Gyeonggi-do Supports Up to 700,000 KRW Cleaning Fee for Restaurants Designated under the Hygiene Rating System

Gyeonggi Province will support cleaning costs and other expenses for about 10,000 restaurants designated under the Restaurant Hygiene Rating System to promote a safe dining culture.

The Restaurant Hygiene Rating System has been implemented since 2017 for general restaurants, casual dining establishments, and bakeries to improve hygiene standards, prevent food poisoning, and guarantee consumers' right to choose restaurants. Designation is handled by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, while management is conducted by city and county governments.

Benefits for designated restaurants under the hygiene rating system include ▲ up to 30 million KRW loan support from the Food Promotion Fund ▲ exemption from hygiene-related inspections and visits for two years (except in cases of complaints or food poisoning incidents) ▲ provision of hygiene rating certificates and signage ▲ display of hygiene rating information on Naver and delivery apps ▲ support for hygiene supplies (varies by city/county).

Currently, Gyeonggi Province has 8,655 designated hygiene rating restaurants, and plans to designate an additional 2,102 locations this year.

To improve the re-designation rate of restaurants under the hygiene rating system, Gyeonggi Province has allocated a budget of 445.9 million KRW this year to support cleaning costs up to 700,000 KRW for designated restaurants.

The support targets restaurants designated under the hygiene rating system that have passed one year since their final hygiene rating designation date (general restaurants, casual dining establishments, bakeries).

Gyeonggi Provincial Government

Twenty-four cities and counties in the province, including Suwon, Yongin, and Goyang, are participating in this project.

Additionally, Gyeonggi Province will provide free on-site customized technical support in cooperation with the Korea Food Safety Management Certification Institute for restaurants preparing for hygiene rating evaluations.

This program offers one-on-one tailored consulting through on-site visits to help business owners easily prepare for the Restaurant Hygiene Rating System.

Restaurants wishing to participate can apply by visiting the Korea Food Safety Management Certification Institute website (www.haccp.or.kr).

Won Gong-sik, Director of the Food Safety Division of Gyeonggi Province, stated, "We plan to continuously expand the Restaurant Hygiene Rating System to prevent food poisoning and create a safe dining environment in the province."