"Chew and Spit Out, It Was a Cockroach"… Controversy Over Foreign Substance at Kyungpook National University Student Cafeteria

Foreign Substances Found Repeatedly at Daegu Kyungpook National University Cafeteria
Student Council Forms TF Team... Official Admits "It Is Indeed Bugs"

Serious hygiene issues have been raised regarding the school meals provided at Kyungpook National University, a four-year national university located in Daegu. Various foreign substances have been found in the meals. So far, the foreign substances claimed to have been found in the school meals include cockroaches, hair, and live snails.

A bug appeared in the Kyungpook National University student cafeteria.
[Photo by Kyungpook National University Everytime]

On the 29th, a post was uploaded on the 'Everytime' free board of Kyungpook National University, reporting that a cockroach was found in a meal served at the university cafeteria. Everytime is a university community platform that only enrolled students of the university can join after separate verification. Student A said, "I was eating at the school cafeteria, and while chewing, something got caught, so I spat it out wondering 'What is this?' and a bug came out."

In the photo released by A, a dead bug can be seen on the side of an omelet rice bowl topped with sausage. To consider other students who might not see the bug, A attached a 'sticker' covering the bug to publicize the incident. A explained the situation, saying, "It was a cockroach about the size of a fingernail," and "I immediately ran to the restroom and vomited."

A bug appeared in the Kyungpook National University student cafeteria.
[Photo by Kyungpook National University Everytime]

This is not the first time foreign substances have been found in Kyungpook National University’s school meals. According to the dormitory student council, foreign substances were found in the dinner served on the 12th of last month, and it was later revealed that hair was found in the salted jajangbap on the 10th. In March, a live snail was also found in a salad.

As incidents of foreign substances in school meals continue, students have formed a task force (TF) team and are demanding a response from the school. The student council of the university stated, "Not only foreign substances but also the use of expired food products and early depletion of ingredients have revealed many shortcomings in the operation of the school meals," adding, "The student council has formed a TF team and is demanding the school take active measures."

"It is true that a cockroach was found... We will strive to prevent recurrence"

An official from the university acknowledged in a phone interview with Asia Economy, "After internal verification, it is true that foreign substances such as cockroaches were found in the school meals." The official continued, "We are currently investigating the circumstances under which the bug appeared and are considering countermeasures through several meetings," adding, "We have been working to prevent recurrence immediately after the issue became public. First, we conducted hygiene training for the staff who served the food without noticing the bug, and we will do our best to ensure this does not happen again."

The official claimed, "We conduct pest control every month," but added, "The student cafeteria dishes are washed in a dishwasher and then placed in large baskets for serving. It is presumed that the bug got in during that process." The official also said, "The bug did not directly get into the food. Probably, the student saw the bug that was on the plate." Furthermore, the official refrained from commenting on other incidents, saying, "The cockroach was found in the Information Center cafeteria (commonly called 'Bap Center'). However, Kyungpook National University has many student cafeterias, and since the snails and hair were not found in our cafeteria, it is difficult to respond to those cases."

Bug Controversy at Kyung Hee University International Campus Cafeteria

Insect found in Kyung Hee University student cafeteria.
[Photo by Kyung Hee University International Campus Everytime]

There have been several cases of foreign substances found in school meals at other universities as well. Last year, claims were made that bugs, cable ties, nails, and other foreign substances were repeatedly found in the student cafeteria at Kyung Hee University International Campus. Facing severe criticism, Kyung Hee University expressed "deep regret regarding the hygiene issues at the student cafeteria that have become a social controversy," and apologized, stating, "We plan to implement immediate corrective measures and improvement plans to prevent recurrence."