Naju-si Selected as an 'Excellent Institution' in Provincial Evaluation for Food, Public Hygiene, and Food Culture Improvement

Naju City was selected as an excellent institution in both categories in the 2023 Jeollanam-do Food, Public Hygiene, and Food Culture Improvement Performance Evaluation, achieving a double crown.

According to Naju City on the 22nd, this is the first achievement in the food and hygiene sector in six years since 2017.

The accomplishment was recognized for efforts to create a pleasant and safe dining and lodging culture aimed at securing competitiveness in tourism readiness since the launch of the 8th local government administration.

Naju City was selected as an excellent institution (Encouragement Award) in both categories in the 2023 Jeollanam-do Food, Public Hygiene, and Food Culture Improvement Performance Evaluation.
[Photo by Naju City]

Jeollanam-do evaluated 42 indicators in two areas?creating a safe food and public hygiene environment and establishing a food culture improvement promotion system?across 22 cities and counties in the province this month.

The city achieved excellent overall results in all indicators, winning encouragement awards in both categories and securing 10 million KRW in prize money.

This year, the city conducted inspections on 4,673 hygiene establishments such as restaurants and lodging businesses within the jurisdiction, achieving 130% of the inspection performance target for compliance with hygiene management obligations and facility standards.

Additionally, the city carried out 149 cases of distribution food sample inspections, food poisoning prevention diagnostic consulting for 55 hygiene-vulnerable establishments, and three preemptive mock drills for food poisoning occurrence preparedness.

Various support policies to improve difficult business conditions caused by high prices and high oil costs have not only reduced the economic burden on business owners but also elevated the hygiene level of food and public establishments to a higher level.

The city invested 170 million KRW in facility improvements for 40 restaurants, providing up to 5 million KRW per location.

Furthermore, consulting costs for designation under the hygiene rating system (10 locations, twice each) and hygiene supplies such as aprons, hygiene caps, and washcloths were provided to 1,700 dining, lodging, and bath establishments.

The ‘Naju Bapsang’ designated establishment policy, introduced for the first time this year as a food tourism activation brand under the 8th local government administration, also contributed to creating a clean dining culture.

The city selected 22 restaurants this year as Naju Bapsang designated establishments by carefully considering taste, hygiene, service, and price, along with the three major practice pledges of ‘Health, Safety, and Consideration.’

For 30 delivery-specialized restaurants, hygiene supplies were also provided individually through the ‘Open Kitchen!’ project.

Mayor Yoon Byung-tae said, “We will continue to strive to improve food safety policies and public hygiene levels that residents and tourists can trust. Through the excellence of Naju’s food culture, which harmonizes taste and health, and the creation of a pleasant lodging environment, we will attract food tourism visitors and promote regional economic revitalization.”

Naju = Kim Yuk-bong, Honam Reporting Headquarters, Asia Economy baekok@asiae.co.kr