Coliforms, which are widely dispersed in soils, plants,
surface waters, and the gut of warm-blooded animals, are
facultative and Gram-negative rods. They can inXuence
food safety and preservation because these organisms are
an indicator of fecal contamination and can carry water
borne pathogens. According to the Korea Food Code, if
coliforms are isolated from rice, the rice only can be used to
make noodles and suchlike experienced in heating process.
If coliforms are isolated from food products such as raw
rice and rice Xour without any further heat processing, the
products are not allowing to be sold in Korean market
legally.