Mass Food Poisoning Outbreak at Famous Jeju Snack Bar
Heatwave Exceeding 30 Degrees This Month
Food Poisoning Cases Increase by 5.3% for Every 1-Degree Rise in Average Temperature
[Asia Economy Reporter Gong Byung-sun] As the spread of COVID-19 slows down, Mr. A (36) traveled to Jeju Island. However, an unexpected food poisoning ruined his trip. Around 4 p.m. on the 5th, he bought the best-selling gimbap at a famous snack bar's main branch in Jeju. After vomiting five times, he could no longer endure it and headed to the emergency room at Seogwipo Medical Center around 9 p.m. Mr. A said, "When I told the emergency room staff that I ate gimbap from the famous snack bar, they complained that many patients had come because of that place," adding, "Only then did I realize I was exposed to a mass food poisoning incident."
On the 7th, the Jeju Public Health Center announced that 20 people experienced symptoms of food poisoning such as abdominal pain and vomiting due to the famous snack bar. The investigation of the patients has been completed, and an epidemiological investigation will be conducted by visiting the establishment to examine ingredients and cutting boards. It was explained that it would take up to two weeks for the results to come out. The main branch of the snack bar is currently closed.
According to the Jeju Public Health Center, the exact cause of the mass food poisoning has not yet been identified. However, patients pointed to the egg omelet included in the gimbap as the main cause. Mr. B, who also bought gimbap from the same snack bar, said, "I did not feel anything unusual when eating it," but added, "The ingredient most likely to spoil among what I ate that day was the egg in the gimbap." The Jeju Public Health Center also stated that they conducted an investigation on 25 people who ate the gimbap.
In fact, food poisoning cases have been increasing recently. According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), 53 cases of food poisoning were reported last month, an increase of about 83% compared to the same period last year. Although this is a provisional figure, it is close to the record high of 56 cases recorded in June 2007.
Food Poisoning Cases Increase with Sudden Hot Weather... Follow the 6 Major Food Poisoning Prevention Rules
The recent frequent occurrence of food poisoning is due to the sudden rise in temperature. Pathogenic E. coli, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Salmonella, and other bacteria that cause food poisoning multiply at temperatures between 40 and 60 degrees Celsius. Additionally, research shows that for every 1-degree Celsius increase in average temperature, the number of food poisoning cases increases by 5.3%. Since the daily high temperature has been exceeding 30 degrees Celsius this month, it creates an ideal environment for bacterial growth. On the 3rd, the daytime high temperature even reached 34.2 degrees Celsius.
To prevent food poisoning, the following six major prevention rules must be followed: ▲ washing hands ▲ cooking thoroughly ▲ boiling food ▲ cleaning and disinfecting ▲ using separate utensils ▲ maintaining proper storage temperature. Last month, the MFDS also advised through materials that when preparing egg omelets and similar foods in summer, one should avoid touching ingredients with bare hands and be cautious of cross-contamination.
An MFDS official stated, "We will thoroughly manage group meal services exposed to the risk of mass food poisoning," and added, "We also plan to conduct promotional activities so that many people can avoid food poisoning."
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