Chungnam Province Steps Up Efforts to Prevent Food Poisoning During Family Month

Intensive Inspections of Food-Handling Establishments
from May 12 to May 30

Food Poisoning Prevention Promotional Poster. / Provided by Chungnam Province

Chungnam Province announced on May 7 that, in celebration of Family Month in May and in response to rising temperatures and an increase in outdoor activities, it will conduct joint inspections of food-handling establishments throughout the province from May 12 to May 30 to prevent food poisoning incidents.

The joint inspections will be carried out by 16 teams, consisting of 46 special judicial police officers from the province and cities/counties, targeting food-handling establishments located in amusement parks and tourist attractions within the province.

The main inspection items include: ▲hygiene management of cooking areas ▲management of refrigerated and frozen storage facilities ▲use and storage of food ingredients past their expiration date ▲personal hygiene management of employees, including health checkups.

Given the recent occurrence of suspected mass food poisoning cases linked to food served at local festival venues, the province also plans to significantly strengthen hygiene inspections of lunchbox manufacturers and food delivery businesses.

In particular, the inspection will focus on food poisoning-related items such as the cleanliness of cooking facilities, the personal hygiene of employees, compliance with standards for storing food ingredients, temperature control during storage and delivery of prepared foods, and whether businesses are violating regulations by engaging in operations outside their permitted business types.

If any violations are identified during the joint inspections, the province plans to take strong measures in accordance with relevant laws and regulations, including administrative penalties and, in cases where intentionality is recognized, criminal prosecution.

Yoon Taeno, Director of the Provincial Social Disaster Division, stated, "As the risk of bacterial food poisoning increases with rising temperatures, we will protect the health and safety of our residents through thorough on-site inspections."