Shinan-gun Promotes Hygiene Grade Designation Consulting for Popular Restaurants

Expectations for Improved Hygiene Levels Contribute to Sales Increase Through Consumer Trust and Confidence

Scenic View of Sinan County Office Building (Photo by Sinan County)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seo Young-seo] Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Park Woo-ryang) announced on the 20th that it will promote consulting for the designation of hygiene grades for restaurants to improve hygiene levels, prevent food poisoning, and guarantee consumer choice.

Sinan-gun plans to conduct a preliminary survey of hygiene restaurants, including 22 model establishments, and directly visit consulting target businesses that meet the hygiene grade evaluation criteria to provide consulting with the consent of the business operators.

The hygiene grade evaluation is divided into basic areas, seating/rooms, kitchens, employee hygiene management, restrooms, business operator awareness, and consumer satisfaction, and is conducted by the Korea Food Safety Management Certification Institute, an evaluation agency designated by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, according to the evaluation indicators.

The hygiene grades are designated as Very Excellent (3 stars) for a total evaluation score of 90 or above, Excellent (2 stars) for 85 to 90 points, and Good (1 star) for 80 to 85 points. Designated establishments will be supported with hygiene supplies such as wet tissues, hand sanitizers, garbage bags, hand sanitizers, communal serving utensils, matters related to food culture improvement, and grade signboards.

Jang Gwang-su, Director of the Taste Art and Culture Division, said, “We expect an increase in sales through improved hygiene levels via voluntary competition among business operators triggered by the designation of hygiene grades, which will have the effect of preventing food poisoning and gaining consumer trust and confidence. We will also strive harder for a safe food culture, improvement of food culture, price stabilization, and eradication of overcharging.”