Gwangju Seo-gu Conducts Hygiene Inspections of Children's Preferred Food Preparation and Sales Establishments

Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City (Mayor Kim Ikang) has taken steps to create a safe and healthy food purchasing environment for children in preparation for the spring school opening.

Seo-gu formed an inspection team consisting of 25 members, including dedicated managers for children's preferred foods and responsible public officials, and announced on the 29th that from the 26th to the 29th, they conducted hygiene inspections on 267 children's preferred food cooking and sales establishments such as school and academy area convenience stores, snack bars, bakeries, stationery stores, and convenience stores located within food safety protection zones.

Seogu District is conducting hygiene inspections targeting children's favorite food preparation and sales establishments.
[Photo by Seogu]

The main inspection items included ▲ hygienic management of cooking facilities ▲ use, cooking, sale, and storage of raw materials past the consumption (distribution) expiration date ▲ compliance with refrigeration and freezing temperature standards ▲ measurement and inspection of edible oil rancidity ▲ sale of high-calorie, low-nutrition foods and high-caffeine-containing foods ▲ sale of foods harmful to children's emotional health. Seo-gu took on-site guidance measures for minor issues and plans to take administrative actions according to relevant laws for clear violations.

Seo-gu also promoted a hygiene management campaign providing guidance on proper apron wearing, wearing hygiene masks, and sterilization and disinfection methods of kitchen utensils to encourage voluntary inspections through emphasizing hygiene awareness among business operators.

Lee Sangyong, Director of the Health and Hygiene Division, said, “To eradicate illegal and substandard foods around schools and academies, we will do our best to manage safe children's dietary habits by continuously inspecting after the school opening and encouraging voluntary inspections through raising hygiene awareness.”

Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Shin Dongho baekok@asiae.co.kr