Joint Inspection Completed at 37 Daycare Group Meal Facilities from May 7 to 27 to Prevent Food Safety Incidents in Advance
All Facilities Found to Be in Good Condition, Including Compliance with Food Poisoning Prevention Guidelines, Ingredient Expiry Checks, Hygienic Food Handling Standards, and Cleaning and Disinfection Management
Seongdong-gu in Seoul (District Mayor Jung Wonoh) announced that it has conducted a joint inspection of group meal facilities at local daycare centers to prevent food safety incidents such as food poisoning in advance.
This inspection was carried out to create a safe meal environment for children, in response to growing concerns over food poisoning due to changes in eating habits, such as the development of dining-out culture and the increase in group meals. From May 7 to May 27, the district completed inspections of 37 group meal facilities at daycare centers, which were selected as the targets for the first half of the year, out of a total of 61 such facilities in the area.
The inspection team consisted of eight members, including four public officials from the Seongdong-gu Health and Hygiene Division and four consumer food hygiene monitors, divided into four groups.
The main inspection items included: ▲ compliance with food poisoning prevention guidelines ▲ whether food ingredients exceeded their consumption period ▲ compliance with hygienic handling standards for food ▲ management of cleaning and disinfection of meal facilities and equipment. After collecting and testing frequently served cooked foods at the group meal facilities, all were found to be in good hygienic condition.
In addition, the district has established management plans for more efficient food poisoning prevention. It is also focusing on various initiatives to create a safe and healthy food environment, including: ▲ operating a rapid response system and intensive management of vulnerable facilities in the event of food poisoning ▲ supporting hygiene products for group meal facilities ▲ inspecting group meal facilities at schools, kindergartens, and daycare centers at the beginning of each semester (first and second half of the year) ▲ inspecting group meal facilities outside of schools, kindergartens, and daycare centers during the summer ▲ providing diagnostic consulting services.
In particular, from June to August, when the risk of food poisoning increases due to rising temperatures, the district is conducting a "visiting food poisoning prevention puppet show" to help children develop safe eating habits and hygiene awareness at an early age.
Last year, the puppet show was held at 30 daycare centers in the district. According to a survey, there was 100% satisfaction in all areas, including overall viewing experience, handwashing education, improvement of eating habits, and willingness to participate again, indicating that the program was highly effective in helping children develop proper hygiene habits.
Jung Wonoh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, stated, "We are thoroughly carrying out prevention and inspections so that children can be safe from the risk of food poisoning," and added, "We will continue to manage thoroughly to provide a safer food environment for all residents, including children, in their daily lives."
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