Dongjak-gu Designates and Operates 'Hyosarang Sharing Restaurants'

Activation of Restaurant Hygiene Rating System, Operation of Group Meal Plant-Based Day, Sodium Reduction Program... From This Year, Designation and Operation of Hyosarang Nanum Restaurants to Promote Use and Foster Respect for Elders Culture

Restaurant Hygiene Inspection

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Dongjak-gu (Mayor Lee Chang-woo) will promote the ‘2020 Food Culture Improvement Project’ from February to December to encourage residents' voluntary practice of healthy eating habits.

This project will be carried out in three areas: ▲improving Dongjak-gu’s unique food culture ▲activating the restaurant hygiene rating system ▲ensuring a safe dining environment and practicing healthy meal plans.

First, the ‘Hyosarang Sharing Good Restaurant Designation and Operation’ project will be implemented for the first time this year from March to December.

It is designed to promote restaurant usage and foster a community culture that respects and honors elders by selling food at a 20% discounted price to local seniors aged 70 and above.

General restaurants participating in the project will be recruited until next month, evaluated on hygiene status, and the final recipients will be selected.

Selected establishments will receive a Hyosarang Good Restaurant certification plaque and hygiene supplies such as antibacterial cutting boards and knife sterilizers.

Additionally, the district will undertake activities to expand and activate the restaurant hygiene rating system.

The restaurant hygiene rating system is a program by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety that evaluates restaurants on 64 items regarding hygiene status and designates ratings (Excellent, Very Good, Good) only to outstanding establishments, ensuring consumer choice.

The district supports restaurants with hygiene ratings by producing and distributing hygiene rating signs and supplying multipurpose detergents as incentives. The rating is valid for two years from the designation date.

Together with the Dongjak-gu branch of the Korea Foodservice Industry Association, the district plans to encourage participation from food service businesses and existing model restaurants that have not yet received hygiene ratings.

Furthermore, to ensure residents’ safe dining environments and promote healthy meal practices, various programs will be operated, including ▲‘Vegetarian Day at Group Meal Services’ involving about 40 cafeterias in government offices and companies in the area ▲‘Love Sharing Restaurants’ providing free meals to vulnerable children on their birthdays ▲and initiatives to reduce sodium intake for healthier eating habits.

Love Sharing Restaurant Project for Vulnerable Children Who Celebrated Their Birthdays Last Summer

Jung Woo-seok, Director of the Health and Hygiene Division, said, “Through this food culture improvement project, we hope to create a safe food environment for residents and lead to improved healthy eating habits.”

Last year, the district carried out a sodium intake reduction environment project, with 147 restaurants participating, a 114% increase compared to 2018. Approximately 3,500 children, housewives, and office workers participated in the ‘Practice Learning Center for Eating Less Salt.’