Incheon City announced on the 20th that it has expanded the number of bakeries participating in the "Sugar Reduction" program to supply consumers with healthier bread containing less sugar.
Among the 19 bakeries selected last year, the city re-designated 17 after conducting surveys and sample inspections, and this year designated a total of 33 bakeries as sugar-reduced bakeries, including 16 newly added locations.
The city designated bakeries evenly across districts so that citizens can purchase sugar-reduced bread anytime at local bakeries: 2 each in Jung, Dong, and Gyeyang districts, 3 in Michuhol district, 4 each in Yeonsu and Bupyeong districts, 11 in Namdong district, and 5 in Seo district.
The reason Incheon City is promoting the sugar reduction project is due to the high diabetes diagnosis rate and low blood sugar awareness rate among Incheon citizens.
According to the "2022 Regional Health Statistics" released by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the diabetes diagnosis rate for those aged 30 and over in Incheon was 9.3%, ranking 2nd among the 17 metropolitan cities and provinces nationwide. The blood sugar awareness rate was 23.3%, ranking 15th among the 17 metropolitan cities and provinces.
Incheon City supports sugar reduction technology for small-scale bakeries that wish to operate sugar-reduced programs and is expanding sugar-reduced bakeries through on-site evaluations including hygiene management within the stores to ensure the distribution of healthier bread with reduced sugar.
Designated bakeries receive support such as sugar reduction signboards and bakery food boxes for selling sugar-reduced bread, and are promoted on the Incheon Tour website to assist with publicity and marketing.
An official from Incheon City stated, "We expect this to establish a foundation for small-scale bakeries to produce and sell healthy bread, enhance technological competitiveness, and contribute to improving citizens' health."
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