology in food supply chains, offering valuable insights for industry practitioners and policymakers

PDF Citaion A Study on the Success Factors of Local Agricultural Shopping Mall 'Saiso' - From a platform sustainability perspective

Jong Min BAEK(Seoul National University) ; Jong Woo CHOI(Seoul National University) pp.39-49 https://doi.org/10.13106/kjfhc.2025.vol11.no2.39

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Since 2020, online sales of agri-food products have increased significantly, with public shopping malls showing notable differences in performance depending on the administrative and operational capabilities of local governments. This study aims to derive practical and policy implications by analyzing the case of Gyeongsangbuk-do’s ‘Saiso,’ a local government-run agricultural platform that has demonstrated stable and continuous growth. The research identifies three major strategies that contributed to Saiso’s success. First, the integration and centralized operation of municipal and county-level shopping malls enabled economies of scale and expanded support for local farms. Second, the delegation of operations to a specially established local government corporation allowed for flexible and proactive execution of business activities such as live commerce, promotional campaigns, and global market entry. Third, Saiso’s open market-type logistics structure, characterized by low commission fees and increased bargaining power with delivery service providers, helped reduce logistics costs. These findings suggest that continued platform integration and strategic policy support from local governments are essential for the sustainable growth of public agri-food platforms. Farmers and local producers, in turn, should focus on improving product and service quality. This study is significant in that it analyzes a real-world success case, providing valuable insights that have been underrepresented in existing research.

PDF Citaion Study on the Changes in AI-Based Food and Restaurant Industry Services: A Literature Review 2020-2024

Seong Soo CHA(Hansei University) ; Bo-Kyung SEO(Eulji University) pp.51-57 https://doi.org/10.13106/kjfhc.2024.vol11.no2.51

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Abstract

This study presents a systematic literature review examining the transformative changes in AI-based services within the food and restaurant industry from 2020 to 2024, emphasizing the digital transformation accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through comprehensive analysis of peer-reviewed publications, we identify three critical dimensions: the evolution of AI service adoption patterns, the impact on service quality and customer experience, and the strategic implications for industry stakeholders. Our findings reveal that AI services have evolved beyond simple automation, primarily manifesting in three forms: process automation, cognitive insights, and cognitive engagement. While the pandemic initially drove AI adoption for physical distancing, the technology's role has expanded significantly to enhance service quality, operational efficiency, and customer experience. We find that successful AI implementation requires a balance between technological innovation and human-centric service delivery, with attention to customer acceptance and employee adaptation. The study identifies critical challenges including data management, organizational resistance, and ethical considerations. We contribute to the existing literature by developing an integrated theoretical framework that synthesizes technological, organizational, and human factors. This research advances the theoretical understanding of AI adoption in the hospitality sector and provides practical guidelines for industry practitioners. Our findings suggest AI will be characterized by increased personalization and enhanced human-AI collaboration.

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